LESSON 1

        Single-ball shots:

         (1) The Roquet:  
        (2) The Rush:     
        (3) Running the Hoop:
        (4) The Jump shot: (when you have confidence)
        (5) The Hammer shot:  (later rather than sooner)

(1) The Roquet Shot:

        The "Roquet" shot is the basis of the game. You must hit the "Striker's" ball with your mallet having "Stalked" - lined up - and aiming at the Target ball.

        Stance - Eyes down on the Ball:
        The correct stance over the ball is taken, eyes on the ball - on the point of mallet impact. Swing parallel with the ground on striking the ball - follow through - head still down.
        NB Raising the head too soon will pull the mallet off centre. You could miss the Target ball - even if the Target ball is only a few feet away. This is the most common sin of all Croquet players.

         Success:
         If you are successful in hitting the Target ball with your Striker's ball you have made a "Roquet". This allows you to pick up your own ball - "a ball in hand" - and place it anywhere touching the "Roqueted" ball for the "Croquet" shot.

        Another One Ball Shot:
        Following that Roquet, and the following two ball Croquet Shot, you have another one ball free shot that is called a "Continuation" shot. This hopefully, will be a Roquet or Hoop run.
        When  you have played at another ball and hit it too, you again have made a Roquet etc etc.
        You can hit each and any of the other three balls only once in your turn for a Roquet. Unless you have run a "Hoop". Running a Hoop makes all balls alive again

        Scoring a Hoop:
        By running a Hoop you start all over again, alive on all  the other three balls for a Roquet. In this way you can go around the court, making each of the Hoops in their turn. With a series of Roquet, then a Croquet and then a Continuation shot. you can make a break.

        If you Miss:
        If you miss the Roquet shot your turn ends. Unless you have successfully run your Hoop. In which case, you have a free (Continuation) shot to make a new Roque on all the, now live, balls.

       NB. In a successful Roquet shot either ball can go off the court - the Target ball to be repositioned at the one yard line adjacent the point of exit. Croquet is taken there in any position with that ball.

       Remember!  A Roquet made within two metres is good practice - a Roquet at twenty five metres is lots more practice, a bit of luck and a good court - and wind from the South.

        (2) THE RUSH:

        (a)     The "straight rush" is when you fire your ball at the Target ball to obtain a Roquet. At the same time, to position that Target ball forward to where you want to position it, say, in front of the next Hoop or ball.
         To be fairly sure of success with a "rush" the two balls (Striker ball and Target ball) should be within a metre of each other. It matters not where the Striker ball goes.  It becomes a "ball in hand" to be positioned next to the rushed Roqueted ball.

        Take up your Position:
        Take the normal stance for a Roquet shot. Then, step back, raise the toe of the mallet about a finger's width and swing through parallel to the ground. Hit  the Striker's ball a little below the centre at 4 o'clock. This imparts a clockwise spin about the horizontal axis. When this hits the Target ball that ball will "mesh" and spin anticlockwise on the horizontal axis for more distance.
        By hitting the Striker's ball at 4 o'clock (i.e. below the centre) the ball is not forced down into the ground. It could otherwise jump over the Target ball.  If so you missed = your out.

        Getting Somewhere:
        Remember! A good rush can get both balls a long way across a lawn  - although the Striker's ball is in "the hand"

             (Continued Right Column)

Cut Rushes Should be left for the Butcher:
 

       (b)     The "cut rush" is made when you angle your Striker ball to hit the Target ball off centre. The Target ball then goes at an angle or "cut" to a position you have predetermined for your Tactics.
        This is done when the balls are reasonably close together. In this case, two spins are imposed on the Target ball. One is similar to the above, gaining distance in a straight line. The other is a slight spin about the perpendicular axis (like the earth's rotation) This will only take effect when the Target ball has slowed. It will then brake or pull to the left or right depending on which side of the Target ball was hit.

         A Long Rush goes Anywhere:
         (c)     The "long rush" is when the two balls in play are beyond a metre apart. A "long or long cut rush" needs a lot of practice, a good court and lots of good luck!
          Remember! When the balls are close together it is natural to stand too close. In which case you might drive your ball into the ground and jump over the Target ball. Take a small step back, tilt the toe of the mallet up, and follow through - parallel to the ground.

         Do not lift your head to sticky beak or you could miss cue and miss the Target ball all together . Head down!

         (3)  Running the Hoop:
         The "Hoops" are slightly larger than the balls. [1/4" and down to 1/8" (6mm - 3mm)]  They can be "run" successfully from about 45 degrees either side of dead centre.  Even a straight shot at the Hoop should still be "Stalked".  With little enough back swing and with follow through, eyes focused on the point of the ball to be hit by the mallet and you will make it..
 

        With practice you will be able to control the ideal position for the ball, after running the Hoop, for the Continuation shot.  The ideal is to locate the Target ball down stream (usually) from the Hoop while, at the same time, putting your Striker's ball within an easy shot at the Hoop. With control, it will come to rest away from the Hoop for an easy and useful shot on the Target ball.

          Positioning for the Hoop Exit:
          The Roqueted ball will stop either                              (1) in front or                                                                          (2) behind the Hoop.                                                               

(1)         The croquet shot is either a stop, split and or roll to get the Striker's ball a foot in front of the Hoop. Then, place the Target ball five or six feet on the other side of the Hoop and in line for a rush to the next Hoop. Run the Hoop and you continue your break.
        

(2)        If the rushed/Roqueted ball goes past the Hoop a Take Off is necessary. This will position the Striker's ball a foot in front of the Hoop. At the same time Target ball is waiting or positioned to be rushed to the next Hoop.
 

        Remember! When positioning a ball for a rush type Roquet for after running the Hoop, that it is put into a position that is easily played. If  too close to the Hoop it  is an awkward shot. It may be Roqueted on exit from the Hoop. In which case you miss out on the Continuation shot which could have been used in a rush on the Target ball.

         (4) THE JUMP SHOT:
          This is a "professional shot" used to impress. You stand over the ball and hit down sharply - trying to bury the ball in the lawn. Instead, it will rebound upwards and forward. Veerry impressive if you succeed in jumping a ball, Hoop or Peg (or Boeing 747)

         Wide Hoop Shots:
         On second thoughts it's just the trick for bouncing your ball through the Hoop when wide and up too close. In fact, when running the Hoop close up, it is sometimes advantageous to jump your ball. By standing further up and bringing the mallet down at about 2 o'clock it will put top spin on the ball. This will drag you through the Hoop if you hit a Hoop leg.
         It sometimes works on acute angled shots at Hoops too - but try not to damage the court. The correct way is to hit down, then up, before the mallet hits the ground. In golf, divots are OK and expected - but not in Croquet
 

         (5) The Hammer Shot:
         This shot is done with your back to the Target ball. Bring the mallet down on the Striker's ball like a hammer strike. Used only when the physical surroundings inhibit a normal swing e.g. near a Hoop or the Peg. Your feet then become your aiming or sight line so place them well.

        NB. (1) Hammer shots are watched by Referees as they are very likely to be double tap foul shots.

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