NEVER go right into a corner.
REASON: If at any time you have to return to your ball near
a corner you will have a rush instead of having to perform a croquet
stroke,
usually leaving one ball behind. At any time you may have a lift if you
have a wired ball, and if your ball is in a corner near a baulk
theresultant
rush is invaluable.
NEVER end your break by making the last hoop of your break
off
your partner ball.
REASON: It is very material to be able to finally rush your
other ball to a suitable spot on the court to set up.
NEVER lay up by leaving a double.
REASON: So doing makes an excellent target for your opponent.
NEVER, when taking a shot, take your eye off the ball until
it
has left your mallet.
REASON: So doing always results in a faulty shot.
NEVER take off from a boundary ball before first thinking 'Do
I want the object ball to remain on the boundary line or a little way
out
from it?'
REASON: If you have to return to the boundary it is most
advantageous
to have a rush along the boundary or into the court.
NEVER make a short roquet without approximately fixing the
spot
to which you propose to drive the object ball.
REASON: This obviates the possibility of a stymie by hoop, peg
or ball and also regulates the distance required for a stop shot in
your
succeeding shot.
NEVER make a shot without deciding what your next shot is to
be if you are entitled to one.
REASON: The shot succeeding your current one is just as
important
as your current one.
NEVER neglect to use your brains in every shot you make.
REASON: Your greatest asset in playing croquet is 'brains'.
NEVER position the object ball so as to cause hoop and roquet
in the same stroke.
REASON: Doing so prevents regulation on the object ball after
running the hoop, e.g. prevents getting a rush.
NEVER complete your turn by laying a rush to nowhere.
REASON: You should always choose a definite direction to which
the rush is to be made.
NEVER underestimate your opponent's ability to defeat you.
REASON: This has often ended in disaster for the lower
handicapped
player.
NEVER neglect to make up your mind before you make your
second
last hoop how you are going to lay up for your other ball.
REASON: This facilitates the wiring of the opponent's balls
in your leave.
NEVER neglect to concentrate on every shot you make, and
especially
on the short roquets.
REASON: The player who makes the least mistakes will usually
win the game.
[And I would add:
NEVER join up when your opponents are joined up.
REASON: Then your opponent can roquet partner, takeoff,
roquet one of your joined balls, takeoff, and rush your other joined
ball
to be a receiver.]