The early history of croquet is surrounded
by about as much mystery as the building of the pyramids in Egypt.
Some believe that croquet is an ancient chinese game
while other proclaim that the sport was first played in Southern France
in the 14th century. A traditional account has Sir Frances Drake
playing a round of croquet before sailing out and defeating the Spanish
Armada in 1588. Another theory credits King Charles II with the
distinction of bringing croquet to England in 1661 following his exile
in France.
Most croquet authorities regard these statements as
scanty and conflicting and without supporting evidence. However,
everyone is in agreement that a game resembling croquet existed in
Ireland prior to 1851 when it was introduced into England. But
the question of how croquet came to Ireland remains unresolved.
Croquet arrived in the United States in the early
1860's and was popular in New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and other
Eastern states. After World War I, croquet moved into the
backyards of middle America where it gained an image as a casual game
to be played by men, women and children.
Croquet in the U.S. got a shot in he arm in the
1920's when a more competitive 9 wicket - 2 stake game was successfully
introduced in New York.
However, the New York version of croquet was no
challenging enough for a group of Louisville players. Walter R.
H. Sherman, while serving as director of recreation for parks in
Louisville went to New York in the early 1930's to observe the type of
croquet being played in Central Park. Sherman came back to
Louisville and with others drew up advanced rules based on the
experience and practice of Louisville players, together with
information that Sherman was able to gather from a canvas of public
recreation departments and commercial firms interested in the sale of
croquet equipment.
The game which was adopted in Kentucky appears to be
a brilliant blend of croquet and roque (which had been introduced about
1880 in the United States and was labeled as "scientific
croquet"). The founding fathers of "Kentucky Style Croquet"
jealously preserved the traditional 9 wicket - 2 stake system of
croquet, but added boundaries and enlarged upon the professional type
of play and finesse required in roque. In the process, they
decided to switch from grass to the sanded courts of roque.
The first state croquet championship tournament was
held in the state fairgrounds in Louisville on September 1936. In
August 1937, the Kentucky Croquet Association was chartered at
Louisville and is to this day; the oldest, continuously operating state
croquet association in the United States.
Over the years, Kentucky has been recognized far and
wide as somewhat of a stronghold for the stately game of croquet in the
U.S. Kentucky, for many years, was the only state in the entire
nation with a croquet governing body.
50 years after the formation of the Kentucky Croquet
Association, it is appropriate that croquet still be making history in
Kentucky. Croquet's being added as a sport i the 1987 Bluegrass
State Games acknowledges the fact that it has had a long and
illustrated history in this state.
- Alan P. Baker, President,
Kentucky Croquet Association &
Chairperson for Croquet,
Bluegrass State Games
Springfield, KY
June 1, 1987
While croquet may be played on any level
plot of ground, for tournament play, it is recommended that a clay
court, with a cinder foundation for drainage purposes, be
constructed. The surface of the court should be sprinkled lightly
with sand in order that the playing surface not become too
fast. The court is divided into three zones for the purpose
of prohibiting a spot ball from shooting at a ball in the same
zone. (See Rule 21 f and 22 e.)
BASKET - The Center Wickets.
ROVER BALL - One which has completed all wickets and needs only to
touch stake to go out.
ROQUET - To roquet a ball is to cause it to come in contact by a
stroke of the mallet, with some other ball, either directly or
indirectly.
CROQUET SHOT - A shot in which one ball is placed against another and
played. Ball connot be held by foot.
FOUL - A violation of a rule.
TIGHT-BALL - To tight-ball is to place one's ball against another,
holding it with his hand, and tighting the object ball away.
SPOT - (See diagram for spots.) Spots on boundary of court are where
the ball is placed after it has gone out of bounds.
BLOCKING - To block a ball is to prevent player from shooting at a
wicket or ball or in a direction in which he wants to shoot.
There should be one or more referees and a
scorekeeper. Referee is to watch players and move markers as play
advances. The scorekeeper is to keep scores and assist the
referee in watching plays and to be able to inform players whom they
are alive or dead on, if asked by player.
It is also the duty of the referee to expedite the
game. He has authority to limit time between playes, and if
necessary allow 1 or 2 minutes (by watch) before shooting. If
player fails to shoot within this time the referee must revert play to
the next shooter.
The referee or referees shall be the judge as to the
fairness in attempting to execute a play. He must also rule on
any condition of play arising not covered in these rules. A
player not willing to comply with the ruling of the referee shall
forfeit the game.
In Singles, there are two players; one plays
RED and BLUE; the other plays WHITE and BLACK.
In Doubles, there are four players; RED and
BLUE are partners; WHITE and BLACK are partners.
RULE 1 Wickets should be 5" or less
in width. (4" wickets are used by the Association.)
RULE 2 (a) There shall be no
restriction as to size, weight, or kind of mallet used.
(b) In holding mallet for stroke, the hands should not touch the head
of the mallet. To do so is a foul.
RULE 2 (c) Should a mallet or ball be
broken in play, in must be replaced and the stroke played over.
RULE 3 (a) Balls should be 3-1/2" in
diameter and weigh approximately 16 oz.
(b) The order of colors in play shall be red, white, blue and black,
but the games may be opened by playing any color first. Partners
shall always be red and blue or white and black. (See Rule 35.)
RULE 4 Partners can be on the court at the
smae time and consult each other while one of them is playing.
Opponents msut remain off the court until it is their turn to
play. The referee must enforce this rule.
RULE 5 (a) To decide the order of
play and choice of balls, players should lag to a line drawn by the
referee. The balls should be shot simultaneously, and the player,
the center of whose ball rests nearer the line, shall have the choice
of play and balls.
(b) The starting ball shall be placed on the starting spot and shall be
stroked through the first wicket. If the ball fails to make the
first wicket, the ball is in play and "Live" on all other balls.
Every player in starting shall have a clear and full shot through the
first wicket. If not, he can play any interfering ball. In
event any part of another ball is within parallel line running straight
back from inside first wicket the player shall have the privilege of
shooting at the ball as though already in full play.
(c) If player fails to make the first wicket and playing ball contacts
another ball, he can take play from same.
RULE 6 (a) A point is made whenever
a ball, as a result of fair play by a player, his partner, or his
opponent, make an arch or hits a stake in proper sequence. (See
graph in front of book.) Every point thus made must be
counted.
(b) Each player has sixteen points to make, the basket and stakes
counting one point each going out and returning. (c) Making a
point for an opponent or for a partner does not cause the playing ball
to become alive on a dead ball.
RULE 7 (a) A player shall receive an
extra stroke for each wicket, basket or stake made fairly and in proper
sequence.
(b) However, when making two wickets on his first shot of the game,
player gets two shots to continue playing.
RULE 8 There shall be four colored
markers: red, white, blue, and black, with coloring easily
distinguishable, used to indicate properly the progress of each
player's ball. The marker shall be placed on right side on top of the
wicket next to be made, except at basket, where markers should be
placed on wire running lengthwise of the court, markers slanting in
direcition the ball enters the basket and placed so as not to interfere
with a ball rolling on the ground. When a player makes a point,
the referee may remove the marker and carry it with him, placing it on
the proper wicket or post when player has finished.
RULE 9 A stroke is to hit the ball
with the face of the mallet.
RULE 10 (a) It is not a foul if a player,
preparatory to playing a ball not in close position, acccidentally
touches the ball with his mallet or person before he makes the stroke,
but the ball must be replaced. The referee should be the
judge.
(b) A stroke begins wiht the movement of the mallet forward or
backward, whichever is the custom of each individual player. To
hit any ball with the mallet after the player has begun his swing or
stroke is a foul, except to hit his own ball with the face of the
mallet (either end-forward stroke); then it is a fair stroke.
(c) It is not a foul to stroke the ball in any manner so long as the
ball does not jump an arch or another ball.
RULE 11 A player may stop his
playing ball after it counts upon a ball, if it is clearly apparent
that it will not again come in contact with another ball: and it is not
a foul if under those circumstances it should strike his foot, person,
mallet, or clothing.
RULE 12 A referee or scorekeeper
should prevent a player from shooting out of turn, however, if a plyer
should play out of turn, all balls are returned to their original
position regardless of when the mistake is discovered, and the rightful
player takes his turn. (If game is over when mistake is
discovered - game counts.)
RULE 13 (a) When a player roquets a
ball, the player must tight-ball or croquet it. If he croquets
it, he must cause the roqueted ball to move away from the playing ball,
however, slightly. The player is entitled to another shot after
the croquet shot.
(b) When taking play from a ball, the player must not strike his ball
twice, nor give it a second impetus. (See Rule 34 e.)
(c) In preparing to croquet a ball it is a foul if the balls are moved
and not replaced by the referee before croqueting. It is not a
foul if player touches the opponent's ball with his hand in freezing
them, or taps them lightly with his mallet in order to freeze
them. (See Rule 13 h and 34 n.)
(d) When a roqueted, croqueted, or a tight-ball rolls into another ball
and stops so it occupies any part of the space occupied by the ball it
rolls into, the ball moved must be replaced, moving the roqueted ball
back behind the ball moved from the direction it came. (This rule
is an exception to the rule that says you cannot move a ball.)
(e) If in making a croquet the playing ball hits a dead ball it does
not count, but if it hits a live ball it takes play from it. Or
if an object ball hits a live or dead ball it is not a foul; therefore,
play continues as though the said ball had not been hit. The live
or dead ball so struck is to be replaced, except as in Rule 13 f.
(f) When croqueting a roqueted ball in close play or contact, if the
playing ball hits the third ball, the player can take play there from;
however, if the third ball is moved by the roqueted ball it is a foul
if player has gained an advantage. If it is moved in making a
tight-ball shot by the roqueted ball, hand, or playing ball it is a
foul. (If play is made away from third ball and it settles back
it is not a foul.)
(g) If a ball is lying against or nearly against an arch and should be
moved by a ball or mallet, etc., hitting the arch, it should be
replaced.
(h) No player shall pound any ball into the ground to gain an
advantage, except as in Rule 13 c. To do so is a foul.
(i) When making a croquet, balls should be touching each other.
(j) Players cannot requet or croquet a ball through a wicket when there
is not clearance. (See Rule 26 b.)
(k) If a player hits a ball and does not realize he has hit it, the
referee should tell the player he hit the ball.
RULE 14 If a player by roquet shot
hits two or more balls, that are on the court, play must be taken from
the first ball hit, provided it was a live ball. If two or more
live balls are hit simultaneously, a player has his choice of either to
play from, and the other balls must be replaced.
RULE 15 A player in each turn of
play is at liberty to count upon each of the other balls once only
before making a point. After each point made for his playing
ball, he is again alive on all the balls.
RULE 16 If a player makes a
point for his own playing ball, and afterward with the same stroke hits
a ball on the court, he must take the point and play the ball.
RULE 17 If a ball counts upon
another ball, and afterward at same stroke makes a point, for the
playing ball, the player must take play from the ball and reject the
point. If the point were for a partner's ball, or for an
opponent's ball, it shall count, except as in Rule 26 b.
RULE 18 If a playing ball makes two
or more points for itself at the same stroke, all points count, but the
player has only the same privilege of stroke as if it made but one,
except for first two wickets made on first stroke of game.
RULE 19 A player continues to play so long as his ball makes a
point for the playing ball, or counts upon another ball.
RULE 20 A ball should be considered out of bounds when more than
half of the ball is over the line.
RULE 21 (a) If player shoots out of
bounds or knocks his partner out of bounds, the ball going out is
placed on spot on the boundary line in the zone the ball went
out, If he knocks his opponent out, opponent has the choice of
going on the spot or on line where he went out.
RULE 21 (b) On a roquet or croquet
shot, player and his partner both go out of bounds, both go on separate
spots nearest to where the balls went out, (Player takes nearest
unoccupied spot and partner next nearest unocccupied spot.) If
player and opponent go out of bounds, player goes on the spot in the
zone he went out, and the opponent on the line where he went out.
(c) An object ball roqueted or croqueted out of bounds shall be
returned to the court (see Rule 21 a) and play ceases. A player
is not dead on a ball roqueted out of bounds, but is dead on ball
croqueted out of bounds.
(d) A playing ball going out of bounds and returning to boundary spot,
cannot continue play until the next regular turn.
(e) A ball on the boundary spot cannot shoot at any other ball, wicket
or post in that zone, if placed on spot by the player or partner.
(f) A player cannot shoot at his partner's ball on a spot if his
partner shot the ball off the court, but can do so if placed on a spot
by the opponent.
RULE 22 (a) When a referee is
placing a ball on spot, the ball should be placed against the boundary
line.
(b) All balls taken off spot or boundary by a roquet or croquet shot
must be returned to spot or boundary before player takes a play
therefrom. The playing ball is placed on the spot.
(c) If a ball, shot off the spot, hits a ball which it is dead on, the
ball goes back on the spot and the balls moved on the stroke are
replaced, but the offending ball, although brought back on the spot, is
declared officially off the spot and can play on any live ball on
entire court on its next shot. A ball, shot off the spot, hitting
a live ball in the same zone, stays where it rolls, but the ball hit is
replaced, and play ceases; however, player is still alive on ball hit.
(d) When shooting off the spot there must be ball clearance.
(e) If a ball is stopped on an imaginary line separating the zones
(wickets are used to form an imaginary line) a player on either spot
can shoot at the ball if any part of it is touching this line.
RULE 23 When a ball goes out of
bounds and the boundary spot is occupied or partially occupied by
another ball, the last ball out of bounds will take the spot on the
opposite side of the court in the same zone. If both spots in the
same zone are occupied, the last ball will be placed on nearest spot
where it went out.
RULE 24 If a ball is played or
driven under an arch from the wrong direction and rests so that a
straight edge laid against the arch on the side from which it came
fails to touch it, it is in position to run that arch in the right
direction. (See Rule 25.)
RULE 25 If any part of a ball has
been placed under any portion of an arch in order to take play from
another ball, it is not in position to run that arch unless after
taking play it rests in position as determined by Rule 24.
RULE 26 (a) A ball running its arch in the
right direction is through when a straight edge laid across the arch on
the side from which the ball came does not touch the ball.
(b) A player cannot count a point for his or his partner's ball on a
roquet or croquet shot if his or his partner's ball cannot clear the
wicket or basket before touching a ball. (See Rule 13.)
(c) He cannot block a wicket, basket or a ball but once (this applies
to each wicket or point). In attempting to make a wicket or
basket, if the player fails in a wicket (fails to make wicket), this
would be considered a block. If he failed to make the point on
his next shot, and if an opponent wanted to play for the wicket or
basket then he must give clearance (see Rule 26d, which applies to any
blocking).
(d) If player fails to make wicket on his next shot after he has
blocked it, the ball will be replaced and he must shoot in some other
direction but not at another ball, nor can he make a point for himself
on this shot.
RULE 27 (a) If a ball, in making an arch,
does not hit a ball or stake, and rolls back, through or under the
arch, so that a straight edge applied touches it, the point is not
made, but the ball is in position to run the arch.
(b) Should the ball hit the stake, roll back through or under the arch,
the point is not made. If the ball hit was a live ball, player
takes play from it; if a dead ball, his play ceases and all balls shall
be replaced, and his stroke is lost.
RULE 28 (a) When a player is making a
stroke, no one should attempt to speak to him or attract his
attention. Should an opponent do so, or stay on the bed of the
court, the referee may replace all moved and have the player repeat the
stroke.
(b) If a ball is stopped or diverted from its course by an opponent,
the player may repeat the shot. If stopped by a partner or the
player, it shall constitute a foul on the player who made the shot.
(c) If a ball is stopped, or diverted from its course by any person
directly or indirectly, the shot may be repeated if other than a player.
RULE 29 (a) A player, before or during his
play, may require (if possible) that any damage to ball, ground, or
arches be repaired, or rectified, but no court shall be redressed
during a game without the consent of all players.
(b) No player shall mark the surface of the court, during the game, in
order to apparently aid him in directing his shot. (The player
may be assisted by his partner by showing him where to shoot; however,
it is a foul if he fails to move from the general direction the play is
directed.)
RULE 30 A rover has the right to
play upon each of the other balls once only during each turn of play,
and may be played upon as any other ball.
RULE 31 (a) The last player out, or his
partner, will be required to make a play for his wicket or play to
separate opponents within three shots of play - his or his
partner's. After a play is made (see 31 d) play is reverted
to opponents - regardless of position of the balls. This reversal
of play shall continue throughout the game.
(b) If both partners are three times dead they do not have to make a
play.
(c) If all four balls are three times dead, then the rule of reversal
shall apply.
(d) To make a play a player must do at least one of the following:
1. Make his wicket. An exception to this rule is during the first
turn of play in the game. In this case, it will not be considered
a play if a player makes any number of wickets or points without
playing another ball. The last player out can make a play if the
requirements of 31 d are satisfied.
2. Hit any live ball without knocking it out of bounds and attempt to
make his wicket or attempt to separate opponents. If the wicket
is not made, the player has at least sacrificed getting dead on a ball
in the attempt. Merely shooting at a wicket is not a play unless
the wicket is made.
(e) A rover ball must separate opponents or gather up the balls for his
partner in order to be considered as having made a play.
(f) The penalty for failing to make a play as defined above (within
three shots) is the player responsible for making the play will be
counted dead on one additional ball. The opponents will choose
deadness.
(g) If the player whose turn it is to play is three times dead or is a
rover, the penalty for failing to make a play as defined above is as
follows: The player failing to make a play within three shots shall
forfeit his next shot and his partner may not play him during the turn
of play where the shot is forfeited.
(h) Making a play or being penalized for not making a play shall revert
the play to the opponents.
(APROVED MEMBERSHIP SEPTEMBER 84)
RULE 32 When partner balls are
rovers, the playing ball finally completes the game by taking play from
its partner's ball, driving it and the playing ball against the stake
by a single croquet shot or by a croquet shot and a direct shot in
succession, all four balls being on the court. If in the croquet
shot only the partner ball hits the stake, it is still in play, and it
must be properly on the court when the playing ball completes the
game. If a player fails in any attempt to stake out, he may, with
his last shot, play on any live ball or balls, playing the same as in
any other turn of play, except that he cannot stake out, at that turn
of play. Unless both balls hit the stake in successive shots in
one turn, or in one shot, neither shall be considered "staked out" but
both must hit the stake again. You cannot end a game on a roquet
shot.
RULE 33 (a) All balls moved by a stroke
which violates a rule, or results in the violation of a rule, must be
replaced, the play cease, and any point or points made for the
offending player or his partner, by such foul stroke shall not be
allowed. If a point is thus made for the offending player's
opponent, such point shall not be allowed. (A player loses his
turn of play if he commits a foul.)
(b) The umpire shall decide as to the fairness of a stroke after it is
made.
RULE 34 The following are foul
plays, subject to the penalty.
(a) When committing a foul all balls are to be replaced in their
original position. (Exception see Rule 26 d.)
(b) Hitting a dead ball by direct stroke. (Exception see Rule 26 d.)
(c) Taking play from a ball that has not been roqueted.
(d) Taking play from a ball and failing to move it. (Playing ball is
replaced.)
(e) When, in delivering a stroke, the player's mallet hits another
ball, making a second contact with the playing ball, or gives it a
second impetus. (Rule 13 b.)
(f) To pull, push or give second impetus. (Referee to be the judge.)
(g) When a player touches, moves, causes to be moved, stops or diverts
the movement of any ball except as provided in these rules. For
example, a player may put a ball on the court, may place his ball for
taking a croquet, may tap a ball to remove the sand, etc., but he must
not stop any ball with his mallet, person or clothing; he must not stop
any ball, except as provided in Rule 11.
(h) No player shall tap an arch wherein, or near which a ball
rests. Neither shall a player lean upon or touch an arch wherein,
or near which, a ball rests.
(i) Letting ball slip out of player's hand when tighting a ball.
(j) Hitting a ball with any part of the mallet except the face (either
end). (Except Rule 34 g and Rule 10 a and b.)
(k) A player shall not touch or move any ball during opponent's turn of
play. The penalty shall be that the opponent may replace any ball
so moved.
(l) If a player roquets a ball and then croquets the wrong ball, it is
a foul and all balls are replaced.
(m) Playing the wrong ball in doubles but not in singles.
(n) Pounding ball into the ground. (See Rule 13 c and h.)
RULE 35 In the third game of a best
of two out of three match and the fifth game of a best three out of
five game match, the players lag for the line (same as at the start of
a game) to determine who plays first. Players must retain same
balls. Red and white balls lead off. (See Rule 3.)
RULE 36 Seven innings or less will
be considered a game. An inning is one round of play (red, white,
blue and black having played). (This rule is made subject to club
adoption or to take care of special occasions.)