A simple introduction

“Association” Croquet, or “AC” for short, is played with four balls, Blue and Black versus Red and Yellow. The aim of the game is quite simple: You have to take your side’s two balls through a series of 12 hoops in a set order (in fact the lawn has 6 physical hoops but you must go through each of them in both directions) and then hit them against the centre peg before your opponent. You get a point for each hoop and a point for the peg so the winner is therefore the side which scores all 12 hoops for both balls, and then hits them both against the centre peg for a total of 26 points.

If a ball scores its hoop, it earns another shot.

If it hits one of the other three balls, known as making a “roquet”, it earns another two shots.

The first of those two extra shots is called a “croquet” shot. For this, you pick up your ball, place it touching the other ball, and hit it, so that both balls move. Play the croquet shot well, and you can send the other ball somewhere useful and your ball close enough to the next hoop or another ball to earn more bonus shots. You then use your second extra shot either to run the next hoop or to hit one of the other two remaining balls. You can use each of the other three balls once before scoring your next hoop whereupon the sequence starts all over again. If you run out of shots, your turn ends and your opponent has their turn. Skilful players can string together a series of bonus shots, and score several hoops in one turn, known as making “a break” (like in snooker).

For anyone with a basic knowledge of the game, there is a highly recommended 3D simulation available at http://www.oxfordcroquet.com/coach/3d/index.asp

Handicaps

The AC handicap system is based on extra turns, called “bisques”. Weaker players receive a number of these bisques, and can use them to help score hoops or roquet the other balls.

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A more detailed description of the basic AC rules in plain English is here.

For the official Laws of Association Croquet, visit the Croquet Association website.

For coaching advice, visit Oxford Croquet which focuses on the skills and tactics of Association Croquet from beginner level to advanced play.