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Croquet

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Croquet is a precise sport played on a grass court.

Croquetplayers
Croquetplayers

Players use a mallet to strike balls made of wood, plastic, or composite materials. The goal is to hit these balls through hoops, which are called "wickets" in the United States. While similar games have been recorded since the late Middle Ages, the modern sport was codified in England during the 1860s. Today, it is a global activity played by people of all genders and ages. The sport is highly competitive and features professional players from many different nations.

The mechanics of croquet involve strategic movement and scoring through specific actions. In most versions, individual players or teams take turns striking their balls. Scoring occurs when a ball passes through a hoop. The game continues until a player or team reaches a predetermined number of points. Players must master the physics of the strike to control the ball's speed and direction. This skill allows them to navigate the layout of the lawn effectively.

Association croquet is one of the primary versions of the game.

Män och kvinnor spelar krocket framför hus på Lidingö - Nordiska Museet - NMA.0040765
Män och kvinnor spelar krocket framför hus på Lidingö - Nordiska Museet - NMA.0040765

In this version, two individuals or teams each play with two balls. The objective is to strike each ball through six hoops in both directions and then hit a central peg. This process can result in a maximum score of 26 points. Players can earn extra shots through two specific methods. A hoop point grants one extra shot. A "roquet," which is hitting another ball, grants two extra shots. After a roquet, the player performs a "croquet" stroke by placing their ball against the hit ball and striking both. This is followed by a "continuation" shot from where the balls stop.

Golf croquet is another major variation that is growing very quickly.

2014 BL Wetherby Yorkshire Prof 15
2014 BL Wetherby Yorkshire Prof 15

This version is known for its simplicity and high level of competition. Players aim to reach a target score, which is typically seven points. Points are earned by being the first to run a hoop. Unlike association croquet, golf croquet emphasizes strategic skills and accurate shot-making over a wide variety of complex shots. Games are shorter and balls are often hit with more force. Players may even use a "jump" shot to intentionally bounce their ball over another.

In North America, American six-wicket croquet is a dominant form of the game.

CroquetConverse4037
CroquetConverse4037

This version grew from local "backyard" traditions and is governed by the United States Croquet Association. It uses a six-wicket layout and a 26-point scoring system similar to association croquet. However, it has unique rules, such as a fixed sequence of play for ball colors: blue, red, black, and yellow. It also features a concept called "deadness." This refers to a limitation on how many times a ball can be roqueted between hoop points. If a ball goes out of bounds, the rules for replacing it are more restrictive than in other versions.

Nine-wicket croquet is a more complex variant played mainly in the United States and Canada. This version uses nine wickets, two stakes, and up to six balls. The course follows a double-diamond pattern. Players must navigate the diamond shape and hit the stakes to finish. In "Cutthroat" individual play, the first person to stake out wins. In partnership play, players can act as a "Rover" to assist teammates. This version also includes a unique "poison" endgame. In this mode, a player who has scored the last wicket becomes a "poison ball." This ball can eliminate others by roqueting them, but it is also at risk of being eliminated if it hits a stake.

Croquet has a rich international history and a structured competitive scene.

Louise Abbéma - A Game of Croquet
Louise Abbéma - A Game of Croquet

The World Croquet Federation (WCF) governs international competition. The sport has strong followings in the UK, Spain, the US, Australia, New Zealand, and Egypt. Every four years, top countries compete for the MacRobertson Shield in association croquet and the Openshaw Shield in golf croquet. In 2013, Reg Bamford of South Africa made history by becoming the first person to hold both the association and golf croquet world titles simultaneously. Croquet has even appeared in the Olympic Games, including the 1900 Summer Olympics and the 1904 Olympics for the American variation known as Roque.

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🖼️ Images & Media (12)
File:Wyczółkowski Game of croquet.jpg
Wyczółkowski Game of croquet.jpg
File:Croquetplayers.jpg
Croquetplayers.jpg
File:2014 BL Wetherby Yorkshire Prof 15.jpg
2014 BL Wetherby Yorkshire Prof 15.jpg
File:Pall Mall - Project Gutenberg eText 14315.jpg
Pall Mall - Project Gutenberg eText 14315.jpg
File:EarlyCroquetSportsofPeopleofEnglandStrutt.jpg
EarlyCroquetSportsofPeopleofEnglandStrutt.jpg
File:Män och kvinnor spelar krocket framför hus på Lidingö - Nordiska Museet - NMA.0040765.jpg
Män och kvinnor spelar krocket framför...
File:Eglington1.JPG
Eglington1.JPG
File:CroquetConverse4037.JPG
CroquetConverse4037.JPG
File:Croquet Player, 1959.jpg
Croquet Player, 1959.jpg
File:Edouard Manet 012.jpg
Edouard Manet 012.jpg
File:Louise Abbéma - A Game of Croquet.jpg
Louise Abbéma - A Game of Croquet.jpg
File:Alice par John Tenniel 30.png
Alice par John Tenniel 30.png
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