When a player has passed all the hoops on the one side, he makes his way round the turning-pen, and proceeds to run the hoops on the other side, in the contrary direction, but with the same restrictions and methods as before. Having passed through the last hoop, he may proceed to strike the starting-peg, which is also the winning-peg. By doing so, he is out, or "dead," and of course can play no more. If, however, he be a good player, he may considerably benefit his friends, and annoy his enemies, by becom ing a "rover," and traveling about from hoop to hoop, aiding his partners against their foes. Of course, if a rover be a clever player, the opposite side will do their best to strike his ball against the winning-peg, and so stop his further ravages. On the other hand, if he be an awkward croqueur, it is best to let him live, as his side cannot win, though all his partners be out, so long as he can be kept afield.
This description, with the aid of rules and definitions of terms, will, we fancy, enable anybody to play croquet without much trouble.
Each side should use a captain or leader to conduct the game; and it is also well that an umpire, who thoroughly understands the theory and laws of croquet, should be selected to decide disputed points.
The Arrangement of the Hoops.
Various plans for the placing of the hoops have been adopted by croquet players; but the general principles of the game are the same in all cases, whatever the shape of the ground or the disposition of the arches. The following is the original plan, and the easiest way of setting out the hoops; and a clever player may make the entire round without stopping: To set out the hoops in this fashion, drive in the starting-peg (which is also the winning-peg), and set the first hoop in a straight line from it at a distance of 12 feet. Set the second hoop 10 ft. farther on; then draw a diagonal line of 20 ft. and set up the third hoop, with the fourth hoop 10 ft. distant in a straight line, and the fifth hoop 10 ft. farther. Then draw another diagonal of 20 ft., and set up the sixth hoop imme diately opposite the second; carry the seventh hoop 10 ft. back in a straight line, and fix the turning-peg 12 ft. back, to correspond with the starting-peg. Afterwards, complete the other side in precisely the same way. Thus, the order of play will be from the starting-peg to hoop 1, and so on to the turning-peg, and thence back to the winning-peg. The perfect lines show the onward march of the balls, and the dotted lines their return. This arrangement is carried through all the diagrams here given.
Of course the distance from hoop to hoop must be greatly governed by the space of the ground; but the proportions here indicated should be generally observed. A tape or line marked in feet or yards will be found of great assistance in setting out the hoops.
In small grounds, one of the hoops between the pegs may be dispensed with, only six hoops being then required.
Sometimes ten hoops are placed in a circle, with a cage in the middle, which arrange ment makes the game rather more difficult; sometimes two extra pegs are added; in fact, the variety of figures which may be Improvised an ingenious captain is almost endless. But whatever the number of hoops, pegs, etc., and whatever the arrangement adopted, the main elements of the game are the same.
Laws of Croquet.
The following rules are those known as the Conference Code, drawn up by a meet ing of the secretaries of various clubs, and the recognized standard in all public games: 1. Mallets.—There shall be no restriction as to the number, weight, size, shape, or material of the mallets; nor as to the attitude or position of the striker; nor as to the part of the mallet held, provided the ball be not struck with the handle, nor the mace stroke used.
2. Size of Balls.—The balls used in match-play shall be 31 in. in diameter.
3. Choice of Lead and of Balls.—It shall be decided by lot which side shall have choice of lead and of balls. In a succession of games the choice of lead shall be alternate, the sides keeping the same balls.
4. Commencement of commencing, each ball shall be placed on the starting spot. The striker's ball, when so placed and struck, is at once in play, and can roquet another, or be roqueted, whether it has made the first hoop or not.
5. Stroke, when taken.—A stroke is considered to be taken if a ball be moved in the act of striking; but should a player, in taking aim, move his ball accidentally, it must be replaced to the satisfaction of the adversary, and the stroke be then taken. If a ball be moved in taking aim, and then struck without being replaced, the stroke is foul (see Law 25).
6. Hoop, when run. —A ball has run its hoop when, having passed through from the playing side and ceased to roll, it cannot be touched by a straight-edge placed against the wires on the.side from which it was played.