Croquet Australia: Golf Croquet Tactics

TACTICS TAKE HOURS OF PRACTICE SO BE PREPARED TO PUT IN THE HARD YARDS

1) Blocking or hitting away, the choice.
2) The first ball to a hoop must stop on the playing side or it is wasted (more experienced players may use a different position to advantage).
3) Blocking the line of sight to the hoop of an opponent's ball to the hoop or to another ball. Hit along the line if possible and not across the line.
4) Positioning the ball, on the base line with a shot at the hoop, no-one can hit you away.
5) Position the ball at the side of a hoop to stop the opponent from setting up.
6) Running a hoop from the non-playing side to either block the hoop from being scored or to clear the hoop so it is able to be run in the next turn.
7) When to clear a hoop, ie, you don't run a hoop if the opponent is legally in front of the next hoop and he is unable to clear you, you stay in the hoop.
8) Look for "in off's".
9) Placing your ball to the side of the centre line of the hoop to prevent an "in/off".
10) Playing what I call a "Y" shot. Hitting an opponent's ball to the back of the hoop and you coming off the side of it to the playing side where you are able to run the hoop and the hoop is between you.
11) The "stun" shot. You hit the opponent away but your ball follows on to stay in front of the hoop.
12) Placing a ball in front of the hoop but out of range for the opponent's "stop shot".
13) Putting a spin on your ball when the opponent is blocking the hoop after entering the hoop from the wrong side to make your ball hit it and follow it through with spin through the hoop.
14) Promoting your partner ball either to the next hoop to defend it or to a position to run the next hoop in its next turn.
15) Placing your ball almost touching the non-playing face of the opponent's ball to stop him hitting in a direction or doing a jump shot.
16) Placing your ball almost touching the non-playing face of the opponent's ball to prevent him hitting in a direction or doing a jump shot.
17) Jumping over a ball that has blocked your line to the hoop and still score the hoop. Always remember there are many choices when you have a shot to play.
18) Placing a ball against a ball that has stuck in the hoop to prevent the opponent from doing a legal shot to score the hoop [THIS IS A LOW PERCENTAGE SHOT].
19) Advancing a ball to the next hoop off an opposition ball.
20) Advancing a partner ball to the next hoop when it hit the partner ball through a hoop and a hoop point is scored.

Christine Pont
National Director Golf Croquet
July 2007

	GOLF CROQUET TACTICS
	TACTICS TAKE HOURS OF PRACTICE SO BE PREPARED TO PUT IN THE HARD YARDS 1) Blocking or hitting away, the choice. 2) The first ball to a hoop must stop on the playing side or it is wasted (more experienced players may use a different position to advantage). 3) Blocking the line of sight to the hoop of an opponent's ball to the hoop or to another ball. Hit along the line if possible and not across the line. 4) Positioning the ball, on the base line with a shot at the hoop, no-one can hit you away. 5) Position the ball at the side of a hoop to stop the opponent from setting up. 6) Running a hoop from the non-playing side to either block the hoop from being scored or to clear the hoop so it is able to be run in the next turn. 7) When to clear a hoop, ie, you don't run a hoop if the opponent is legally in front of the next hoop and he is unable to clear you, you stay in the hoop. 8) Look for "in off's". 9) Placing your ball to the side of the centre line of the hoop to prevent an "in/off". 10) Playing what I call a "Y" shot. Hitting an opponent's ball to the back of the hoop and you coming off the side of it to the playing side where you are able to run the hoop and the hoop is between you. 11) The "stun" shot. You hit the opponent away but your ball follows on to stay in front of the hoop. 12) Placing a ball in front of the hoop but out of range for the opponent's "stop shot". 13) Putting a spin on your ball when the opponent is blocking the hoop after entering the hoop from the wrong side to make your ball hit it and follow it through with spin through the hoop. 14) Promoting your partner ball either to the next hoop to defend it or to a position to run the next hoop in its next turn. 15) Placing your ball almost touching the non-playing face of the opponent's ball to stop him hitting in a direction or doing a jump shot. 16) Placing your ball almost touching the non-playing face of the opponent's ball to prevent him hitting in a direction or doing a jump shot. 17) Jumping over a ball that has blocked your line to the hoop and still score the hoop. Always remember there are many choices when you have a shot to play. 18) Placing a ball against a ball that has stuck in the hoop to prevent the opponent from doing a legal shot to score the hoop [THIS IS A LOW PERCENTAGE SHOT]. 19) Advancing a ball to the next hoop off an opposition ball. 20) Advancing a partner ball to the next hoop when it hit the partner ball through a hoop and a hoop point is scored. Christine Pont National Director Golf Croquet July 2007

GOLF CROQUET TACTICS