Impasse Regulation

The ACA Executive asked the ACA Laws Committee to determine a suitable Impasse Regulation. The following has been inserted into the ACA Association Croquet Regulations (Regulation 16) and will operate on a trial basis for the next 2 years:

If a game has reached a situation where, in the judgment of the referee, neither side is making any noticeable progress, the referee may rule that there is an impasse. He should determine which player last scored a hoop or peg point for himself, and at the start of a turn of that player he should announce that the following impasse procedure will begin:

(a). Each player will be permitted to play three further turns, after which, if the referee rules that there still has been no progress, then in the fourth turn the player who last scored a hoop or peg point will be entitled to an "optional lift or contact" as provided under Law 36(b).

(b) This procedure can be applied at any stage of the game and irrespective of the clip positions or the number of balls remaining in the game.

Note: It is not necessary for a point to be scored or a roquet made in order for "progress" to have been made. Any substantial change in the on-court situation should be accepted as an indication that the original impasse no longer exists, though it is possible that another impasse could occur at a later stage of the game.

For doubles play, "player" in the above should be understood to mean "side", as provided under Law 40(c).