Short Croquet - an introduction (and how to make roll shots)
Short Croquet (SC) is normally played on a half court, making it quicker and easier to play, skill-wise, with a game lasting only 90 minutes or less.
There is a simple handicap system (coloured marker sticks called Bisques) which each player sets in the ground, representing the number of free turns that they can elect to take at any time during the game.
Weaker players have more bisques than more accomplished players, enabling them to challenge better players, theoretically with an equal chance of winning the game.
Newcomers to SC can be provided with a starting handicap (normally 10 bisques) or with a figure derived from an exisiting GC or AC Handicap, which ever is lower.
S/C handicap card - improved layout - PDF download LINK​​
Print as a double sided A4 page onto card or thick paper (or two pieces of A4 paper stuck together to make stronger).
Then fold in half to make an A5 size handicap card.
It is recommended to have an official card for interclub matches and a separate additional card for friendly home games/mix-ins, so as to keep track of progress.
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Association Croquet (AC), Short Croquet (SC) and Garden Croquet are all basically the same game but with a variation of rules and hoops played.
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Basic sequence of play
In Short Croquet, each side (either one player or a team of two) plays two balls to run the sequence of 6 hoops and then hit the peg.
1 point per hoop/peg/ball totals 14 points to win. If timed out (normally 90 minutes) the highest score wins.
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Either of your balls may be played in one turn, but cannot be changed mid-turn.
At end of turn, you may choose to use a bisque and have another turn, allowing you to roquet any ball again and score more hoops, but it must be with the same ball.
Any number of bisques may be taken, one after another.
If playing doubles (a team of two) each player normally takes it turn to play either ball, but other methods can be used when agreed by both sides.
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The Roquet (a sequence of three shots ..... the essence of Croquet)
1. Roquet:
When your ball strikes another ball (a roquet), it becomes "a ball in hand," and you are entitled to a croquet stroke.
(If either or both balls leave the court, there is no penalty. The ball(s) are placed on the yard line and the croquet shot make be taken as normal)
2. Croquet Stroke:
You pick up your ball, place it in contact with the roqueted ball, and strike it so that both balls move. The roqueted ball must at least shake.
(If either or both balls leave the court, it is a fault. The ball(s) are placed on the yard line, and the turn ends.
3. Continuation Stroke:
After the croquet stroke, you get another stroke on your ball (the continuation stroke).
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Do watch this six minute video which simply demonstrates how to roquet, make roll shots* and explains the basic tactics of positioning balls around the court to score hoops effectively.
It is entitled How To: Transition from Golf Croquet to Association Croquet with these 3 strokes
but as mentioned above it applies directly to SC which is just a shorter version of AC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIy_08EGEZk
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* This useful animation demonstrates hand grip and mallet angles to make the various type of roll shots .....
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRG1W_PeleE​​
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Best to only read this once you have played a few games and are comfortable with the fundamentals.
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