PART 1
INTRODUCTION
C. DEFINITIONS
5. A STROKE AND THE STRIKING PERIOD
A STROKE A stroke is the striker's attempt to hit a ball in play with a mallet as part of his turn, or declaration that he will leave the ball where it lies. A stroke includes any resulting movement of balls in play.
THE STRIKING PERIOD The striking period is the period during which a fault under Law 28(a) can be committed.
WHEN A STROKE MAY BE PLAYED A stroke must not be commenced until the preceding stroke has ended if that could affect the outcome of either stroke.
WHEN A STROKE AND THE STRIKING PERIOD START A stroke and the striking period start when the mallet head has passed or leaves the ball on the final backswing that the striker intends to make before striking the ball. If no backswing is used, the stroke and the striking period start when the forward swing starts.
WHEN A STROKE IS PLAYED
- If, having started a stroke, the striker stops or diverts the mallet in a successful attempt to avoid hitting the ball or committing a fault, the stroke is annulled and the striker may start another one.
- Otherwise, the stroke is played when
- the mallet hits the ball; or
- a fault is committed; or
- the mallet misses or does not reach the ball.
- WHEN THE STRIKING PERIOD ENDS The striking period ends when the striker quits his stance under control. If the striker does not quit his stance before playing the next stroke the striking period ends when the next stroke starts.
- WHEN A STROKE ENDS A stroke ends when every ball moved in consequence thereof has come to rest, has left the court or has been moved, picked up or arrested under Laws 15(c) or 18(a)(2).
- OTHER CONTACT BETWEEN MALLET AND BALL If the striker accidentally hits a ball before a stroke has started, the ball is replaced and the striker continues his turn. A mallet may be used to reposition balls between strokes.
A STROKE A stroke is a movement of the mallet
made by the striker with the intention of hitting a ball for the purpose
of playing a stroke and any consequences thereof. A stroke must not be
commenced until the preceding stroke has ended if the outcome of either
stroke could be affected thereby (see Law 33 for interference with a moving
ball).
THE STRIKING PERIOD The striking period is the
period during which a fault under Law 28(a) can be
committed.
WHEN A STROKE AND THE STRIKING PERIOD START A stroke and the striking period start when the mallet head has passed
or leaves the ball on the final backswing that the striker intends to
make before striking the ball. If no backswing is used, the stroke and
the striking period start when the forward swing starts.
WHEN A STROKE IS PLAYED After a stroke has started,
the stroke is played when:
there is any contact between mallet and ball; or
the striker accidentally misses the ball; or
a fault is committed.
DELIBERATELY INTERRUPTING THE SWING If the striker deliberately interrupts the swing after the stroke has started
but before it has been played, and the mallet does not touch a ball, the
stroke and the striking period are deemed not to have started and the striker
may start the stroke and the striking period again.
WHEN A STROKE IS DEEMED TO BE PLAYED A stroke
is deemed to be played and the turn ends if the striker announces his
intention to leave his ball where it lies or deliberately misses the ball
otherwise than for the purpose of deliberately interrupting the swing
under Law 5(e). If the striker plays neither of his balls
during a turn, he must state which of his balls is deemed to have been
played so that he is then responsible for the position of that ball.
ACCIDENTAL CONTACT If the striker accidentally
hits a ball before a stroke has started, the ball is replaced and the
striker continues his turn (see Law 33(a)).
WHEN THE STRIKING PERIOD ENDS The striking period
ends when the striker quits his stance under control, except that faults
under Laws 28(a)(1), (2) and (3) are not committed if the touching or resting occurs after the striker
has completed the swing in which he played the stroke. If the striker
does not quit his stance before playing the next stroke, the striking
period ends when the earlier stroke ends or, if sooner, when the next
stroke starts.
WHEN A STROKE ENDS A stroke ends when every
ball moved in consequence thereof has come to rest, has left the court
or has been moved, picked up or arrested under Law 15(c) or Law 18(a)(2).
PART 1
INTRODUCTION
C. DEFINITIONS
6. STATES OF A BALL
- BALL IN PLAY A ball becomes a ball in play when placed on the court prior to being played into the game under Law 8(b). Except while it is a ball in hand, it continues to be a ball in play until the end of the stroke in which it is pegged out.
A ball in play is one which may
influence the game. A ball becomes a ball in play when it is played into
the game under Law 8(b) or Law 26(a)(2).
Except while it is a ball in hand, it continues to be a ball in play until
the end of the stroke in which it is pegged out.
- BALL AT REST
- A ball at rest is a ball in play that is occupying
a stationary position on the court.
- A ball becomes a ball at rest when:
- having been caused to move as a consequence of
a stroke, it is deemed to have come to rest and has not become a ball
in hand; or
- having been a ball in hand, it is placed
replaced on
the court.
- A ball ceases to be a ball at rest when it is caused
to move as a consequence of a stroke or becomes a ball in hand.
- Subject to Law 6(b)(5), a ball
is deemed to have come to rest when it appears to have stopped moving.
- A ball in a critical position is deemed to have
come to rest only when its position has apparently remained unchanged
for at least 5 seconds. If, in addition, its position needs to be tested
(see Law 48(c)(4)), it is deemed to have come to
rest only when its position has been agreed or adjudicated upon.
- BALL IN HAND
- Any ball becomes a ball in hand and an outside agency:
- when it is temporarily removed under Law 3(c)(2);
or
- when it leaves the court; or
- when it is moved under Law 19;
or
- when it must be replaced in order to rectify
an error or correct an interference.
- The striker's ball becomes a ball in hand and an
outside agency:
- when it is moved under Law 13 (wiring lift) (or Law 36 (optional lift or contact
in advanced play)); or
- when a roquet is deemed to have been made; or
- when it is moved, picked up or arrested under
Law 15(c) or Law 18(a)(2);
or
- at the end of a stroke in which it makes a roquet;
or
- at the end of the last stroke of a turn if it
comes to rest in the yard-line area.
- A ball other than the striker’s ball becomes a ball
in hand and an outside agency at the end of a stroke if it comes to
rest in the yard-line area.
- A ball ceases to be a ball in hand and an outside agency and becomes a ball at rest when it is placed in a lawful position on the court or, if left on the court in a misplaced position, at the start of the next stroke. However, if there is a choice of positions, the striker may return it to hand and relocate it at any time until the earlier of the start of his next stroke or the end of his turn.
A ball ceases to be a ball in hand and an outside
agency when it is replaced on the court and thereby becomes a ball at
rest. However, if the striker has a choice of placement or replacement
positions, he remains entitled to relocate it, thereby causing it to
become a ball in hand again, at any time until the earlier of the start
of his next stroke or the end of his turn.
- BALL IN A CRITICAL POSITION A ball is in a critical
position if a minor change to its current position could materially affect
future play. Examples may include positions in or near hoops, wired positions
and positions on or near the yard-line or boundary. The striker must consult
the adversary before moving or wiping such a ball.
- LIVE AND DEAD BALLS
- A ball other than the striker’s ball is defined
as being live or dead for the sole purpose of determining whether or
not it may be roqueted and have croquet taken from it.
- LIVE BALL Any such ball is live at the start of
a turn and becomes so again each time the striker’s ball scores a hoop
point for itself.
- DEAD BALL A ball becomes dead when croquet has been
taken from it and remains dead until it becomes live again. The striker’s
ball may not take croquet from a dead ball. If the striker’s ball hits
a dead ball, it does not constitute a roquet.
- YARD-LINE
AND CORNER BALLS A ball at rest on a yard-line is known as a yard-line ball. A ball replaced on
the yard-line is known as a yard-line ball. A ball replaced on a corner
spot is also known as a corner ball.
- ROVER BALL A rover ball is one which has scored
all 12 of its hoop points (but see Law 44(d) for shortened
games).
- GROUPS OF BALLS A 3-ball group is formed by one ball being in contact with two other balls. A 4-ball group is formed by a fourth ball being in contact with a 3-ball group.
GROUPS OF BALLS A 3-ball group is formed by
one ball being in contact with two other balls provided that if this occurs:
at the start of a turn, any of the three balls is
a yard-line ball; and
during a turn, either of the two balls other than
the striker’s ball is a yard-line ball.
A 4-ball group is formed by the fourth ball being in contact with a 3-ball
group.
- BALL CLEAR OF A HOOP A ball is clear of a hoop
if no part of it lies within the jaws of the hoop.
PART 1
INTRODUCTION
C. DEFINITIONS
7. OUTSIDE AGENCIES
- DEFINITION Subject to Law 7(b),
an outside agency is any agency unconnected with the game. Examples include
animals, spectators, a referee other than the players, the players or
equipment from another game, a ball in hand, a ball not in play, a clip
not attached to a hoop or the peg, the peg extension when not attached
to the peg and other stray objects.
- EXCLUSIONS Neither weather nor, except in exceptional
circumstances dealt with under Law 55, loose impediments
are outside agencies.
- INTERFERENCE An outside agency should be moved
or removed if it might affect play (see also Law 33(a)
33(b) (interference by an outside agency) and Law 34(b) (fixed
obstacles)).
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
A. GENERAL LAWS OF PLAY
8. THE START OF A GAME
- THE TOSS The winner of the toss decides whether
he will take the choice of lead, which includes the right to play second,
or the choice of balls. This is known as the right of choice. If he takes
the choice of lead his adversary has the choice of balls and vice versa.
When a match consists of more than one game, the right of choice alternates
after the first game. Once made a choice may not be revoked (but see Law 26(c)).
- THE START At the start of a game, the player
entitled to play first places one of his balls on any point on either
baulk-line and plays the first stroke of his turn. At the end of that
turn the adversary plays one of his balls into the game from any unoccupied
point on either baulk-line. This includes taking croquet from a ball in
play that is either on or near a baulk-line so that a ball may be placed
on a baulk-line in contact with it. In the third and fourth turns the
remaining two balls are played into the game in the same way as the second
ball (but see Law 36(d) for advanced play, Law 37(c)(2) for handicap play and Law 26(b) if the correct ball
cannot be played).
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
A. GENERAL LAWS OF PLAY
9. ELECTION OF STRIKER'S BALL
- RIGHT TO PLAY EITHER BALL After all four balls
have been played into the game under Law 8(b), the striker
may elect at the start of any turn to play that turn with either of his
balls (but see Law 37(a) for handicap play).
- HOW ELECTION IS MADE The election is made by:
- lifting a ball that is not in contact with another
ball, in accordance with Law 13 (wiring lift) (or
Law 36 (optional lift or contact in advanced play));
or
- playing a stroke.
In each case the ball so elected becomes the striker's ball for that turn
and the striker must not then strike the partner ball. If he does so, Law 26 applies.
- LIFTING A BALL A player lifts a ball by deliberately moving it
from its position in a manner other than that used for playing a stroke.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
A. GENERAL LAWS OF PLAY
10. BALL OFF THE COURT
A ball leaves the court as soon as any part of it would touch
a straight edge raised vertically from the boundary. It then becomes a ball
in hand and an outside agency. The striker must consult the adversary before
testing whether or not a ball is off the court if the position is critical.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
A. GENERAL LAWS OF PLAY
11. BALL IN THE YARD-LINE AREA
- BALLS OTHER THAN THE STRIKER’S BALL At the
end of each stroke any ball in the yard-line area, other than the striker's
ball, becomes a ball in hand.
- THE STRIKER’S BALL If the striker's ball is
in the yard-line area at the end of a stroke it is played from where it
lies unless the striker is entitled to take croquet. Only at the end of
the last stroke of a turn does the striker's ball in the yard-line area
become a ball in hand.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
A. GENERAL LAWS OF PLAY
12. REPLACEMENT PLACEMENT OF A BALL OFF THE COURT
OR IN THE YARD-LINE AREA
- ABSENCE OF OTHER BALLS Before the next stroke,
subject to Law 12(c) and Law 19:
- any ball in hand that has left the court must be placed
replaced on the yard-line at the point nearest to where it left the
court; and
- any ball in hand in the yard-line area must be placed
replaced on the yard-line at the point nearest to where it came to rest.
- PRESENCE OF OTHER BALLS If a ball cannot be placed
replaced in accordance with Law 12(a) because of the
presence of:
- the striker's ball inside the yard-line area; or
- one or more yard-line balls; or
- one or more balls outside the yard-line area,
it must be placed replaced on the yard-line as the striker chooses in contact with
any ball that directly or indirectly interferes with its replacement.
- INTERFERENCE BY THE STRIKER’S BALL If the striker
is entitled to take croquet, the striker's ball is a ball in hand and
an outside agency until it is placed for the croquet stroke and must not
interfere with the placement
replacement of a ball under Laws 12(a) or 12(b).
- ORDER OF PLACEMENT
REPLACEMENT If two or more balls have
to be placed replaced, the order of placement replacement is as the striker chooses.
- HOW TO PLACE
REPLACE The striker must place replace balls
on the yard-line with his back to the court unless he has a choice of
placement replacement positions under Law 12(b) and must take special
care to ensure that such placement replacement is accurate. He must consult the
adversary if he is in any doubt whether a ball may have to be placed replaced in contact with another ball.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
A. GENERAL LAWS OF PLAY
13. WIRING LIFT
- LIFT If the adversary is responsible for the
position of a ball of the striker’s side which is wired from all other
balls and not in contact with another ball, the striker may start his
turn:
- by playing as the balls lie; or
- by lifting the wired ball and playing it from any
unoccupied point on either baulk-line or taking croquet from a ball that it could touch in such a position.
- RESPONSIBILITY FOR POSITION
A player becomes or remains responsible for the position of any ball that:
he plays; or
-
is moved or shaken as a result of his play; or
is involved in any croquet stroke or cannon that he plays, even if it does not move; or
- is replaced when an error committed by him is rectified; or
- belongs to him, in the event that he played the first stroke of a turn with an adversary's ball,or by declaring that he was leaving a ball where it lay without specifying which.
However, a player does not become responsible for the position of any ball replaced to correct an interference.
Subject to Law 13(b)(2), a player
becomes responsible for the position of any ball:
that he is deemed to have played; or
that he is deemed to have roqueted; or
that is moved or shaken or becomes a ball in
hand as a consequence of his play, including a ball replaced after
rectification of an error committed by him under Laws 25 to 28.
A player is not responsible for the position of
any ball replaced following:
an interference committed by him under Laws 30 to 32; or
an interference, other than one committed by
him, under Law 33; or
an interference under Law 34
unless he was so responsible before the interference occurred or became
so responsible thereafter.
- WHEN WIRED A ball ("the relevant ball") is
wired from another ball ("the target ball") if:
- any part of a hoop, including the jaws, or the
peg would impede the direct course of any part of the relevant ball
towards any part of the target ball; or
- any part of a hoop, excluding the jaws, or the
peg would impede the swing of the mallet before its impact with the
relevant ball; or
- any part of the relevant ball lies within the jaws
of a hoop.
- IMPEDED SWING In Law 13(c)(2),
the swing is impeded if there is any part of an end face of the mallet
that the striker used in the turn before the relevant ball was positioned
with which he would be unable to strike the centre of the relevant ball
in order to drive it freely with his normal swing towards any part of
the target ball. However, the swing is not impeded merely because a hoop
or the peg interferes with the striker's stance.
- TESTING
- A player may ask a referee to conduct a wiring
test only if he is the striker entitled to claim a lift with the relevant
ball before the first stroke of the current turn. He must otherwise
rely on an unaided ocular test to determine whether or not one ball
is wired from another.
- The striker is entitled to the benefit of any doubt
in an adjudication of whether one ball is wired from another.
- CHANGE OF DECISION
If the striker lifts a ball of his side under Law 13(a)(2):
- it is thereby elected as the striker’s ball and
he may not then play with the other ball of his side. If he does so,
Law 26 applies. In addition, he is obliged to take
the lift to which he is entitled and he may not then play the lifted
ball from where it lay before it was lifted unless it already lay on
a baulk-line.
- and places it on an unoccupied point on either
baulk-line, whether in contact with another ball or not, he remains
entitled to play it from any unoccupied point on either baulk-line until
he plays a stroke.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
A. GENERAL LAWS OF PLAY
14. HOOP POINT
- DEFINITIONS
- A ball scores a hoop point by passing through its
next hoop in the order and direction shown in Diagram
1 as a consequence of one or more strokes. This is also known as
running a hoop in order.
- The playing and non-playing sides of the hoop are
defined relative to this direction, as shown in Diagram
3.
- The planes of the playing and non-playing sides
are the surfaces constructed by raising a horizontal straight line against
the relevant sides of the hoop uprights from the ground to the crown
of the hoop.
- The jaws of a hoop are defined as the space enclosed
by the inner surfaces of the uprights and the planes of the playing
and non-playing sides.
- STARTING TO RUN Subject to Law 14(d)(1) to (3), a ball starts to run a hoop when it first breaks
the plane of the non-playing side when travelling from the playing side
to the non-playing side. However, if the ball subsequently moves back
out of the hoop during the stroke and either:
- comes to rest in the jaws where it does not break
the plane of the non-playing side; or
- exits the hoop entirely on the playing side
then it is deemed that it has not started to run the hoop.
- COMPLETING THE RUNNING Subject to Law 14(d)(4), a ball completes running a hoop when it clears the plane of the playing side while traveling forward through the hoop, providing that it comes to rest on the non-playing side clear of that plane.
Subject to Law 14(d)(4),
a ball completes the running as soon as it no longer breaks the plane
of the playing side when travelling from the playing side to the non-playing
side. However, if the ball subsequently moves back into the hoop during
the stroke and either:
comes to rest in the jaws where it breaks the plane
of the playing side; or
exits the hoop entirely on the playing side
then it is deemed that it has not completed the running of the hoop.
- SPECIAL SITUATIONS
- If a ball makes a roquet under Law 16(b) before it starts to run its hoop in order, it cannot thereafter score
the hoop point for itself in the same stroke.
- If a ball first enters its hoop in order from the
non-playing side, it cannot score the hoop point for itself in the same
stroke. Having so entered, it must come to rest in a position entirely
clear of the hoop or in the jaws where it does not break the plane of
the non-playing side before it can score the hoop point in a subsequent
stroke.
- If a ball in hand is placed for a croquet stroke within the jaws of its hoop in order where it breaks the plane of the non-playing side, and the stroke is played from that position:
- it has not started to run the hoop; and
- it may not do so until it is clear of that plane at the start of a subsequent stroke.
If a croquet stroke is played with the striker’s
ball placed within the jaws of its hoop in order in a position where
it breaks the plane of the non-playing side, it cannot score the hoop
point for itself in the same stroke. Having been so placed, it must
come to rest in a position entirely clear of the hoop or in the jaws
where it does not break the plane of the non-playing side before it
can score the hoop point in a subsequent stroke.
- A ball may complete running its hoop in order in the stroke in which it started to run the hoop. Alternatively, it may complete running the hoop in a subsequent stroke or turn unless it either:
becomes a ball in hand in preparation for a croquet stroke; or
is lifted under Law 13 (wiring lift) (or Law 36 (optional lift or contact in advanced play)) in which case it must start to run the hoop again.
A ball may complete the running of a hoop in two
or more strokes or turns. However, if the striker’s ball has not completed
the running and it either:
becomes a ball in hand in preparation for a
croquet stroke; or
is lifted under Law 13 (wiring
lift) (or Law 36 (optional lift or contact in advanced
play))
it must start to run the hoop again.
- A ball at rest cannot score or lose a hoop point
solely as a result of a hoop being moved or straightened.
- PEELING If a ball other than the striker's
ball scores a hoop point as a consequence of a stroke, it is said to be
peeled through the hoop.

DIAGRAM 3 - RUNNING A HOOP
When a hoop is run. a) the ball has not started running the hoop. b) the ball
has started running the hoop. c) the ball has not completed running the hoop,
and d) the ball has finished running the hoop.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
A. GENERAL LAWS OF PLAY
15. PEG POINT
- HOW A PEG POINT IS SCORED Subject to Law 15(b),
if the striker’s ball is a rover ball:
- it scores a peg point for itself, and is then said
to be pegged out, by hitting the peg as a consequence of a stroke (but
see Law 38 in handicap play); and
- it may cause another rover ball to be pegged out
by causing it to hit the peg as a consequence of a stroke.
- SPECIAL SITUATIONS
- If the striker’s ball makes a roquet under Law 16(b), it cannot thereafter score a peg point for
itself in the same stroke.
- If the striker's ball simultaneously hits a live
ball and the peg in order, it is pegged out unless the striker claims
a roquet by taking croquet.
- If, at the start of a turn, the striker plays a
rover that is in contact with the peg, that ball is pegged out unless
it is hit in a direction away from the peg.
- If the striker's ball is a rover and hits, or causes
another ball to hit, another rover that is in contact with the peg,
that other rover is pegged out unless it is hit in a direction away
from the peg.
- If the striker’s ball, being a rover, and another
rover ball that it causes to hit the peg do so simultaneously, they
are deemed to be pegged out in the order nominated by the striker.
- A ball at rest cannot be pegged out solely as a
result of the peg being moved or straightened.
- BALL REMAINING IN PLAY A ball remains in play
throughout the stroke in which it is pegged out and may cause other balls
to move and score hoop or peg points. It may only be moved, picked up
or arrested in its course if the state of the game will not be affected
thereby.
- REMOVAL FROM COURT A ball ceases to be a ball
in play and becomes an outside agency at the end of the stroke in which
it is pegged out. The striker must remove a pegged out ball and the corresponding
clip from the court before the next stroke. However, if he is about to
peg out the striker’s ball in the next stroke and the pegged out ball
is unlikely to interfere, he may delay doing so until after the next stroke.
If the pegged out ball is left in play thereafter, Law 30 applies.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
A. GENERAL LAWS OF PLAY
16. ROQUET
- BALLS THAT MAY BE ROQUETED A roquet may be
made by the striker's ball on any live ball unless the striker is already
required to take croquet. However, a roquet may be made by the striker’s
ball on a live ball during a croquet stroke (but see Law 17(b)(3)).
- WHEN A ROQUET IS ACTUALLY MADE A roquet is
actually made when the striker’s ball hits a live ball, which includes
any contact between the balls as a consequence of a stroke. However:
- if two or more live balls are hit in one stroke,
a roquet is made only on the ball first hit;
- if two or more live balls are hit simultaneously,
a roquet is made only on the ball that the striker nominates by taking
croquet from it;
- if the striker's ball simultaneously hits a live
ball and the peg in order, Law 15(b)(2) applies.
- WHEN A ROQUET IS DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MADE Unless the striker is already required to take croquet, a roquet is deemed to have been made if the striker is required, or is entitled and so elects, to play a stroke in which his ball starts in contact with a live ball.
A
roquet is deemed to have been made:
if the striker plays the first stroke of a turn
by taking croquet from a ball with a ball of his side that:
is already in contact with it; or
is placed in contact with it under Law 8(b) (start of game) or Law 13 (wiring lift) (or Law 36 (optional lift or contact in advanced play)).
during a turn that the striker, not having made
a roquet in the preceding stroke, is otherwise entitled to continue,
if the striker’s ball:
is on or near a yard-line and a live ball is
replaced on the yard-line in contact with it; or
leaves the court after scoring a hoop point
for itself and is replaced on the yard-line in contact with a live
ball; or
scores a hoop point for itself and comes to
rest in contact with a ball on which it is not permitted to make an
actual roquet in accordance with Laws 17(b)(2) or 17(b)(3).
- GROUP OF BALLS. If a roquet may be deemed to
have been made on a ball that forms part of a group of balls, a roquet
may be deemed to have been made on any live ball in the group and is deemed
to have been made only on the ball that the striker nominates by taking
croquet from it (see Law 19(c) for election of balls).
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
A. GENERAL LAWS OF PLAY
17. HOOP AND ROQUET SITUATIONS
- HOOP AND ROQUET
If, during a stroke, the striker's ball both completes running a hoop in order (see Law 14(c)) and hits a ball that, at the start of the stroke, was clear of the hoop on the nonplaying side, the following applies:
- The hoop point is scored by the striker's ball and the other balls become live before the impact; and so
- a roquet is also made, subject to Laws 16(b)(1) to (3).
This applies no matter whether the ball was live before the stroke, and regardless of the actual order of events.
If, during a stroke, the striker’s
ball:
completes the running of a hoop in order and then
hits a ball that, at the start of the stroke, was clear of the hoop
on the non-playing side, the striker’s ball scores a hoop point for
itself and then makes a roquet under Law 16(b); or
hits a ball that, at the start of the stroke, was
clear of a hoop on the non-playing side, and then completes the running
of the hoop in order, it is deemed that the contact occurs after the
striker’s ball scores the hoop point for itself so that it then makes
a roquet under Law 16(b).
- OTHER CASES If, during a stroke and before
or after completing the running of a hoop in order, the striker’s ball
hits a ball (“the relevant ball”) that, at the start of the stroke, was:
- live and not clear of the hoop on the non-playing
side, a roquet is made on the relevant ball under Law 16(b) and the hoop point is deemed not to be scored for the striker’s ball;
or
- dead and not clear of the hoop on the non-playing
side, the hoop point is scored but, subject to Law 17(c),
a roquet is deemed not to be made on the relevant ball; or
- in contact with the striker’s ball, the hoop point
is scored but, subject to Law 17(c), a roquet is deemed
not to be made on the relevant ball.
- BALLS COMING TO REST IN CONTACT In Laws 17(b)(2) and 17(b)(3), if the striker’s ball comes to rest in
contact with the relevant ball, a roquet is deemed to have been made on
the relevant ball under Law 16(c)(2)(C).
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
A. GENERAL LAWS OF PLAY
18. CONSEQUENCES OF A ROQUET
- WHEN A ROQUET IS ACTUALLY MADE If the striker's
ball makes a roquet under Law 16(b):
- subject to Law 17(a), it cannot
thereafter score a hoop point or peg point for itself in the same stroke;
- it remains a ball in play throughout the stroke
and may therefore cause other balls to score hoop or peg points; accordingly,
it may only be moved, picked up or arrested in its course if the state
of the game will not be affected thereby;
- it becomes a ball in hand at the end of the stroke
unless the striker’s turn has ended (see Law 4(d));
and
- the striker takes croquet under Laws 19 and 20 unless the turn so ends.
- WHEN A ROQUET IS DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MADE If
a roquet is deemed to have been made under Law 16(c),
the striker’s ball becomes a ball in hand and the striker takes croquet
under Laws 19 and 20.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
A. GENERAL LAWS OF PLAY
19. PLACING BALLS FOR A CROQUET STROKE
- BALL PLACEMENT Subject to Law 19(d),
in preparation for a croquet stroke, the striker must place the striker's
ball on the ground in contact with the roqueted ball however he chooses
but not in contact with any other ball. Subject to Law 19(b),
no other ball may be moved.
- CANNONS If, after any necessary application
of Law 12, the roqueted ball forms part of a group of
balls, or would do so if the striker's ball was placed in accordance with
Law 19(a), the croquet stroke is known as a cannon. In
preparation for the stroke, all balls other than the roqueted ball become
balls in hand and are temporarily removed. The roqueted ball must be replaced
in its original position if it has been moved and the other balls are
then placed
replaced as follows:
- 3-BALL CANNON The striker must place the
striker's ball and the third ball on the ground in contact with the
roqueted ball however he chooses provided that the striker's ball is
not in contact with the third ball.
- 4-BALL CANNON The striker must place the
striker's ball and one of the remaining balls as in Law 19(b)(1) and must then place the fourth ball on the ground not in contact with
the striker's ball but in contact with one or both of the other two
balls.
The striker remains entitled to reposition the balls.
- ELECTION OF BALLS If the striker moves a ball
or balls in preparation for a croquet stroke, no election of the roqueted
ball or, unless Law 9(b)(1) applies, the striker’s
ball is thereby made until the stroke is played.
- FIRST STROKE OF A TURN In respect of the first
stroke of a turn, the references in Laws 19(a) and 19(b) to the striker's ball shall include any ball
of the striker's side which was in play at the end of the preceding turn
and the references to the roqueted ball shall include any ball from which
croquet may lawfully be taken.
- CHANGE OF DECISION The striker remains entitled
to reposition balls under Laws 19(a) or 19(b) until he plays a stroke.
KEEPING BALLS IN POSITION When preparing for
a croquet stroke, the striker may touch or steady the roqueted ball or
apply such pressure to any ball by hand or foot, but not by mallet, as
is reasonably necessary to make it hold its position, provided that neither
its original position nor, if a peel is to be attempted, its rotational
alignment is finally disturbed. If necessary, the balls may be held in
position by grass clippings or similar material.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
A. GENERAL LAWS OF PLAY
20. CROQUET STROKE
- TERMS In a croquet stroke the roqueted ball
is known as the croqueted ball and the striker's ball is said to take
croquet from it. In playing the stroke the striker is said to take croquet.
- HOW PLAYED The striker plays a stroke with
the balls placed in accordance with Law 19 and in so
doing must play into the croqueted ball and move or shake it (see Law 28(a)(14)).
- BALL OFF COURT In a croquet stroke the striker's
turn ends if he sends off the court:
- the croqueted ball, unless it is pegged out in
the stroke; or
- the striker's ball, unless it makes a roquet or
scores a hoop point for itself in the stroke.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
A. GENERAL LAWS OF PLAY
21. CONTINUATION STROKE
- ENTITLEMENT After the striker's ball scores
a hoop point for itself or after a croquet stroke the striker becomes
entitled to play a continuation stroke unless he is entitled to take croquet
immediately or his turn has ended.
- REQUIREMENT TO TAKE CROQUET IMMEDIATELY
If the striker’s ball:
- scores a hoop point for itself and then makes a
roquet in the same stroke; or
- makes a roquet in a croquet stroke
then, unless the striker’s turn has ended, there is no continuation stroke
and the next stroke must be a croquet stroke.
- NON-CUMULATIVE Continuation strokes may not
be accumulated. Accordingly, if the striker’s ball scores:
- two hoop points for itself in the same stroke;
or
- a hoop point for itself in a croquet stroke,
then, unless the striker’s turn has ended, he is entitled to play only one
continuation stroke.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
B. ERRORS IN PLAY
22. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
- DEFINITIONS
- Errors are mistakes in play which are dealt with
under Laws 25 to 28 (but see Law 39(a) for restoration of bisques in handicap play).
- Strokes in error include the stroke in which an
error is committed and any subsequent stroke played before the earlier
of the discovery of the error or the limit of claims.
- An error is said to be discovered when the striker
announces it or the adversary forestalls play in respect of it. References
to discovery before a stroke mean before the stroke is played.
- DELIBERATE ERRORS A player must not deliberately
commit an error.
- STRIKER MUST DECLARE The striker must immediately
declare any error he commits or suspects he may have committed and cease
play until the matter is resolved.
- RECTIFICATION
- An error is rectified by cancelling all points
scored for any ball in any stroke in error and replacing the balls in
their lawful positions at the start of the first stroke in error. If
a ball could have occupied more than one lawful position at that time,
it may be replaced in any such position as the striker chooses. However,
if a ball is placed
replaced following rectification of a fault, it must be
replaced in the position it occupied before the stroke was played.
- If the striker’s turn continues after rectification,
each ball is then live if and only if it was live at the start of the
first stroke in error.
- LIMIT OF CLAIMS The limit of claims is the
end of the period within which an error must be discovered if it is to
be rectified. If the end of a turn prevents a limit of claims being reached, the limit becomes the first stroke of the next turn. The ultimate limit of claims is the end of the game.
If the specified limit of claims is not reached because
a turn or the game ends, it is deemed to be before the first stroke of
the adversary’s next turn or the end of the game respectively.
Strokes
in error are counted when determining whether the limit of claims of any
other error has passed.
- AFTER LIMIT OF CLAIMS
- Subject to Laws 22(f)(2) and 40(d) (doubles play), if an error is discovered after
its limit of claims it is not rectified, the balls are not replaced
and all points in order scored for any ball in any stroke in error are
counted.
Additional consequences for certain errors are set out in the
relevant sub-law (see Laws 27(e) to 27(h)).
- No peg point may be scored by the striker for any
ball when playing a wrong ball. Any peg point apparently so scored must
be cancelled if discovered at any time before the end of the game and
Law 30 applies.
- ERRORS AND INTERFERENCES If an interference
under Laws 30 to 35
or 31 is discovered
within the limit of claims of an earlier error, the error is dealt with
first
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
B. ERRORS IN PLAY
23. FORESTALLING PLAY
- DEFINITION A player forestalls play when, in
order to discharge his duty as a referee of the game, he issues a request
to the striker that play cease in a manner capable of conveying the request
to a striker with normal hearing.
- ADVERSARY MUST NOT FORESTALL Unless
an error under Laws 25, 26, 27(d) or 28 has already occurred, the adversary must not forestall
play or warn the striker if he suspects or becomes aware that the striker
is about to:
- run a wrong hoop; or
- play a wrong ball; or
- purport to take croquet from a dead ball.
- ADVERSARY MUST FORESTALL Subject to Laws 23(b) and 23(d), a player must forestall play immediately if
he suspects or becomes aware that:
- the striker intends to play a questionable stroke
without having it specially watched; or
- an error, other than a fault, or an interference
is about to occur; or
- an error or an interference has occurred; or
- the striker’s turn is about to end prematurely
(see Law 35(a) and, for handicap play, Law 37(e));
or
- a clip is misplaced; or
- a boundary marking has been displaced.
- WHEN TO FORESTALL The adversary should forestall
play between strokes and, unless the issue concerns the stroke about to
be played, must not forestall play after a stroke has started and before
it has been played. If he does so, Law 34(a) applies.
- STRIKER CONTINUING TO PLAY If the striker continues
to play after being forestalled and before the issue is settled, Law 32 applies.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
B. ERRORS IN PLAY
24. COMPOUND ERRORS
- GENERAL
Subject to Law 24(b), if the striker
commits:
- more than one error in the same stroke, it is deemed
that only the first of the applicable laws in Laws 25 to 28 applies; or
- one or more errors before the limit of claims of
an earlier error, only the law applicable to the earlier error applies
- ERROR DISCOVERED AFTER THE LIMIT OF CLAIMS
An error which is discovered after its limit of claims
shall not be considered a component of a compound error.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
B. ERRORS IN PLAY
25. PLAYING WHEN NOT ENTITLED TO DO SO
- GENERAL If a player plays one or more strokes when not entitled to do so and the error is discovered before the limit of claims:
- any points scored in the first such stroke and any subsequent strokes played by the offending side are cancelled;
- any balls moved by those strokes are replaced, unless they have subsequently been moved by strokes which the non-offending side was entitled to play;
- the side entitled to play then plays.
LIMIT OF CLAIMS The limit of claims is the first stroke of the next turn to be started by the non-offending side.
STRIKER If the striker plays a stroke when
not entitled to play and the error is discovered before the first stroke
of the adversary's next turn, the error is rectified and the turn ends.
ADVERSARY If the adversary starts his turn
prematurely (see Law 4(e)) and the error is discovered
before the end of the striker’s turn, the error is rectified and the adversary
restarts his turn correctly after the striker’s turn has ended.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
B. ERRORS IN PLAY
26. PLAYING A WRONG BALL
- GENERAL
- Subject to Law 26(c), if the striker
plays a wrong ball and the error is discovered before the first stroke
of the next turn (but see Law 37(c)(3) for handicap
play) to be started by playing a correct ball, the error is rectified
and the turn ends.
- If the error is rectified and was committed in
the first stroke of one of the first four turns of the game, the correct
ball is placed on any unoccupied point on either baulk-line as the striker
chooses. That ball becomes a ball in play and the turn ends.
and the striker is deemed to have played a stroke with that
ball.
- A ball wrongly played into the game becomes a ball in play only if the error is not rectified.
- PLAYER UNABLE TO PLAY CORRECT BALL The game is restarted if the player of the fourth turn of the game discovers,
either before or after he plays a stroke, that both his balls have been
played into the game in the first two turns of the game.
- EXCHANGE OF COLOURS If it is discovered after
the first stroke of the fifth turn of the game that both players have
played a wrong ball in the first stroke of every earlier turn of the game,
the choice of balls under Law 8(a) is reversed and play
is deemed to have proceeded from the start of the game accordingly.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
B. ERRORS IN PLAY
27. PLAYING WHEN A BALL IS MISPLACED
- GENERAL
- Between strokes, any misplaced balls must be placed in a lawful position, at the striker's choice if more than one is available. Subject to Law 23(b), if the adversary observes that the striker is about to play a stroke when any ball is misplaced, he must forestall play.
- If a stroke is played with a ball misplaced, the first of the relevant Laws 27(d) to 27(i) applies.
- A misplaced ball remains so until it is placed in a lawful position or moved by a stroke.
Subject to Law 23(b), if the adversary observes that
the striker is about to play a stroke when any ball is misplaced, he must
forestall play so that the ball may be properly placed. If the error is
not discovered until after the stroke is played, it is dealt with, subject
to Laws 27(b) and 33, by the first of
the applicable Laws 27(d) to 27(i).
- MINOR MISPLACEMENT
For the purposes of these Laws other than Law 28(a)(8):
- a ball is deemed to be in contact with another
ball when a stroke is played even if it is physically not in contact
at that time if, in preparation for the stroke, the striker attempted
finally to place, adjust or leave the balls in contact; and
- a ball is deemed not to be in contact with another
ball when a stroke is played even if it is physically in contact at
that time if, in preparation for the stroke, the striker attempted finally
to place, adjust or leave the balls out of contact.
- PURPORTING TO TAKE CROQUET
- Subject to Law 27(c)(2),
the striker purports to take croquet if:
- he plays a stroke after finally placing
or adjusting one or more balls so that the striker's ball is in
contact with a ball from which it may not lawfully take croquet;
or
- being required to take croquet, he plays
a stroke after leaving the striker's ball in contact with a ball
from which it may not lawfully take croquet.
- Temporarily removing and replacing
a ball under Law 3(c)(2) or replacing a ball after
interference under Laws 33 or 34 does not of itself constitute placing or adjusting it.
- Purporting to take croquet from a live ball has the same consequences as taking croquet from that ball, except that Law 27(e) applies.
- PURPORTING TO TAKE CROQUET FROM DEAD BALL
If the striker purports to take croquet from a dead ball and the error
is discovered before the first stroke of the adversary's next turn, the
error is rectified and the turn ends.
- PURPORTING TO TAKE CROQUET FROM LIVE BALL If the striker purports to take croquet from a live ball and the error is discovered before two further strokes of that turn, the error is rectified. The striker remains entitled to play unless his turn ended under Law 4(d) during a stroke in error.
If the striker purports to take croquet from a
live ball and the error is discovered before two further strokes of
the striker's turn, the error is rectified and, subject to Law 27(j),
the striker continues his turn correctly.
IIf the error is discovered after the limit of
claims, play is deemed to have proceeded as if, immediately before the
first stroke in error, a roquet had been made only on the ball that
was in contact with the striker's ball.
- FAILING TO TAKE CROQUET WHEN REQUIRED TO DO SO If the striker, being required to take croquet, plays a stroke in which he neither takes croquet nor purports to do so and the error is discovered before two further strokes of that turn, the error is rectified. The striker remains entitled to play unless his turn ended under Law 4(d) during a stroke in error.
If the striker, being required to take croquet,
plays a stroke in which he neither takes croquet nor purports to take
croquet and the error is discovered before two further strokes of the
striker's turn, the error is rectified and, subject to Law 27(j),
the striker continues his turn correctly.
If the error is discovered after the limit of claims,
play is deemed to have proceeded as if, immediately before the first
stroke in error, a roquet had been neither made nor deemed to have been
made, but that the striker had remained entitled to play the first stroke
in error.
- FAILING TO PLAY A BALL FROM BAULK
- If the striker, being required to play a ball from
a baulk-line in accordance with Laws 8(b) (start of
game) or 13 (wiring lift) (or Law 36 (optional lift in advanced play)), plays a stroke from a position materially
other than a point on a baulk-line and the error is discovered before
the third stroke of the striker's turn, the error is rectified. The striker restarts his turn with the same ball unless it ended under Law 4(d) during a stroke in error.
and,
subject to Law 27(j), the striker restarts his turn
correctly with the same ball.
If the error is discovered after the limit of claims,
play is deemed to have proceeded as if the striker's ball had been correctly
placed when the first stroke was played.
- LIFTING A BALL WHEN NOT ENTITLED TO DO SO
- If the striker, having lifted either of his balls
at the start of a turn when not entitled to do so, plays a stroke with
it misplaced and the error is discovered before the third stroke of
the striker's turn, the error is rectified. The striker restarts his turn with either ball of his side unless it ended under Law 4(d) during a stroke in error.
and, subject to Law 27(j),
the striker restarts his turn correctly with either ball of his side.
If the error is discovered after the limit of claims,
play is deemed to have proceeded as if the striker had been entitled
to a lift or contact before he played the first stroke.
- OTHER CASES
In all other cases, the stroke is lawful unless other errors or interferences have occurred.
In all other cases, if the adversary fails to forestall
play, the striker continues his turn subject to the law applicable to
any other error or interference committed before or in the stroke. Examples
of such cases include:
playing without first replacing any ball irregularly
moved after the end of the preceding stroke;
playing the striker's ball when it has been
wrongly brought onto the yard-line;
playing when a ball has been wrongly left off
the court or in the yard-line area.
Subject to rectification of an error or discovery
of an interference under Laws 30 or 31 committed before or in the stroke or, in exceptional cases, to Law 55,
if the misplaced ball is affected by the stroke, it is deemed that its
actual position was its lawful position before the stroke was played
and Law 33 does not apply.
If the misplaced ball is unaffected by subsequent
play and it is then discovered by either player to have been misplaced,
it must be replaced in a lawful position before the next stroke is played.
END OF TURN
If an error under Laws 27(e) to 27(h) is discovered before its limit of claims, all strokes in error must also
be analysed as if that limit of claims had passed in order to decide whether
the striker is entitled to continue his turn. For this purpose purporting
to take croquet from a live ball shall be treated as playing a croquet stroke
in which the live ball is the croqueted ball. If any of the conditions of
Law 4(d) (end of turn) would then apply the striker's
turn ends.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
B. ERRORS IN PLAY
28. FAULTS
- DEFINITIONS Subject to Law 28(d), a fault is committed if, during
the striking period, the striker:
- touches the head of the mallet with his hand, or slides the mallet along his foot or leg to guide it;
touches the head of the mallet with his hand;
- rests the shaft of the mallet or a hand or arm
on the ground or an outside agency;
- rests the shaft of the mallet or a hand or arm
directly connected with the stroke against any part of his legs or feet;
- moves the striker's ball other than by striking
it with the mallet audibly and distinctly;
- causes or attempts to cause the mallet to strike
the striker's ball by kicking, hitting, dropping or throwing the mallet;
- strikes the striker's ball with any part of the mallet other than
an end face of the head, either:
- deliberately; or
- accidentally in a stroke which requires special
care because of the proximity of a hoop or the peg or another ball;
-
subject to Law 28(d), maintains
contact between the mallet and the striker's ball for an appreciable
period when the striker's ball is not in contact with any other ball
or after the striker's ball has hit another ball;
- in a croquet stroke, or continuation stroke when the striker's ball is touching another ball, allows the mallet to contact the striker's ball visibly more than once; or
- in any other stroke, allows the mallet to contact the striker's ball more than once; or
- in any stroke, allows the mallet to remain in contact with the striker's ball for an observable period;
- allows the mallet to be in contact with the striker's ball after the striker's ball has hit another ball;
subject to Law 28(d), strikes
the striker's ball more than once in the same stroke or allows the striker's
ball to retouch the mallet
- strikes the striker's ball so as to cause it to
touch a hoop upright or, unless the striker's ball is pegged out in
the stroke, the peg when in contact with the mallet;
- strikes the striker's ball when it lies in contact
with a hoop upright or, unless the striker's ball is pegged out in the
stroke, the peg otherwise than in a direction away therefrom;
- moves or shakes a ball at rest by hitting a hoop
or the peg with the mallet or with any part of his body or clothes;
- touches any ball, other than the striker's ball,
with the mallet;
- touches any ball with any part of his body or
clothes;
- in a croquet stroke, plays away from or fails
to move or shake the croqueted ball;
-
damages the court with the mallet, to the extent that a subsequent stroke played over the damaged area could be significantly affected, in a stroke in which either:
- his swing is restricted by a hoop, or the peg, or a ball not in contact with the striker's ball; or
- he is attempting to make the striker's ball jump; or
- the striker's ball is part of a group.
deliberately plays a stroke in a manner in which
the mallet is likely to and does cause substantial damage to the court.
- REMEDIES
- If the striker commits a fault and the error is
discovered before two further strokes of the striker’s turn, any points
scored in either the first or second stroke in error are cancelled and
the turn ends.
- The striker must ask the adversary whether he wishes
the fault to be rectified. If the adversary elects rectification, the
balls are replaced in accordance with Law 22(d).
Otherwise the balls remain or are replaced in the positions they occupied
after the first stroke in error (but see Law 37(h) for handicap play).
- SPECIFIED TERMS
- Clothes include everything being worn or carried
by the striker at the start of the stroke, other than his mallet, and
are treated as part of the striker’s body.
Substantial damage to the court is damage capable
of affecting a subsequent stroke played over the damaged area, normally
involving breaking of the surface of the court.
- EXEMPTIONS
Contact between the mallet and the striker's ball is not a fault under Laws 28(a)(7) or (8) if it occurs after the striker's ball:
- makes a roquet; or
- scores the peg point; or
- hits a ball pegged out in the stroke.
However, exemption (A) does not apply if the striker's ball has hit another object after making the roquet.
A fault is not committed under Laws 28(a)(1-3) if the touching, resting or sliding occurs after the striker has completed the swing in which he played the stroke.
A fault is not committed under Laws 28(a)(7) or 28(a)(8) if a second hit, re-touching or maintenance of contact is caused by:
a ball roqueted under Law 16(b);
or
the act of pegging out the striker’s ball; or
interference by a ball pegged out in the stroke.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY C. INTERFERENCE WITH PLAY
29. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
- DEFINITION Interferences with play are irregularities
other than errors and are dealt with under Laws 30 to 35 (but see Law 39(b) for restoration
of bisques in handicap play and Law 53(g)(2) for
restoration of time in time-limited games).
- DELIBERATE INTERFERENCE A player must not
deliberately commit an interference.
- PLAYER MUST DECLARE A player must immediately
forestall play and declare any interference he believes may have been
committed by either player.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY C. INTERFERENCE WITH PLAY
30. BALLS WRONGLY REMOVED OR NOT REMOVED
FROM GAME
- GENERAL If it is discovered before the end
of the game that play has been affected because either:
- a ball has been removed from the game under the
misapprehension that it has been pegged out; or
- a ball has not been removed from the game in accordance
with Law 15 when it has been pegged out
all play from and including the first affected stroke is deemed not to have
occurred, any points scored for any ball therein are cancelled, the balls
are replaced in their lawful positions at the end of the stroke preceding
the first affected stroke and, subject to Law 30(b), the
player entitled to play at that time continues his turn without penalty.
If it cannot be determined when play was first affected it is deemed to
be when the ball was first misplaced.
- EARLIER ERRORS If it is also discovered that
the limit of claims of one or more errors had not passed when play was
first affected, the relevant laws shall be applied as if the error or
errors had been discovered at that time.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
C. INTERFERENCE WITH PLAY
31. MISPLACED CLIPS AND MISLEADING
INFORMATION
- GENERAL A player is entitled to a replay
if it is discovered before the end of the game that he was misled into
adopting a line of play that he would not otherwise have adopted as
a result of:
- the misplacement of a clip for which he was not
originally responsible; or
- the misplacement of a ball that has suffered interference, other than by him, or been moved to avoid interference; or
- false information concerning the state of the
game supplied by the adversary.
- REMEDY
- If a player successfully claims a replay, the
first stroke that he would not have played but for his misapprehension
and all subsequent play are deemed not to have occurred, any points
scored for any ball therein are cancelled, the balls are replaced
in their lawful positions before that first stroke and, subject to
Law 31(c), the player misled then plays, adopting
a different line of play.
- If that first stroke was also the first stroke
of a turn, the player may play either ball of his side that could
lawfully have been played in the first stroke of the turn.
- EARLIER ERRORS If it is also discovered that
the limit of claims of one or more errors had not passed before that
first stroke was played, the relevant laws shall be applied as if the
error or errors had been discovered at that time.
- LINE OF PLAY A line of play is any tactical
decision including, but not limited to, aiming to move a ball to a specific position on the court, electing to play with a particular
ball, making a particular leave, deciding how many points to score,
quitting the court in the belief that the turn has ended and exercising
the option under Law 28(b) (see also Law 37(g) for handicap play).
- DUTY OF PLAYERS Both players have a duty
to ensure that the clips are correctly placed and, subject to Laws 23(b) and 23(d), must call attention immediately to any
misplaced clip.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
C. INTERFERENCE WITH PLAY
32. PLAYING WHEN FORESTALLED
- GENERAL If a player continues to play after
the adversary has forestalled play and before the issue has been settled,
all play following the forestalling is deemed not to have occurred,
any points scored for any ball therein are cancelled, the balls are
replaced in their lawful positions before the adversary forestalled
play and the issue must then be settled. Subject to Law 32(b),
the player entitled to play then plays.
- EARLIER ERRORS If it is also discovered that
the limit of claims of one or more errors had not passed when the adversary
forestalled play, the relevant laws shall be applied as if the error
or errors had been discovered at that time.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
C. INTERFERENCE WITH PLAY
33. INTERFERENCE WITH THE POSITION OF
A BALL
- OUTSIDE AGENCY OR PLAYER If an outside agency or a player (except the striker during the striking period) touches a ball during a stroke:
- the striker must replay the stroke if:
- no further stroke has been played; and
- the interference might have prevented a point being scored, a roquet being made, or a ball coming to rest in a critical position; and
- the interference was caused by an outside agency that moved or came to rest after the striker finally took up his stance, or by the adversary.
- otherwise, there is no replay and all balls must be placed as near as possible to where they would have been at the end of the stroke had the interference not occurred. (See Law 48(f) if the players' opinions differ).
NATURAL FORCES If a ball is affected by natural forces, e.g. wind or gravity, during a stroke, it must be replaced if it was not moved by the stroke. Otherwise there is no remedy.
BETWEEN STROKES If a ball moves or is unlawfully moved between strokes it must be replaced.
INTERACTION WITH OTHER LAWS
- After relevant interference, a ball may not score a point, make a roquet nor be roqueted.
- In a croquet stroke, the turn ends under Law 20(c) if either ball would have gone off the court had the interference not occurred; it does not end merely because a ball went off as a result of interference.
- If a ball is not correctly placed or replaced before the next stroke , it becomes misplaced and Law 27(a) applies.”
INTERFERENCE BY THE STRIKER If the striker
interferes with a ball during the striking period, Law 28 applies if the interference is discovered before the limit of claims of
the error. In all other cases, Law 33(d) applies and
the striker continues his turn subject to the law applicable to any other
error or interference that may have occurred.
INTERFERENCE BY THE ADVERSARY OR AN OUTSIDE AGENCY If the outcome of a stroke is materially affected because the adversary
or an outside agency has interfered with the position or motion of a ball
and the interference is discovered before the next stroke, the stroke
is replayed after replacing the balls in their lawful positions before
the stroke was played. In all other cases, Law 33(d) applies.
OTHER INTERFERENCE In all other cases, including
the effect of extreme weather conditions, if a ball at rest moves or is
moved between strokes or during a stroke that did not affect its position,
it is deemed to have suffered interference, there is no penalty and Law 33(d) applies.
REPLACEMENT OF A BALL AFTER INTERFERENCE If
the ball was a ball at rest, it is replaced. If it was moving, it is placed
where it would otherwise have come to rest. After interference during
a stroke, a ball cannot subsequently in that stroke make a roquet, be
roqueted, score a point for itself or cause another ball to move or score
a point.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
C. INTERFERENCE WITH PLAY
34. INTERFERENCE WITH THE PLAYING OF
A STROKE
- INTERFERENCE BY THE ADVERSARY OR AN OUTSIDE AGENCY If the outcome of a stroke is materially affected because:
- the adversary forestalled play in breach of Law 23(d); or
- the striker, the court or the equipment, other than balls, was touched
by the adversary or an outside agency
and the interference is discovered before the next stroke, the same stroke
is replayed after replacing the balls in their lawful positions before the
stroke was púlayed. Exceptional cases may be dealt with under Law 55.
- FIXED OBSTACLES AND CHANGES OF LEVEL Subject
to Laws 34(e) and 48(c)(1) (consulting
the adversary), if any fixed obstacle or change of level outside the court
is likely to interfere with the playing of the next stroke, the striker
may move the striker’s ball no more than is necessary to allow a normal
stance and a free swing of the mallet.
- SPECIAL DAMAGE Subject to Laws 34(e) and 48(c)(1), if special damage to the court is likely
to interfere with the playing of the next stroke, the striker may move
any ball so affected no more than is necessary to avoid the damage and
never to his advantage. As an alternative to moving a ball, the players
may agree to repair the damage before play continues.
Special damage is
limited to Examples of special damage include a hole on a corner spot, an unrepaired or imperfectly repaired
divot, hoop hole or peg hole and a protruding tree root, or a protruding tree root or sprinkler head. The normal hazards
of an indifferent court, including a wear hole in a hoop, are not special
damage.
- LOOSE IMPEDIMENTS Loose impediments are small
items such as worm casts, twigs, leaves, nuts, refuse and similar material
which may be removed by the striker at any time and must be removed if
they are likely to benefit the striker in the stroke about to be played.
Subject to Law 7(b), loose impediments are not outside
agencies.
- MOVING OTHER BALLS When a ball is moved under
Laws 34(b) or 34(c), the striker must
also move any other ball that could foreseeably be affected by the next
stroke so as to maintain their relative positions. However, a ball in
a critical position should only be moved to avoid inequity. Any ball so
moved, which has not been affected by subsequent play, must be replaced
as near as possible to its original position as soon as it is no longer
relevant to the striker’s line of play or, if earlier, when his turn ends.
PART 2
ORDINARY SINGLES PLAY
C. INTERFERENCE WITH PLAY
35. MISCELLANEOUS INTERFERENCE
- TURN WRONGLY ENDING If the striker quits the
court wrongly believing his turn has ended and the mistake is discovered
before the first stroke of the adversary's turn, the striker's turn is
deemed not to have ended and he resumes play. If the adversary becomes
aware of the mistake he must inform the striker immediately.
- BALL JAMMED IN A HOOP If a ball jams in a hoop
the equipment must be adjusted or replaced. If a ball remains jammed in
a hoop at the end of a stroke then, provided that the turn has not otherwise
ended and that no further stroke has been played, the striker may elect
to replay the stroke.
- BALL STRIKING A CLIP OR THE PEG EXTENSION If
a ball strikes a clip attached to a hoop or the peg, or the peg extension
when attached to the peg, it is not interference with play and there is
no remedy. However, an unattached clip or peg extension or a clip from
another game is an outside agency and Law 33(a)
33(b) applies.
- DISPLACED BOUNDARY MARKING
- If a player becomes aware that a boundary marking
is displaced he must forestall play in accordance with Law 23(c).
- If the marking was displaced before a stroke began
and the straightening of it would affect a test as to whether a ball
has left the court in that stroke or would affect the playing of the
next stroke, such test or stroke must be completed before the marking
is straightened.
- If the marking was displaced after the stroke began,
or straightening it would not affect play, it must be straightened before
such test or the next stroke is played.
- When a marking is straightened, any affected yard-line
balls must be adjusted accordingly. Any other balls in the immediate
vicinity must also be moved so as to maintain the relative positions
of the balls.
PART 3 OTHER FORMS OF PLAY A. ADVANCED SINGLES PLAY
When a game is played under the conditions of advanced singles
play, the laws applicable to ordinary level singles play apply subject to
Law 36.
36. OPTIONAL LIFT OR CONTACT
- LIFT If the striker's ball of the preceding
turn scored l-back or 4-back for itself in that turn (see Law 45 for shortened games), the striker may start his turn:
- by playing as the balls lie; or
- subject to Law 36(c), by lifting
either ball of his side that can lawfully be played, even if it is in
contact with one or more balls, and playing it from any unoccupied point
on either baulk-line or taking croquet from a ball that it could touch in such a position.
- LIFT OR CONTACT If the striker's ball of the
preceding turn scored l-back and 4-back for itself in that turn (see Law 45 for shortened games) and its partner ball had not
scored l-back before that turn, the striker may start his turn:
- as in Laws 36(a)(1) or 36(a)(2);
or
- subject to Law 36(c), by lifting either ball of
his side that can lawfully be played, even if it is in contact with
one or more balls, placing it in contact with any ball and taking croquet
forthwith.
- WHEN NOT APPLICABLE The striker is not entitled
to a lift or contact under this law if he has pegged out any ball during
the game.
- FIRST FOUR TURNS OF GAME Law 36(b)(2) overrides the provision of Law 8(b) that requires balls
played in the first four turns of the game to be played from a baulk-line.
- CHANGE OF DECISION If the striker lifts a ball
of his side under Laws 36(a)(2) or 36(b)(2):
- that is not in contact with another ball it is
thereby elected as the striker’s ball and the striker may not then play
with his other ball. If he does so, Law 26 applies.
In addition, he is obliged to take the lift or contact to which he is
entitled and he may not then play the lifted ball from where it lay
before it was lifted unless it already lay on a baulk-line.
- that is already in contact with his other ball,
he remains entitled to take a lift or to take croquet with either ball
until he plays a stroke.
- that is already in contact with another ball, he
remains entitled to take croquet from that ball until he plays a stroke.
- and places it on an unoccupied point on either
baulk-line or lawfully in contact with another ball, he remains entitled
to play it from any unoccupied point on either baulk-line until he plays
a stroke.
PART 3 OTHER FORMS OF PLAY B. HANDICAP SINGLES PLAY
When a game is played under the conditions of handicap singles
play, the laws applicable to ordinary level singles play apply subject to
Laws 37 to
39.
37. BISQUES