Click here for a two minute introduction to “AC”
Click here for a 2-minute diagrammatic description of AC’s ‘roquet croquet continuation’
Click here for a demonstration of a “4 Ball Break”. Six minutes showing the game when you have practised a bit.
John Hutchinson has produced a series of diagrammatic 2-3 minute videos that explain AC and the various shots and tactics involved. His YouTube channel can be found here: John Hutchinson YouTube channel
A simple introduction
“Association” Croquet, is played with four balls, Blue and Black versus Red and Yellow. Each side has to guide their balls through a circuit of hoops. The winner is the side which scores all 12 hoops for each ball, and hits them against the centre peg. If a ball scores its hoop, it earns another shot, and if it hits one of the other three balls it earns another two shots.
The first of those two extra shots is called a “croquet”. For this, you pick up your ball, place it touching the other ball, and hit it, so that both balls move. Play this right, and you can send your ball close enough to earn more bonus shots, and the other ball somewhere useful. Skilful players can string together a series of bonus shots, and score several hoops in one turn.
Handicaps
The handicap system is based on extra turns, called “bisques”. Weaker players receive a number of these bisques, and can use them to score hoops or croquet the other balls.
Golfers!
Are you already a Golf Croquet player? Want to give AC a go but think it’s not for you? That’s very typical in most clubs with many GC players reluctant to play AC, It is true that a full game of AC on a full-size lawn can take a long time. But at Cornwall Croquet Club, we encourage a wide variety of play, and the best way to give AC a go as an established GC player is to try Short Croquet on a half lawn – games are limited to 1 hour 15 mins and super fun. Other fun version of Associaion Croquet are One Ball and Kwik Croquet – give them a go!
Read More
For the official Laws of Association Croquet, visit the Croquet England website.
For coaching advice, visit Oxford Croquet which focuses on the skills and tactics of Association Croquet from beginner level to advanced play.