CROQUET,

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17964, 8 March 1930, Page 3 (Supplement)

CROQUET,

POINTS OF IMPORTANCE. The object of croquet is really very similar to that of billiards, which is to use the other balls as a means of scoring, and to be careful to finish with one’s opponent's balls, espeolally of the opponent who will play next, in disadvantageous positions. This is far more important than an extra score.

There are three main styles of playing croquet:—C~nWe, front, side play. In centre play, the mallet is swung between the legs. In front play the player swings the mallet between the feet. In side play the mallet is swung across the body, much as a golf club is. Each of these styles has its advocates. Side play, although rarely used these days, is very attractive to the onlooker. Front play is recommended for girls, and side play is used mostly by boys. Tha Correct Grip. In centre play the player should stand with the left fool slightly forward, and the grip being most important, grip the shaft of the mallet moderately low; the two thumbs should be in front, pointing as far as may be in a downward direction. The hands should be interlocked to the

extent that the third anti (he fourth lingers of the right lmiul overlap Hie first and the second 1 of the left hand. In front play the fool is more advanced than for centre play. To hold the mallei correelly, place Ihe left hand on the top of the shall with Hie knuckles in front, and the thumb either on top of the shaft or behind it. The right hand is placed some distance down the shaft with the thumb in front.

A croquet ball may be hit true, i.e., in the centre, or flown- or up, i.e., nearer the top or nearer the bottom. The true hit is most frequently used. Hitting down or topping is necessary when strokes known as rolls are attempted—when the player wishes to drive the two balls equal distances. Hitting up is used for stop shots, which are the opposite of rolls, and also sometimes for hoop running. Various Strokes. Strokes at croquet are divided into single and double strokes. The latter when the balls are driven forward together. The chief single strokes are the roquet, the rush and the hoop-run-ning. The roquet is an attempt to hit another ball with one’s own. To do this successfully the following advice should be followed. First take a good look at the object ball; then mentally visualise a straight line running through the centre of both balls, and place the maliet behind the ball to be played in a further extension of this line. Withdraw the eye and attention from Ihe object ball and bring down the mallet on the other at the exact point where the imaginary line passes, as it, were, from the mallet, head, into the ball. Some players advise walking up to the ball from a few yards away, in the line of aim, as a good preliminary. The rush stroke is intended not only to hit the object ball, but to drive it, forward- The general ideas are the same as for the roquet stroke. Having achieved command of these strokes, you will find croquet by no means a dull, but rather an interesting game.