GoSports Croquet Set

Included:

• 6x Mallets
• 6x Colored Balls
• 9x Wickets
• 2x Stakes
• Carry Bag

Object:

Players are divided individually and take turns advancing their colored ball through the course wickets in the correct order to be the first to complete the course. The challenge is to out-maneuver your opponent and hinder their progress to stop them from completing the course before you do. The winner is the first player to complete the course and hit the starting stake.

Setup:

Mallet Assembly:

Match mallet head color with its matching color mallet handle. Twist the handle into the mallet head but do not overtighten.

Court:

The nine-wicket Croquet court plays best in short grass and is set up in a double diamond pattern (see diagram). The official full-size court is a rectangle 100 feet long by 50 feet wide, but court size and shape can be adjusted to fit available space with distances between wickets and stakes scaled down in proportion.

• Boundaries are optional and can be marked with string or flags.
• Use mallets to plant stakes firmly into ground at both ends of the court.
• Use both hands to firmly plant wickets into the ground.
• After setup, the wickets, stakes, and court should be as uniform as possible.

Court Diagram:

A diagram illustrating a croquet court layout. The court is rectangular, measuring 100ft by 50ft. It features a starting stake on one side and a turning stake on the opposite side. Nine wickets are arranged in a double diamond pattern. The wickets are numbered 1 through 12, with specific pathways indicated by dashed lines. The starting stake is labeled, and the turning stake is also labeled. The diagram shows the progression of play from the starting stake, through the wickets, and towards the turning stake, then back through the remaining wickets to the starting stake.

Players 2-6:

• Players choose a matching color mallet and ball.
• All players begin at the starting stake.
• The order of play follows the sequence of colors on the starting stake, with the top color being first.

How To Play:

Note: This version of Croquet uses casual backyard rules. The official rules can be found online, but they are more detailed and complicated.

• Each player picks a matching colored mallet and ball and begins with their ball at the starting stake, attempting to first clear the #1 and #2 wickets.
• Players only have one shot per turn, but they can earn extra shots.
• Players earn 1 bonus shot each time they clear a wicket. If two wickets are cleared in one stroke the player earns 2 extra shots.
• If you hit an opponent's ball, you earn 2 extra shots.
• The maximum number of bonus shots is 2. You cannot earn more bonus shots until you clear your next wicket or wait until the start of your next turn, whichever comes first.
• Continue alternating between players, hitting balls through the wickets in proper order and direction (see diagram) while hitting the stakes at each end too.
• If a player knocks another player's ball through a wicket, that other player still receives credit for going through.
• If boundaries are established, whenever more than half of a ball leaves the playing area, it is out of bounds and brought back in, placed one mallet length into the court.
• The winner is the first player to complete the course and hit the starting stake.

Tips:

• To improve shot accuracy, try standing over the ball and swinging the mallet between your legs.
• Look to play off your competitors' balls often. You can quickly advance through the course by hitting off other players' balls to earn bonus shots.
• Be careful about setting up your opponent. Try to position your ball where others cannot play off of it.

Please Read Before Using:

• Adult supervision is required for players under 12.
• Make sure all other players are at a safe distance before striking your ball.
• Do not use the croquet equipment for anything other than croquet.
• Be careful when handling the stakes and wickets. Keep any pointed edges away from yourself and others.
• Properly store equipment after play.

Customer Service:

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your GoSports® Croquet Set, please reach out to us at info@pandpimports.com and we will get back to you right away. We stand behind our products 100% and want to make sure you get the full enjoyment that you paid for. Enjoy!