Quick answer: Croquet is played by striking colored balls with a mallet through a set of metal hoops (called wickets in the United States). But there is no single universal croquet rule set: the nine-wicket backyard game, six-hoop Golf Croquet and Association/American-style tournament croquet use different courses, scoring and extra-shot rules. Before playing, agree which version your set and group will follow.
This practical croquet rules guide covers a simple first backyard game and shows precisely where it differs from formal Golf Croquet. That distinction matters: copying tournament rules into a lawn party can turn an easy family game into a confusing afternoon.
Which croquet rules are you playing?
| Version | Typical court/setup | Main objective | Turns and scoring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backyard 9-wicket | 9 wickets and 2 stakes, often on ordinary grass | Follow the agreed course in order and finish the prescribed stake sequence | Common home rules grant extra strokes for scoring wickets or contacting other balls; details vary by kit |
| Golf Croquet | 6 hoops and 1 center peg on a marked lawn | Be first to earn a majority of hoop points, usually 7 of 13 | One stroke per ball in fixed sequence; both teams compete for the same next hoop |
| Association/American six-wicket | Regulation six-hoop lawn | Score the required hoop and finishing points for one’s own balls | Includes more complex multi-stroke and ball-contact tactics |
Helpful distinction: a backyard kit may come with a printed “rules” sheet that is different from another manufacturer’s sheet. Neither should be described as the complete official rules for tournament Golf Croquet. The United States Croquet Association supports several disciplines, including nine-wicket play.
How to set up a backyard croquet game
- Identify the kit: count the wickets/hoops and stakes. Nine wickets and two stakes signal a common U.S. lawn set; six hoops with a center peg normally fit another course layout.
- Pick a reasonably level lawn: remove rocks, holes and obstacles that could make a ball bounce unpredictably.
- Place the wickets: follow the diagram supplied with the set; course order matters more than the approximate shape you remember from childhood.
- Agree on the starting place: mark where each ball begins and which color takes the first stroke.
- Choose individual or team play: four players can play separately or pair up, depending on the local rules.
- State the bonus-stroke and penalty rules aloud: decide whether passing a wicket and hitting another ball grants another stroke, and how ball placement works after a collision.
If your set has no instructions, decide on one published simple rule sheet and use it for the entire match. Do not quietly switch from nine-wicket rules to Golf Croquet once someone starts winning.
Backyard croquet: an easy first-game sequence
For a friendly introductory nine-wicket game, you can use the following simplified house format. It is intentionally labeled a teaching version, not an official USCA tournament rulebook.
- Each player chooses a ball and follows the same course, starting from the designated stake or start line.
- Players take turns striking their own ball with the mallet, trying to pass the next required wicket in the correct direction.
- When your ball legally clears that wicket, record progress to the next one.
- For beginners, give one stroke per turn without bonuses until everyone understands the order. If you want traditional bonus strokes, agree on the exact extra-stroke rule before the opening shot.
- If a ball leaves your playing area, place it back at the marked boundary point under the house rule you selected.
- The first ball to finish the full pre-agreed course wins. In teams, decide before play whether one or both team balls must finish.
Example: your blue ball rolls partly through the next wicket but stops between its uprights. Do not count a wicket just because the ball is touching the opening; make the ball clear the scoring plane according to your selected rules. If someone else knocks it through, determine whether that counts under the version you are playing.
Golf Croquet: the 7-point game explained
Golf Croquet is particularly approachable once you learn its rotation. In a standard four-ball game the sequence is blue, red, black, yellow. Blue and black are one side; red and yellow are the other. Singles players control two balls each; in doubles, teammates generally each use their designated ball.
On each turn, the player makes one stroke only. Hitting another ball does not grant a free extra shot. Both sides try to be the first to score the same next hoop in the scheduled sequence. When either side gets a ball completely through that hoop, that side receives one point and the group moves to the next hoop. The first side to reach seven points in a 13-point game wins; when the score reaches six-all after 12 contested hoops, the deciding thirteenth hoop is played.
This is a powerful difference from a common backyard convention in which each ball follows its own course and can collect bonus strokes. Golf Croquet is much closer to a tactical contest over the position of a shared hoop than a race between unrelated ball paths. Consult the USCA Golf Croquet introduction or Croquet England’s basic rules for formal rulings.
Can you hit another person’s ball?
Yes, balls can be moved by a legal stroke, but the consequence is different by discipline. In Golf Croquet, a ball may be knocked away as a defensive tactic, yet the striking side still normally receives only its ordinary single stroke. In some backyard and advanced six-wicket rule sets, contacting another ball triggers extra strokes or special placement choices. Never assume that an aggressive hit earns another turn without checking your chosen rules.
What is the correct mallet technique?
Stand comfortably, keep your eye on your own ball and swing the mallet head through the intended line without scooping or pushing it along the ground. Smooth contact is more useful than swinging hard. Many newcomers improve immediately when they stop looking up before the mallet strikes the ball. Practice from short distances first, then increase the distance to a hoop.
Although croquet is different from golf, both reward attention to face alignment and controlled grip pressure. Our golf-grip explainer discusses those principles in a different club sport; do not copy a full golf swing into croquet.
Common croquet mistakes and their fixes
| Mistake | Why it matters | Better approach |
|---|---|---|
| Skipping a wicket | Course progress is recorded in a required order | Walk the course once before starting |
| Scoring before the ball has passed fully through | A ball stranded in the hoop may not have legally run it | Check the plane and direction of the hoop |
| Swapping rule sets midgame | It changes how extra strokes and collisions work | Write down the version and house rules |
| Striking a different player’s ball directly | Normally you strike your own assigned ball | Play your own ball, even when aiming at another ball |
| Standing in the swinging area | A mallet can injure a bystander | Keep spectators clear of the stroke |
Which version is best for a family?
With young children or complete beginners, a simplified no-bonus nine-wicket race keeps everyone moving and minimizes arguments. If you have a six-hoop set and want a short but tactical match, start with Golf Croquet. More advanced American and Association croquet suit players who enjoy planning multiple-shot sequences.
For families, use age-appropriate mallets and create enough space between players. Never swing when another person is close to the ball. Lawn conditions, height and equipment matter more to safety than the score sheet.
FAQ
How many wickets are in croquet?
A common American backyard kit uses nine wickets and two stakes. Tournament Golf Croquet commonly uses six hoops and one center peg. Always follow the course diagram for your variation.
How do you win croquet?
In backyard nine-wicket play, finish the agreed course and stake sequence first. In standard 13-point Golf Croquet, score seven hoop points before the opponent. Other forms use their own scoring requirements.
Do you get an extra turn for passing a wicket?
Not in Golf Croquet, which generally uses one stroke per ball each turn. Bonus strokes may exist in other croquet variations; follow the specific rulebook or pre-agreed house rules.
Can croquet be played with only two people?
Yes. Both singles Golf Croquet and many backyard versions work with two players; each may control multiple balls depending on the discipline.
What is a wicket?
Wicket is the U.S. term for the arch-shaped metal target called a hoop in many other croquet rules. It is not a golf hole.
Bottom line: count your wickets, choose a published version, learn the ball sequence and settle bonus-stroke rules before the first shot. That turns a complicated-looking course into a playable lawn game.
