Issues and Answers

From time to time the CCA Referee is called to answer questions from players uncertain about the laws. Issues may relate to either AC or GC forms of the game. Some of these questions and the relevant answers appear below. Questions may be put to the Referee by phone (352-8174), or email (laners@clear.net.nz.)

Issues and Answers

Angled Hoop Shots

AC and GC rules

When a shot is played to make a hoop from a close angle, umpires face a difficult task because the noise of hitting the ball combined with the mallet (possibly) also hitting the hoop prevents the detection of a clear single ball stroke sound. The most likely fault in this situation is the double (triple or even more) tap. The following are guidelines for reaching a decision about such shots...

ALWAYS CLEAN
The ball cannot have been hit twice by the mallet

POSSIBLE FAULT
Likely double tap if the ball does not travel through the hoop as far as would be expected with the strength of the shot. Otherwise likely to be clean.

Hammer and Jump Shots

AC and GC rules

When a mallet hits down on a ball at an angle above the horizontal, it has the effect of causing the ball to rebound or bounce. In a jump shot the player varies the angle of downward strike according to whether a short sharp jump or longer jump is required. The natural result of hitting down on a ball is to cause this jump effect. If the ball does not jump the mallet has hit it twice or even more times. This is shown in both photography and carbon paper tests and the sound of the strike is less distinct than a well played shot.

If in an attempt at a jump shot or a hammer shot, the ball runs along the ground, a fault has been committed. (Law 28 (a) (7) AC or Law 13 (a) (6) GC.) There are other faults which might be committed playing such strokes but the failure to jump results from the "double tap" fault.

An umpire or referee called on to watch such shots may not advise the player that the commission of a fault is likely but should watch the shot being played and declare any fault which may occur as a matter of fact. If questioned as to the nature of the fault the appropriate one(s) of above law(s) may be quoted.

Dead balls

AC and GC
rule.

When 2 balls are close together and the striker wishes to knock the forward ball away, it is possible to create a double-tap fault. This can be a striking fault in GC and a fault in AC if the forward ball is dead. The closer the two balls are to each other, the more likely this is to happen.

Whether a fault is committed is a matter of fact determined by a referee or umpire.

With the balls about 5 mm apart even a stop (stun) shot cannot prevent a double tap in the top photo to the right. The blue ball slows down after it has hit the yellow, the mallet catches up with the blue ball and hits it a second time.

The only safe way to play such a shot is to hit away at an angle where the blue ball has the chance to move away before the mallet reaches it. This is shown in the bottom photo.

Handicap Play

AC rule

When a turn ends, a player with a bisque in hand is entitled to take it. Once the bisque is taken, this is the start of a new turn and playing the same ball as in the previous turn, the player can make a roquet, run a hoop or simply hit away. If the striker's ball is in contact with another, then croquet must be taken.

Contrary to the advice given one player, the striker does not have to make a roquet at the start of a bisque turn.

Dead Ball and Hoop

AC Rule

When a dead ball is hit instead of a live ball in an attempted roquet it will normally be an end of turn unless:

1. The striker's ball goes on to hit another (live) ball;
2. or the striker's ball runs its next hoop in order after hitting the dead ball.

A common place to find a dead ball situation is where a hoop croquet approach sends the croqueted ball in front of a hoop and the strikers is then forced to jump over it in order to run the hoop.

Marking Balls

AC Rule

Often players are asked to temporarily remove a ball to allow the player of a double-banked game to proceed. A common but incorrect way some players use to mark such a ball is to press the marked ball into the turf to make an indentation, remove the ball and then place the marker in the centre of the depression. The ball is later replaced after the marker is removed. Tests show that this method can lead to inaccurary.

The correct way to mark such a ball is to look down on it and carefully place a marker beside it with the marker lined up with some nearby objects such as a hoop or peg. The ball is then removed after the marking and can be accurately replaced before the marker is finally removed. Tests show that this is one of the most accurate methods of marking a ball in any position.