Black Hits the Tice Ball: One Answer of Many

This situation occurs all the time, and so we all need to be aware of the many alternatives available. The biggest thing is to go out and try these for yourself to see which suits you. Remember that a World Class player will no doubt tackle things a lot differently! You could:

1. try to make hoop 1?
2. roll both balls to the west border level with hoop 6 and set your self a rush on the opponent's ball to your east border ball?
3. send the opponent ball to about 5 yards SW of hoop 2 and set your partner a rush to it?
4. hit the opponent ball out of court about a yard north of your partner ball while running your striker's ball 3-4 yards past the peg?

The standard method for State Level and higher players would be to play a slightly thick take off moving opponent to the maximum distance spot and about 2 yards in lawn on the Western side and then leave a good rush to just south of this ball for partner at the max distance spot on the East boundary....This ensures:

1. A higher likelihood of leaving a good rush and not a double
2. The ability to croquet partner to 2 from closer, moving the strikers ball less than 2 yards
3. If you succeed, you will leave your oppo with a 19 yard shot

The animated example (NOT a definitive answer!) shows a pass roll where the opponent ball is left several yards from the peg and the striker ball ends up near partner. A rush can be then left which does not leave a double target.

If the pass roll leaves the striker a long way from partner, then the setting of a rush could be problematic. In this case it may well be better to hit out quite close to partner. A true double target may well not be left for yellow due to hoop #3 being in the way, and a miss by Yellow will leave many great options for Blue and Black.