Croquet Yesterday

Both British and French lay some claim to the invention and evolution of the game. Derivation from billiards or other outdoor sports is also claimed. All this is said to have begun around the 14th century.

For our purposes: Once upon a time, Croquet was invented in a land far away, unless you happen to live in France, England, or nearby country). People played the sport and wore strange clothing!

Croquet Today

	Bob Kroeger, head of USCA's 9 Wicket Croquet Program illustrating shooting technique

On a serious note, visit the USCA link provided. Less seriously, visit some of our other links.

Suffice it to say, Croquet has been reborn.

The USCA has developed standardized rules for American 6 Wicket Croquet (more like Chess on grass!), Golf Croquet (a simple and fast version) and, of course, 9 Wicket, Backyard Croquet.

Backyard Croquet is like Monopoly. Most everyone has played it but all play it differently. Variations on rules are many and range from light fun to obsessive! And, yes, people often still wear strange clothes!

The beauty of this game is nearly everyone can learn and play it. It can be dead serious or zany and whimsical. The young have revived and resuscitated Croquet, helping to cause a resurging interest worldwide.

One of the newest forms is "Extreme" Croquet. This also varies widely by group and region. It may involve playing in woods or wetlands to desserts, wastelands, junkyards, or—who knows. Sometimes play involves liberal amounts of alcohol which, when mixed with long hammers and heavy croquet balls, is really extreme!