Errors and Faults - A Simplified Guide
| Error |
Rule
|
Action |
|---|---|---|
| Offside | ||
| At the moment a hoop point is scored, any ball that is more than half-way to the next hoop is offside unless it reached its position in that stroke, following contact with an opponent's ball, or by being directed to a penalty spot | 10 | Opponent(s) can decide to leave the offside ball where it is or have it moved to a penalty spot |
Playing a wrong ball (after first three turns of the game) | ||
Striker plays partner ball (singles) (Opponent should advise striker that he is about to play the wrong ball) |
11(b)(1) | Replace the balls and then striker plays the correct ball - thus no penalty |
Player plays his own ball but out of sequence when it was his partner's turn to play (doubles) (Other players should advise player that he is playing out of sequence) |
11(c)(1) | Replace the balls and then player's partner plays his ball - thus no penalty |
| Striker plays partner ball (doubles) | 11(c)(2) | Opponent(s) can choose (a) to have all balls replaced or leave them where they are; and (b) to restart play with either of their balls |
or Striker plays opponent's ball (singles or doubles) |
11(b)(2) | |
or Player plays his own ball but out of sequence when it was opponent's turn to play (doubles) |
11(d) | |
| Non-striking faults | ||
| A moving ball touches any part of a player, his mallet, clothes or shoes | 12(a) | If the striker commits the fault, then opponent(s) can choose to have the ball(s) replaced or leave them where they are; and opponents then restart play using the next ball in sequence. If none of the balls move, then the striker loses that turn. If the player who commits the fault is not the striker, then the defaulter (or his team) loses his (or its) next turn. No points can be scored. |
or A player touches, moves or shakes a stationary ball with any part of his body, mallet, clothes or shoes |
12(a) | |
or A player causes damage to the lawn |
12(b) | |
| Striking faults | ||
| In striking a ball, if the striker: | ||
|
13(a)(5) | Opponent(s) can choose to have the ball(s) replaced or leave them where they are. Opponents then restart play using the next ball in sequence. No point can be scored. |
|
13(a)(6)
| |
|
13(a)(7)
| |
|
13(a)(10) | |
|
13(a)(11) | |
|
13(a)(12) | |
| Etiquette | ||
Breaches of etiquette include leaving a lawn without permission, talking, moving about, arguing, not accepting the decision of a referee, wasting time (over 1 min. per shot) or marking the desired finishing position of a ball |
14 | A referee should be found. A warning is issued for the first offence. A repeat offence causes the player to lose a turn. A further offence causes the player to lose the match |
Rob Weeks
Budleigh Salterton
Croquet Club Ltd
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