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Regulations for Tournaments 2006

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Regulations for Tournaments

These Regulations were approved by Council in October 2000 and amended by its Tournament Committee in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006, and apply from 15th March 2006. They are arranged and numbered within Sections identified by a letter; the ones of most relevance to players, rather than to officials or clubs, are those in section P. The Regulations apply to both Golf and Association Croquet, except where stated.

The main changes made in March 2006, were:

  1. C1a - corrections to the requirements for inclusion in the fixtures calendar.
  2. M - Previous regulation reorganised and split into two sections:
    • Duties (things which the manager must do).
    • Powers (things which the manager may do should the need arise).
  3. M2d - New regulation to deal with lateness.
  4. F2c and F2g - New regulations for the determination of Golf Croquet blocks (effective from April 1st).
  5. P1 - revision to the list of fixtures which are not restricted to CA members.
  6. Appendix 1 - Additional paragraph setting out the principles for initial hoop setting.

In addition, a number of presentational, typographical and cross-referencing errors have been corrected, and clarifications made which were not intended to alter the sense of the previous Regulations.

Contents

I. INTRODUCTION
I1 Introduction

C. CLUBS AND OTHER TOURNAMENT ORGANISERS
C1 Calendar Fixtures
C2 Tournament Programme
C3 Procedures For Dealing With Entries

F. FORMATS FOR EVENTS
F1 Knockout Events
F2 All-play-all (American) Block Events
F3 Swiss Events
F4 Progressive Swiss Events
F5 Flexible Swiss Events
F6 Egyptian Events
F7 Class Events
F8 Incomplete or Unfinished Games

H. HANDICAPS
H1 Handicaps
H2 The Tournament Handicapper
H3 Golf and Short Croquet

M. THE MANAGER
M1 Duties of the Manager
M2 Powers of the Manager

O. OFFICIALS
O1 Officials

P. PLAYERS
P1 Eligibility to Compete in Calendar Fixtures
P2 Conduct
P3 Entries
P4 Conditions of Play
P5 Handicaps
P6 Trophies

R. REFEREES
R1 The Tournament Referee
R2 Referee in Charge
R3 Referee on Call
R4 Referee on Appeal
R5 Spectator Referee
R6 Assistant Referee
R7 Umpire
R8 Golf Croquet

T. TIME LIMITS
T1 Permitted Time Limits
T2 Expiry of Time Limit
T3 Limit on Number of Turns
T4 Golf Croquet

APPENDIX 1 - Hoop Setting, Ball Specification and Inspection Requirements
APPENDIX 2 - CA Trophies
APPENDIX 3 - Titles for Events in the CA Domain
APPENDIX 4 - Definitions for Championships and First-Class Events
APPENDIX 5 - Advanced Handicap Play
APPENDIX 6 - Example of use of Matchpoints to Resolve Incomplete Blocks

INTRODUCTION

 

  1. JURISDICTION. The Council of the Croquet Association and the governing bodies of croquet in Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America, have agreed that regulations for tournaments held within their respective jurisdictions are a domestic matter for the governing body concerned.
  2. TERMINOLOGY. The Croquet Association and its Council are referred to herein as the "CA" and "Council" respectively; the latter may delegate its powers to its committees. The publication entitled "Fixtures Calendar" is referred to as the "Calendar". A tournament or competition advertised therein to be played within the domain of the CA is referred to as a "Calendar Fixture" and the club or other body responsible for it as the "Organising Body"; "CA Events" are those organised by the CA or by clubs on its behalf. "He" and "his" are used for simplicity, and should be taken as "he or she" and "his or her" throughout.
  3. SCOPE. These Regulations shall apply in all Calendar Fixtures, together with any conditions consistent with them which are specifically published for a particular tournament or event. These Regulations take precedence over any extracts of Regulations printed in Laws books. Games shall be played under one of the following set of Laws:
    1. for Association Croquet, the current "Laws of Association Croquet" as published by the CA, or
    2. for Golf Croquet, the current "Laws of Golf Croquet" as published by the CA, or
    3. if specifically advertised for Golf Croquet, the current "Rules for Golf Croquet" as published by the World Croquet Federation.

C. CLUBS AND OTHER TOURNAMENT ORGANISERS

C1 CALENDAR FIXTURES

  1. REQUIREMENTS. If a tournament is to appear in the CA Calendar, the Organising Body must:
    1. submit, as soon as possible after 1st August, draft dates and, no later than 30th September, the proposed dates of the tournament to the Fixtures Book Secretary or other nominated person, to enable the Calendar to be assembled for the following year;
    2. send, no later than 31st October, a tournament programme which complies with Regulation C2 to the Fixtures Book Secretary or other nominated person, for insertion in the CA Calendar;
    3. provide standard or modified courts laid out and equipped in accordance with the Laws, with hoops set to the standard specified in Appendix 1;
    4. provide balls of identical manufacture and type;
    5. agree with the Manager the maximum number of entries that the capacity of the courts available will allow;
    6. process entries according to Regulation C3;
    7. include in the entry fee for each event such amount for the benefit of the CA, known as Levy, as is determined from time to time by Council.
    8. unless otherwise stated, provide lunches and teas.
    9. unless otherwise stated, make players honorary members of the host club for the duration of the tournament.
  2. RETURNS. The Organising Body must arrange with the Manager or another suitable person to send to the CA Secretary, or other nominated person, as soon as possible after the tournament:
    1. the full results of the tournament in the form notified by the CA;
    2. the total sum of Levy;
    3. any tournament report;
    4. receipt forms for any CA trophies held;
    5. a list of any handicap changes;
    6. details of any incidents alleged or dealt with under Regulations P2, P3(h), P5(b), P6(b), R2(j) , M2(e) or M2(f).

C2 TOURNAMENT PROGRAMME

  1. CONTENTS. A tournament programme must give the following information:
    1. the dates and venue of the tournament;
    2. the nature of each event, any qualifications or restrictions, including handicap or grading, and the entry fee (inclusive of Levy);
    3. notice of any seeding (see Regulation F1(a));
    4. notice of any authorised variations (see (b) below and Regulation M1(i) );
    5. the dimensions of any modified courts;
    6. the type of ball to be used;
    7. the width of the hoops if not as in Appendix 1;
    8. the time play will begin on the first day;
    9. the dates by which entries must be received by the Tournament Secretary:
      1. for inclusion in the initial allocation of places (the allocation date, which is recommended to be 4 weeks before the event for Championship events and 8 weeks for others);
      2. for inclusion in the list of entries passed to the manager (the closing date, which is recommended to be 2 weeks before the event).;
    10. the date and time of the draw, if known; and
    11. the names of the Manager, Tournament Referee and Tournament Handicapper (if known) and the name and address of the Tournament Secretary.
  2. PERMITTED FORMS OF PLAY. Authorised variations for Association Croquet include Full Bisque Handicap Play, Alternate Stroke Doubles Play; Short Croquet (see Appendices 3, 4 and 5 respectively of the Laws) and Advanced Handicap Play (see Appendix 5 of these Regulations); for Golf Croquet, the alternative game specified in Law 15 and any other variations approved by Council.
  3. CHAMPIONSHIPS. No event in a Calendar Fixture may be described as a Championship without the permission of Council. The conditions for so doing are given in Appendix 3. Use of certain other titles is also restricted as specified in Appendix 4.
  4. ALTERATIONS. No alterations may be made to the tournament programme without the agreement of the Manager (see Regulation M2(c) and M2(d)).
  5. DOUBLE BANKING. The expectation is that double banking will be used.

C3 PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH ENTRIES

  1. ACCEPTANCE.
    1. Entries received before the allocation date should be held and considered together on or as soon as possible after that date.
    2. If the number of entries then exceeds the number of places available, the Manager and current trophy holders shall be given priority, after which
      (A) for Championship events, the players with the highest CGS grades at that date shall be selected; or
      (B) for other events, places shall be allocated by ballot.
      For this purpose, the CGS grade of a player who has played fewer than 10 ranking games during the previous calendar year shall be reduced by 50 points for each successive year that he has done so.
    3. If not oversubscribed at the allocation date, all the entries submitted should be accepted. Entries received subsequently should be accepted in order of receipt until the event is full or the closing date is reached.
    4. After the closing date, entries may only be accepted with the agreement of the Manager, and a surcharge of 50% of the entry fee may be imposed.
  2. WAITING LIST. Surplus entrants should be notified as soon as possible and, if so requested on the entry form placed on a reserve list in the order they would have been accepted if additional places had been available.
  3. REFUNDS. Entry fees must be refunded to unsuccessful applicants in full and to those who withdraw before the closing date less an administrative charge not exceeding £5.
  4. REFUSAL. An Organising Body may refuse an entry on grounds other than those of over-subscription or ineligibility but must give the reason(s) to the person refused on request.

F. FORMATS FOR EVENTS

The following text is intended to apply to Association and Golf Croquet events. However, normal practice in virtually all International and National Golf Croquet events has been to use American blocks initially with one or more leading players in each block then competing in a knock out or progressing to a National Championship final. This has been found to meet most needs in the Golf Croquet calendar, though the Manager may adopt one of the alternative formats described below if he feels that it could apply to his particular circumstances.

For deciding the placings in American blocks the relevant paragraphs of Regulation F2 shall apply unless alternatives are published before the start of the tournament.

F1 KNOCK-OUT EVENTS

  1. SEEDING IN ADVANCED PLAY EVENTS. Seeding is permitted in any event played under the conditions of Advanced Play, if notice is given in the tournament programme. In a seeded draw, the seeds will be placed in the following order: 1, 16, 9, 8, 5, 12, 13, 4, 3, 14, 11, 6, 7, 10, 15, 2. Fewer seeds may be used as required, but the order of those used will be maintained. Seeds 1 and 2 must be in separate halves of the draw, 1 to 4 in separate quarters, 1 to 8 in separate eighths, and 1 to 16 in separate sixteenths. The byes are then allocated as per Regulation F1(c)(3). Consecutive seeds can be deemed to be equal and drawn by lot into their respective positions.
  2. SEEDING IN OTHER EVENTS. In other events the draw may be adjusted only in order to avoid as far as possible an early meeting between:
    1. players from the same club; or
    2. close relatives; or
    3. players already drawn to meet in the first round of another event.
  3. SINGLE-LIFE EVENTS. Subject to (a) and (b) above, the draw is compiled by the Bagnall-Wild method as follows:
    1. Subtract the number of entries from the power of 2 (i.e. 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256) greater than or equal to the number of entries. This gives the number of byes.
    2. Subtract the number of byes from the number of entries. This gives the number of players in the first round.
    3. Distribute the byes in the second round of the draw sheet as follows:
      1. if the number of byes is odd, one more bye is placed at the bottom than at the top, or vice versa, as determined by lot; or
      2. if the number of byes is a multiple of 4 (i.e. 4, 8, 12, 16, etc.), half are placed at the top and half at the bottom; or
      3. In all other cases (i.e. 2, 6, 10, 14, etc.), either (but consistently for an entire draw):
        1. half are placed at the top and half at the bottom; or
        2. two more byes are placed at the bottom than at the top, or vice versa, as determined by lot.
      4. Within each half the byes may be distributed between the two quarters according to the same principle; similarly within each quarter between the two eighths, etc.
    4. The names of the players are then drawn at random and entered on the draw sheet in the order in which they are drawn, starting at the top and numbered accordingly.
    5. If a bona fide entry is omitted, the name of the player is inserted on the draw sheet at the position an additional name would occupy if the number of entries were one greater and any necessary consequential adjustment is made. If there is more than one omission or more than one possible position the matter is decided by lot.
    6. If an entry is included in error, it is struck out and the draw remains valid. Example: 21 entries give 11 byes and 10 players (5 matches) in the first round. Unless the byes are to be more evenly distributed, 5 byes are placed at the top of the draw and (if so determined by lot) 6 at the bottom. Thus the first 5 players to be drawn receive byes, the next 10 players compete in the first round and the last 6 receive byes.
  4. TWO-LIFE EVENTS.
    1. The draw for the first life, known as the Draw, is made in accordance with (c) above.
    2. The draw for the second life, known as the Process, is compiled by entering on a second draw sheet the appropriate series of numbers from the table set out below. Next to each number is entered the name of the player next to that number in the Draw (see (c)(4) above). Any player who is paired with a blank opponent receives a bye.
      Entries Process Order
      1 to 4   1 3 2 4
      5 to 8   1 5 3 7 2 6 4 8
      9 to 16   1 9 5 13 3 11 7 15 2 10 6 14 4 12 8 16
      17 to 32 1st 16 1 17 9 25 5 21 13 29 3 19 11 27 7 23 15 31
      2nd 16 2 18 10 26 6 22 14 30 4 20 12 28 8 24 16 32
      33 to 64 1st 16 1 33 17 49 9 41 25 57 5 37 21 53 13 45 29 61
      2nd 16 3 35 19 51 11 43 27 59 7 39 23 55 15 47 31 63
      3rd 16 2 34 18 50 10 42 26 58 6 38 22 54 14 46 30 62
      4th 16 4 36 20 52 12 44 28 60 8 40 24 56 16 48 32 64
      For 65 to 128 players, additional columns are generated by adding 64 to each number for "33 to 64" entries and insetting the result immediately to the right of that number.
    3. If the entry is mid-way between powers of two then, to avoid an unbalanced draw and a large number of isolated byes in the process, a draw may alternatively be made as though the entry were the next higher power of two; the required number of byes inserted in the positions required to minimise this; the draw, including the byes, processed as in the table above; and finally the byes removed by moving the player paired with them to the 2nd round. For example, for a draw with between 31 and 17 competitors inclusive, byes should be inserted in order up to the number required in positions 31, 2, 21, 12; 29, 4, 23, 10; 25, 8, 19, 14; 27, 6, 17, 16.
    4. The winner of the Draw plays an extra match against the winner of the Process to decide the event winner. If the same player wins both halves of the event, the defeated finalists in the Draw and Process may play off for second place.
  5. TWO-LIFE VARIATIONS. These variations reduce a two-life event to a single-life event, so so for a First-Class event (as defined in Appendix 4) they may be introduced only in an emergency.
    1. VARIATION A . This is introduced when both lives have reached the semi-final stage and there are fewer than eight players involved. The draw is compiled on a draw sheet containing positions numbered from 1 to 8.
      1. 7 players: the player in both lives is placed in position 1 and receives a bye; position 2 is blank and the other players are drawn by lot to fill positions 3 to 8.
      2. 6 players: the two players in both lives are placed in positions 1 and 8 and receive byes; positions 2 and 7 are blank and the other players are drawn by lot to fill positions 3 to 6.
      3. 5 players: the three players in both lives are drawn by lot to fill positions 1,3 and 8 and receive byes; positions 2,4 and 7 are blank and the other players are drawn by lot to fill positions 5 and 6.
      4. 4 players: all players are drawn by lot to occupy the four semi-final places.
    2. VARIATION B . This is introduced when both lives have reached the final stage and there are fewer than four players involved.
      1. 3 players: the player in both lives plays the winner of a game between the other two players.
      2. 2 players: they play each other once.
  6. XY AND XYZ EVENTS.
    1. THE X EVENT . The players are drawn in accordance with (c) above.
    2. THE Y EVENT . Players who lose their first match in the X enter the Y automatically in the same order as they were drawn in the X.
    3. THE Z EVENT (if played). Players who lose their second match in the X or their first match in the Y enter the Z automatically, but in any order the Manager thinks fit.
    4. Byes and, in XY events, walkovers do not count as wins. Competitors who scratch from the X or Y may not enter the Y or Z.

F2 ALL-PLAY-ALL (AMERICAN) BLOCK EVENTS

  1. CONCEPT. An all-play-all (historically known as an American) block event is one in which the players are arranged into one or more blocks, not necessarily of the same size, according to the conditions advertised for the event. Each block is then played independently of the others, except that a play-off between players from different blocks, arranged according to their final placings within their blocks, may follow. In each block, every player in the block is scheduled to play the other players in the block the same, pre-arranged, number of times. A single-life block is one in which each player is scheduled to meet each of the others once only; in a multiple-life block each player is scheduled to meet each of the others two or more times. Unless otherwise advertised in advance, or announced before the start of the event, the method of determining the final placings of players in an all play all block is as described below.
  2. COMPLETE BLOCKS (ASSOCIATION CROQUET). If results are available for all the games scheduled to be played in a block, the final placings are determined as follows.
    1. Players are placed in descending order of the number of games they have won.
    2. Where two or more players are tied on an equal number of games won, and the tie must be resolved for the purpose of awarding prize(s), a play-off between players in different blocks, or qualification for another event, then the players in the tie are placed relative to each other in descending order of the number of games they have won in the games played between them. If necessary, this procedure may be repeated.
    3. If there is still a tie that needs to be resolved, Regulation M2(c)(6) should be applied.
  3. COMPLETE BLOCKS (GOLF CROQUET). If results are available for all matches scheduled to be played in a block, the final placings are determined as follows. A match shall be defined as a single competition between two players and can be comprise either a single game or the best-of-three or the best-of-five games. Where play in a block requires each player to play all others twice, each game will be regarded as a single game match.
    1. Players are placed in descending order of the number of matches they have won. Where tied games are permitted, a tie shall be regarded as half a win. Tied games shall not be permitted in best-of-three or best of -five matches.
    2. If there are two or more players with the same number of wins, the positions will be decided as follows:
      1. The players will be ranked on the number of matches won in the matches played between those players with an equal number of wins. Where this separates some players, but leaves others still tied, this step shall be repeated on the players still tied. [NB Where two players are tied this is the principle of who-beat-whom.]
      2. Only in the case of best-of-three or best-of-five matches, for any group of players still tied, the net games won in all their matches in the block will be used to separate them. Where this produces a partial result, net games in the matches involving the still-tied players will be considered. Where step (B) has produced a partial resolution, then the group or groups of players still needing to be separated shall be ranked by returning to step 2(A).
      3. For any group of players still tied, the net points in the games between each of these players will be used to separate them. If this produces a partial resolution, then the group or groups of players still needing to be separated shall be ranked by returning to step 2(A).
      4. Any group of players still tied shall be separated by net points for the whole of the original block. Again, after a partial resolution, any remaining tied players can be ranked by returning to step 2(A).
      5. If none of the above produces a result, it must down to Manager's discretion.
    3. Best Losers: On occasions it may be that the number of players who are due to progress from the block stages of a tournament is not a multiple of the number of blocks. Where this is the case, the following method will be used to determine who goes through:
      1. An equal number of players from each block will progress automatically by virtue of their finishing position, so that the number of 'best losers' needed is fewer than the number of blocks. Only players who missed out in their block by one position will be considered for the purposes of determining the best losers.
      2. The players will first be separated by the percentage of matches won in their block.
      3. Any players still tied will be separated by the percentage of games won in their block.
      4. Any players still tied will be separated by the average net hoops per game they achieved in their block.
      5. Any players still tied will be separated by the average number of hoops they scored per game in their block.
      6. Manager's discretion will be used to separate any players still tied after the above considerations.
  4. GENERAL TREATMENT OF INCOMPLETE BLOCKS. The validity of the format depends on all the games being completed and on players making the same effort to win in each of their games: a wilful failure to do so would be misconduct to which Regulation M2(e) applies. Nevertheless, there will be circumstances, such as illness or weather, which prevent all the games scheduled being completed. (d) and (e) below describe how to deal with this, for single- and multiple-life Association Croquet blocks respectively. A single-life block is one in which each player is scheduled to meet each of the others once only; a multiple-life block is one in which each player is scheduled to meet each of the others two or more times. (g) describes how to deal with incomplete Golf Croquet blocks.
  5. INCOMPLETE SINGLE-LIFE BLOCKS (ASSOCIATION CROQUET).
    1. Any player whose final placing under (b) above, had the block been completed, could be predicted to be the same whatever the outcome of the uncompleted games shall be given that placing.
    2. Any player for whom results are available for fewer than half of the largest number of games completed by any player in the block, or who has failed to win a game in the block, shall be treated as having withdrawn from the block and the results of any games he has played in it shall be ignored for the purpose of deciding the remaining placings.
    3. Having applied (2) above, if results are available for all the games between the remaining players, then (b) above is applied to determine the remaining placings not established under (1), as though the block had contained only those players.
    4. Otherwise, the remaining placings for the block are determined by a method of pairwise comparison, under which matchpoints are awarded to each player (by analogy with matchpointing in duplicate bridge competitions) as follows, and are used to construct a matchpoint table, analogous to the American Block results table.
      1. For each pair of players in the block the following comparison is performed:
        1. subject to (B) below, in comparing the available results of two players, only the results of the game played between them, and of their games against other players whom they both have played, shall be considered;
        2. if the results considered give both players equal numbers of wins, they are each awarded one matchpoint; otherwise, the player with the greater number of wins is awarded two matchpoints and the other player none.
      2. If a player has failed to start one or more games, otherwise than for reasons beyond his control, he shall be deemed to have played and lost them by the maximum margin, and all his matchpoints (but not those of his opponents) shall be recalculated on that basis.
      3. The players are placed in descending order of matchpoints awarded.
      4. Where two or more players are tied on an equal number of matchpoints, and the tie must be resolved for the purpose of awarding prize(s), a play-off between players in different blocks, or qualification for another event, then the players in the tie are placed relative to each other in descending order of the number of games they have won in the games played between them. If necessary, this procedure may be repeated.
      5. If there is still a tie that needs to be resolved, Regulation M2(c)(6) should be applied.
      6. Appendix 6 provides a worked example of the application of matchpoints, for further clarification.
  6. INCOMPLETE MULTIPLE-LIFE BLOCKS (ASSOCIATION CROQUET).
    1. The games played in a block are divided into series, such that the first game to be started between any two players belongs to the first series, the second game between the same two players to the second series and so on.
    2. Any series for which results are available for fewer than half of the games scheduled in it shall be treated as having been abandoned and the results in it shall be ignored for the purpose of deciding the final placings.
    3. Having applied (2) above, any player whose final placing under (b) above, had all the remaining series been completed, could be predicted to be the same whatever the outcome of the uncompleted games shall be given that placing.
    4. Having applied (2) and (3) above, any player for whom results are available for fewer than half of the largest number of games completed by any player in a series, or who has failed to win a game in a series, shall be treated as having withdrawn from that series and the results of any games he has played in it shall be ignored for the purpose of deciding the remaining placings.
    5. Having applied (2), (3) and (4) above, if all the non-abandoned series are complete with respect to the players deemed to have competed in them, then (b) above is applied to determine the remaining placings not established under (3), as though the block had contained only those players and series.
    6. Otherwise, the procedure defined in F2(e)(4) above is applied, except that the following clause applies instead of F2(e)(4)(A).
      1. For each pair of players in each of the series the following comparison is performed:
        (i) subject to (B) below, in comparing the available results of two players, only the results of the game played between them, and of their games against other players whom they both have played in that series, shall be considered;
        (ii) if the results considered give both players equal numbers of wins, they are each awarded one matchpoint; otherwise, the player with the greater number of wins is awarded two matchpoints and the other player none.
  7. INCOMPLETE BLOCKS (GOLF CROQUET) the validity of the block format depends on all the games being completed and on players making the same effort to win in each of their games: A wilful failure to do so would be misconduct to which Regulation M2(e) applies. Nevertheless, there will be circumstances, such as illness or weather, which prevent all the games scheduled being completed. If for any reason a block is not completed, the final placing will be left to the Manager's discretion; however for his guidance the following should be considered:
    1. Any player for whom results are available for fewer than half of the largest number of games completed by any player in the block, or who has failed to win a game, shall be treated as having withdrawn from the block and the results of any games he played in it shall be ignored for the purpose of deciding the remaining placings.
    2. A player has won not more than 25% of the games he has played, shall be deemed to have lost the remainder of his unplayed games.
    3. If a player who is reasonably placed fails to complete a game within his block for a reason totally outside his control, e.g. weather, the Manager may award the game to the player who he feels on the basis of other games played would most probably have won.

F3 SWISS EVENTS

  1. NUMBER OF ROUNDS. The number of rounds should normally be at least two greater than the number of rounds required in a single-life knock-out event for the same entry.
  2. DETERMINATION OF PAIRINGS. The following rules are applied in the order in which they appear below.
    1. Positions in the draw for the first round are determined by lot.
    2. No player may play the same opponent more than once except in the final round as a tie-break under Regulation M2(c)(6).
    3. After each round all players are grouped in order of their cumulative scores. The players within each group are then ordered as in the previous round.
    4. Pairings for the next round are generated by pairing players as follows:
      1. the top two players
      2. the bottom two players
      3. the top two unpaired players
      4. the bottom two unpaired players and so on until all players are paired.
    5. A player who cannot be paired under (4) above is paired instead with the unpaired player whose record is closest to his own.
  3. BYES AND DEFAULTS
    1. If the number of players is odd, or becomes odd by a player withdrawing, then, for pairing purposes, an imaginary player named Bye is introduced whose score is permanently zero. If a real player is paired with Bye in any round, he is deemed to win by the maximum margin. Bye is withdrawn if the number of real players later becomes even.
    2. If a player defaults in any round, his opponent is deemed to win by the maximum margin.
    3. No player may be paired with Bye more than once.
  4. DETERMINATION OF THE WINNER.
    1. The winner is the player who has won the most games.
    2. If there is a tie between two players who have played each other, the winner is the winner of the game between them.
    3. If there is a tie between more than two players all of whom have played each other, the winner is the player who has won the most games in the games between the players in the tie.
    4. If there is a tie between more than two players, not all of whom have played each other, the winner is the player who has defeated all the other players in the tie.
    5. If there is still a tie, Regulation M2(c)(6) may be applied.

F4 PROGRESSIVE SWISS EVENTS

  1. CONCEPT. A Progressive Swiss is a Swiss played as a consolation event for a single-life knock out competition, which players enter as they are eliminated from the main event.
  2. DETERMINATION OF PAIRINGS. After each round, the players eliminated from the corresponding round of the main event are included, credited with their record in the main event. They are inserted in draw order, above any players in the consolation event with the same number of wins. Pairings are then determined as in a Swiss.

F5 FLEXIBLE SWISS EVENTS

  1. CONCEPT. A Flexible Swiss is similar to a Swiss in that players are paired against those with similar records, with the exception that players need not play the same number of games. A player may, with the Manager's agreement, choose to declare himself unavailable for the time being.
  2. SUITABILITY. A Flexible Swiss format may be used for consolation, qualifying or other events where determining a single winner is not of prime importance.
  3. DETERMINATION OF PAIRINGS. When the Manager decides that games are to be started, the available players who have been waiting longest, up to the number required to fill the available courts, are ranked according to the percentage of games they have won in the event (including any main event for which this is a consolation) so far. They are then paired as in Regulations F3(b)(4) and F3(b)(5).
  4. DETERMINATION OF THE WINNER. The winner, or qualifiers, shall be those with the greatest percentage of games won, subject to any minimum number of games declared by the Manager. In the event of a tie between two or more players who have all played each other, the winner is the player who has won the most games in the games between them. If this does not resolve the tie, Regulation M2(c)(6) may be applied or the title shared.

F6 EGYPTIAN EVENTS

An Egyptian event is played as a Flexible Swiss except that players are assigned an index which is adjusted in accordance with a published procedure depending on the result of each game. Players may be paired arbitrarily when games are to be started and the winner is determined according to index ranking rather than percentage of games won.

F7 CLASS EVENTS

  1. DRAW. When there are events played in classes according to handicap, players must be drawn in such classes as their official handicaps entitle them to enter, subject to Regulation M2(c)(5).
  2. SUBSEQUENT CHANGE. If a player is correctly drawn in a class but becomes ineligible before he begins to play in that class, he may at the Manager's discretion be removed from that class and treated as an entry accidentally included therein and accidentally omitted from the class to which he now belongs (see Regulations F1(c)(5-6)).

F8 INCOMPLETE OR UNFINISHED GAMES

The following general principles should be applied to all tournaments, irrespective of format.

  1. If one of the players withdraws or is scratched from a game that has started, the other player is deemed to have won it by scoring the points he had yet to make. Handicap index points and ranking results should be calculated as if the game was completed on this basis.
  2. Games otherwise unfinished, or which were scheduled but not started for any reason, should not be counted for handicapping or ranking purposes.
  3. No player should gain an advantage from failing or being unable to start or complete any of his games.
  4. No player should be placed at a disadvantage by being unable to start or complete any of his games for reasons beyond his control.

H. HANDICAPS

H1 HANDICAPS

  1. HANDICAP EVENTS. In a handicap event a competitor must play each game at his correct handicap as it was at the start of the tournament. For tournaments which run over several weeks, such as the Longman or Mary Rose, each round shall count as a separate tournament for the purposes of this Regulation. A player may not enter a Calendar Fixture without an official handicap.
  2. HANDICAPPING PROCEDURES. Council is empowered to issue procedures for giving new handicaps and altering existing handicaps, which are published from time to time and appear on the CA web-site; see
  3. OFFICIAL HANDICAPS. Once assigned an initial handicap, players are responsible for recording their results and calculating any change in their handicap resulting from operation of the published procedures. They must ensure that any change is notified, via a Tournament or Club Handicapper, to the CA Secretary. Handicaps of Associates will be recorded on the CA database and may be published in the CA Directory. (Note: No provision has as yet been made for Golf Croquet handicaps to be recorded by the CA office.)
  4. HANDICAP RANGE. For Association Croquet, handicaps range from -3 to 5 in half-bisque increments and from 5 upwards in whole-bisque increments (though only even-numbered handicaps are assigned automatically above 12 by the procedures currently defined under (b) above). For Golf Croquet handicaps range from -4 to +6 in single stroke increments.
  5. HANDICAP MAXIMUM LIMITS. No player whose handicap is over 20 at the time of entry may play in an event organised by the CA. This limit does not normally apply to events organised by clubs, although any limit may be advertised in advance. For Association Croquet doubles, the maximum handicap a player may have is 20. Subject to this, singles handicaps are used for doubles.
  6. ELIGIBILITY FOR EVENTS. Limits on the handicaps of players eligible to take part may be set for some events. Where this is the case, a player whose handicap falls outside of the set limits will still be eligible to play provided that their handicap was within the set limits at the closing date for entries, or, if no closing date is published, one week prior to the start date of the tournament. For inter-club tournaments played over several weeks such as the Longman or Mary Rose, each round is considered to be a separate event and the closing date to be one week prior to the round being played.

H2 THE TOURNAMENT HANDICAPPER

  1. APPOINTMENT. Where an Association Handicapper is available to act he shall be appointed as Tournament Handicapper. Where an Association Handicapper is not available but a Club Handicapper is he shall be appointed as Tournament Handicapper. Where neither an Association nor a Club Handicapper is available, another suitable person shall be appointed by the Organising Body, and he will have the powers of a Club Handicapper for the duration of the tournament.
  2. POWERS AND DUTIES. The powers and duties of a Tournament Handicapper are as follows.
    1. REPORTING. To record changes to players' handicaps and report them to the CA Secretary.
    2. ALTERING. To alter official handicaps after an event, when necessary, according to published procedures.
    3. ENFORCING. To act as necessary under Regulation P5(b).
  3. APPEALS. An Appeals Committee established under Regulation O1(c) may only overturn the decision of a Tournament Handicapper if it is chaired by an Association Handicapper.

H3 GOLF AND SHORT CROQUET

The reporting requirements in this section do not apply to Golf Croquet or Short Croquet, for which separate handicapping regulations apply.

M. THE MANAGER

M1 DUTIES OF THE MANAGER

The duties of the Manager of a tournament are as follows.

  1. ENTRIES. To advise the Organising Body of the maximum number of entries that can be accommodated.
  2. DRAW. To superintend or make the draw or to nominate another to do so on his behalf.
  3. HOURS OF PLAY. To decide when play shall start and finish each day of the tournament.
  4. PRACTICE. To decide when players may practise on the courts and to inform them if they are not permitted to practise in accordance with Regulation P4(e).
  5. ORDER OF PLAY. To decide the order in which events and games are played.
  6. COURTS. To allot courts to competitors and to declare any court to be unfit for play.
  7. INFORMATION. To keep players and spectators informed of any alterations to the programme and of the progress of the tournament. If so agreed with the Organising Body, to submit results and other information for wider publication and to assist anyone reporting or sponsoring the tournament.
  8. TROPHIES. If so agreed with the Organising Body, to make arrangements for the presentation of any trophies and to obtain receipts for them.
  9. CONSULTATION. To discuss with the Organising Body prior to the event and agree alterations to the published tournament programme which do not contravene the Laws and these Regulations.
  10. EMERGENCIES. To take such other actions as may be appropriate in an emergency to safeguard the well-being and interests of players, spectators, the Organising Body and any host club.

M2 POWERS OF THE MANAGER

The powers of the manager are as follows. These should be exercised by the manager as required, but must be exercised in a manner which is both consistent and equitable.

  1. ADJOURNMENT. To adjourn an unfinished game, provided that no ball is in a critical position (see Law 6(d)), and to record the state of the game or to nominate another to do so on his behalf.
  2. LEAVE. To grant or refuse leave of absence to players (see Regulation P4(c)).
  3. PROGRAMME. To alter the tournament programme at his discretion, namely:
    1. to impose time limits under Regulation T1 or T4(a);
    2. to shorten games in accordance Laws 44, 45 and 46;
    3. to play the final game of an event in which the games have been shortened or subject to a time-limit as a full game;
    4. to play a single-life event as two-life, best of three, American or Swiss, or to play later rounds of an event advertised as best of three as best of some larger odd number;
    5. to alter handicap limits in class events and make consequential adjustments to entries;
    6. to impose tie-breaks of such form as he thinks fit, advertising the procedure to be used before the event starts where the possibility of a tie can reasonably be anticipated;
    7. to introduce a two-life variation under Regulation F1(e);
    8. to introduce double-banking;
    9. to allow extra time for double-banked games or in an emergency;
    10. to specify the width of the hoops within the range advertised for the event, in the light of the conditions and standard of play.
  4. LATENESS. If a player is late, absent or otherwise unavailable for play (other than in accordance with Regulation P4), and it is thought or known that the player will not be available following a short delay, to impose sanction as follows.
    1. If it is both possible (within the constraints of Regulation F) and practical, without significantly delaying other games or unduly disrupting the schedule, start a different game.
    2. Allow one player of a doubles pair to start a game in the absence of his partner, deeming the other ball, without incurring any other penalty. The missing partner may join the game later, but may not play a turn until after the opponents have started at least one turn knowing that he has joined the game.
    3. Start the game late as soon as both players are present. Except in Championship events, the subsequent game may be adjusted as necessary, including by one or more of the following methods:
      1. If the late player was to receive bisques, the number of bisques may be reduced by the proportion of time for which they were unavailable (rounding down to the nearest 0.5). If the late player was giving bisques, no adjustment should be made.
      2. The time limit for the game may be reduced by the time by which the player was late. Should this occur and the game is not completed by a player pegging out, the player who was available at the start shall be deemed to have won by 26 points to the number of points scored by the player who was late.
    4. If none of these are possible (or practical due to the degree of lateness), to declare the late player to have lost the game (or match). Normally a player would have to be at least an hour late for this to apply for a first offence.
    5. General Principles
      1. Lateness applies to all matches, not just at the start of the day.
      2. Doubles pairs should be considered as a single unit for the purposes of lateness.
      3. Repeat lateness in the same event should be dealt with more severely than first offences.
      4. In extreme cases, disqualification of the offending player can be appropriate.
  5. SANCTIONS. To impose such sanction as he sees fit, including, in the last resort, disqualification, on any player who is found to be:
    1. practising on the courts without the Manager's permission; or
    2. refusing to play in flat-soled footwear; or
    3. guilty of misconduct (see also P2(c)).
  6. DISQUALIFICATION. To disqualify a player if he is found to be in breach of Regulations P1, P2 or P3(d).

O. OFFICIALS

O1 OFFICIALS

  1. APPOINTMENT. Every tournament must have a Tournament Referee, Handicapper and Manager appointed by the Organising Body. The appointment of the Tournament Handicapper must be made in accordance with Regulation H2(a). A person may be appointed to more than one of these posts.
  2. POWERS AND DUTIES. These officials are together responsible, each so far as his powers and duties are herein defined, for the interpretation and enforcement of the Laws and Regulations and the administration of the tournament.
  3. APPEALS COMMITTEE. The Organising Body may also appoint an appeals committee to hear appeals against decisions of the Manager or (in accordance with Regulation H2(c)) the Tournament Handicapper, or allegations that the Tournament Referee is acting improperly.
  4. DIRECTOR. The Organising Body may appoint a Director to liaise with the host club about arrangements before and during the tournament, such as for trophies and publicity, and with the Manager under Regulations M1(g), M1(h) and M1(i).

P. PLAYERS

P1 ELIGIBILITY TO COMPETE IN CALENDAR FIXTURES

  1. MEMBERSHIP OF THE CROQUET ASSOCIATION.
    1. Subject to (2) and (3) below, only Individual Members of the CA paying the Standard, Junior or Overseas rate of subscription (see page 16), and members of any overseas Associations for which reciprocal arrangements apply, may compete in Calendar Fixtures.
    2. Council may remove or relax this restriction for certain Calendar Fixtures ("exempt fixtures"). The following are currently exempt:
      • Open Championships
      • Golf Croquet Open Championships
      • Men's and Women's Championships
      • All-England Handicap Championship
      • Golf Croquet All-England Handicap Championship
      • Longman Club Team Cup
      • Secretary's Shield
      • Student Croquet Championships
      • National Short Croquet
      • Junior and Schools' Championships
      • Grass Roots and Centre Stage Golf Croquet Tournaments
    3. A player in his first ever non-exempt Calendar Fixture is not subject to (1) above.
  2. PROFESSIONALS.
    1. A professional croquet player may not compete in a Calendar Fixture if notice has been given in the tournament programme in accordance with Regulation C2(a)(2) that professionals are excluded therefrom.
    2. A professional croquet player is defined as a player who has received and retained total prize money (including appearance money) exceeding the aggregate prize limit in the twelve months preceding the relevant Calendar Fixture.
    3. The aggregate prize limit will be determined from time to time by Council. It is currently £5,000.
  3. ASSUMED NAMES. An Associate may compete in a tournament under an assumed name if he has registered it with the CA Secretary and paid a fee of such amount as is determined from time to time by Council. The fee is currently £5.

P2 CONDUCT

  1. DOPING.
    1. Doping is forbidden, in order to protect the rights and health of players and to protect the values of fair play in sport.
    2. The substances and procedures prohibited are those included in the International Olympic Committee List of Doping Classes and Methods, with the exclusion of caffeine, alcohol and nicotine and their metabolites.
    3. Paragraphs (4) and (5) below apply only to players during:
      1. competitions designated by Council; or
      2. other Calendar Fixtures, where the substance or procedure has not been prescribed by a doctor.
    4. An offence under this Regulation is committed when:
      1. a prohibited substance or procedure is found to be present in a player's body tissue or fluids; or
      2. a player is found to have or admits to having used a prohibited substance or procedure; or
      3. a player is found to have or admits to having assisted, induced or caused another player to use a prohibited substance or procedure; or
      4. a player fails or refuses to comply with, or interferes with or obstructs, the provisions of (5) below.
    5. A player must submit to a doping test at any time when requested by an official designated by Council. Testing will be carried out by bodies approved or accredited in accordance with the requirements from time to time of the Medical Commission of the International Olympics Committee and in accordance with their recommended procedures.
    6. A player found to have committed an offence under (4) above, or comparable regulations of other Associations recognised by Council for this purpose, shall be disqualified from any events in which he was competing at the time of, or subsequent to, the offence and shall remain ineligible to compete in Calendar Fixtures for such period as shall be determined by Council.
  2. GAMBLING.
    1. A player may not accept bets on himself nor place them on his immediate opponent.
    2. A player or official may not bet nor take bets of a significant amount on an event whose outcome he could influence.
    3. A player or member of the CA, whether or not he is competing in an event, may not offer any inducement to another player or official to influence it, nor may such an inducement be accepted.
  3. MISCONDUCT. A player who contravenes these Regulations is liable to disciplinary action by the CA, which may include disqualification or a period of ineligibility to play in future Calendar Fixtures, in addition to any sanction imposed during the event. Any action taken by the Manager under Regulations M2(e) or M2(f), a Referee under Regulation R2(j), or the Tournament Handicapper under Regulation H2(b)(3), shall be reported to the Secretary of the CA for this purpose.

P3 ENTRIES

  1. PROCEDURE. Unless otherwise stated, entries for each individual tournament must be made to the advertised Tournament Secretary on a separate copy of the official CA form, giving all the information requested thereon. Copies of the form are printed at the back of the Calendar or can be downloaded from the CA website. Any subsequent changes to the information supplied must be notified to the Tournament Secretary before the closing date, if possible, or to the Manager thereafter.
  2. TIMING. For the best chance of acceptance, entries should be sent so as to arrive before the allocation date (see Regulation C2(a)(9)): all the places may be allocated on that date if sufficient entries are received. Between then and the closing date, entries will be accepted or placed on a waiting list in order of receipt. Thereafter, entries will only be accepted at the discretion of the Manager, who should be approached directly, and may be subject to a surcharge of 50% of the entry fee. The surcharge will generally be applied to CA events.
  3. DOUBLES. Entries for doubles events should include the name of the partner, failing which the Manager will allocate one if available.
  4. PAYMENT. Unless otherwise stated, entries should be accompanied by the advertised entry fee, in the form of a cheque payable to the host club, for all events entered. The entry fee includes the CA Levy and groundsmen's gratuities where appropriate. An entry may be refused if the fee has not been paid prior to the advertised date of the draw. If, however, the entry is accepted, the player becomes liable to pay the total fee and may be disqualified for non-payment.
  5. CONFIRMATION. Acceptance of entries will be confirmed only if accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope, or as otherwise stated. If acknowledgement of receipt is also required, a second s.a.e. should be sent.
  6. REFUSAL. Entries to events which are oversubscribed will be dealt with under Regulation C3. Tournament organisers reserve the right to refuse an entry on other grounds, but are required under Regulation C3(d) to give their reason(s) to the entrant on request.
  7. WITHDRAWAL. If an entrant who has been accepted withdraws before the closing date, the entry fee will be refunded, less an administrative charge not exceeding £5 for each refund. A player who withdraws after the closing date is not entitled to a refund, and none will be made for CA events.
  8. LATE WITHDRAWAL. Only in the case of illness, injury or personal emergency, and then after giving as much notice as is practicable, may a player withdraw after the advertised date of the draw, or default during an event. Any contravention of this Regulation shall render the player liable to disciplinary action and shall be reported by the Organising Body to the CA Secretary for this purpose.
  9. OVERCOMMITTAL. All entries are accepted on the condition that a player may not continue to compete in more than one event if the Manager considers that the progress of the tournament is thereby being unduly delayed. However, if a player is scratched from an event for this reason before he has played a match, his entry fee must be refunded.
  10. UNDERTAKING. By entering, players undertake to abide by these Regulations.

P4 CONDITIONS OF PLAY

  1. HOURS OF PLAY. Unless otherwise advertised, play will commence at 9.30 am. The Manager may vary this time at his discretion. Players must be prepared to play until dusk.
  2. REPORTING. All players must report to the Manager on arrival and before leaving each day. Any player who is not present or is otherwise unable to play when called upon to do so is liable to be penalised under Regulation M2(d).
  3. LEAVE. Unless otherwise stated, no leave will be granted until the draw is made. Applications for leave on the first day will be considered immediately after the draw. Leave at other times should be requested as early as possible. The Manager may refuse leave in the interests of the tournament.
  4. ATTIRE. Flat-soled footwear must be worn on the courts and, unless otherwise permitted, predominantly white clothing should be worn.
  5. PRACTICE. Unless otherwise informed by the Manager, players may assume that they may practise during the five minutes prior to the advertised start of play on the court allocated for their first match, taking care not to loosen the hoops.

P5 HANDICAPS

  1. BEFORE PLAY. Every player is obliged to record on his entry form his current official handicap (see Regulation H1(c)) and, if different, his current club handicap. Any subsequent alteration must be reported to the Tournament Secretary before the draw or to the Manager thereafter, if it may affect the block or class into which the player is drawn, or to the Manager on arrival at the tournament otherwise. A player who enters an event which is restricted on handicap may play in the event if his handicap is outside of the specified range only under the conditions stipulated in Regulation H1(f). If a player is no longer entitled to play because of a handicap change, he must immediately inform the Tournament Secretary. A player should bring his handicap card so that it is available in case of any query.
  2. DURING PLAY. Every player bears the final responsibility for ensuring that he plays at the correct handicap. If a player plays in a handicap event at a handicap higher than that to which he is entitled or in a class event that his handicap does not entitle him to enter, he may be disqualified. In knockout events in which he has not been defeated, his place is taken by his last opponent. In American, Swiss, or Egyptian events his record is deleted from the event. As an alternative to disqualification, the Tournament Handicapper may allow the player to continue to play at his incorrect handicap if it is in the interests of the tournament, but the player may not win any prize.
  3. AFTER PLAY. Any player whose handicap has changed automatically at the end of a tournament must report that change to the Handicapper or Manager before leaving the tournament.

P6 TROPHIES

  1. CONDITIONS FOR HOLDING. Unless otherwise stated, winners of trophies may hold them for one year or until next competed for, whichever period is shorter. Winners of CA trophies may only hold them under the conditions set out in Appendix 2.
  2. FAILURE TO RETURN. Trophy holders are responsible for returning trophies before the end of the period during which they may hold them under (a) above. Disciplinary action, including a ban on holding trophies, may be taken against a trophy holder who fails to do so and any such cases shall be reported by the Organising Body to the CA Secretary for this purpose.

R. REFEREES

R1 THE TOURNAMENT REFEREE

The powers and duties of the Tournament Referee are as follows.

  1. ASSISTANTS AND APPEALS. To nominate, at his discretion, Referees or Assistant Referees from the official list of referees to assist him in the duties specified below. If the Tournament Referee does not provide a list of nominated referees, then all players who are Referees or Assistant Referees in the official list of referees will be deemed to be nominated, except that for A-Class Championship events only players who are Championship Referees in the official list will be deemed to be nominated. If there are insufficient official referees available, he may nominate other suitable persons. There is no appeal from the decision of a Referee or Assistant Referee except to the Tournament Referee, before the next stroke, on questions of law and decisions under Law 55 or Regulation R2(j). If the Tournament Referee will be absent or unavailable at any time, he must appoint a Deputy, from whose decision, while acting as Tournament Referee, there is no appeal.
  2. COURT SETTING. To check that the accuracy of court settings and tournament equipment is in accordance with the advertised tournament conditions.
  3. REFEREE IN CHARGE. To place himself or a Referee nominated under (a) above in charge of a game, either at his discretion and after informing the players accordingly or at the request of either side.
  4. OTHER REFEREEING. To be available or to see that a Referee nominated under (a) above is available to act as a Referee On Call or as a Referee On Appeal.
  5. UMPIRES. To appoint Umpires. However, unless specifically identified otherwise by the Tournament Referee, all players entered into the tournament will be deemed to be appointed Umpires by the Tournament Referee.

R2 REFEREE IN CHARGE

The powers and duties of a Referee In Charge of a game are as follows:

  1. INFORM HIMSELF. If he takes charge of a game already in progress, to ascertain the state of the game. If the players disagree, he must settle the dispute as a Referee on Appeal.
  2. ACT AS EVER VIGILANT ADVERSARY. To give his attention entirely to the game and to act as an ever-vigilant adversary. The presence of a Referee In Charge neither relieves the striker of his obligation nor deprives the adversary of his right to warn that a questionable stroke is about to be played or to draw attention to any error that may have been committed.
  3. ADJUDICATE STROKES. To take up the most favourable position for adjudicating the fairness and effect of a questionable stroke. In Association Croquet the Referee In Charge should not go on to the court unless a questionable stroke is about to be played. In Golf Croquet the referee in charge remains on court for the duration of the game.
  4. GIVE DECISIONS. To decide all questions of fact and law, subject to the right of either player to appeal to the Tournament Referee under Regulation R1(a). In Association Croquet when adjudicating whether one ball is wired from another the benefit of any doubt should be given to the claimant.
  5. GIVE INFORMATION. On request, to give any information to any player concerning the state of the game at any time. However, for Association Croquet, a decision whether one ball is wired from another may not be given unless a player is claiming a wiring lift at the start of a turn.
  6. STATE LAW. To state at his discretion or if appealed to what the law on any matter is. Such information may be given before any stroke likely to be affected is played. He may not otherwise advise a player. In Association Croquet he must not state whether a ball has been moved or shaken when a wiring lift may ensue unless asked by a player.
  7. EXPLAIN FAULTS. To explain to a player who has committed a fault the nature of the fault, either at his discretion or on request.
  8. CORRECT SETTING. If practicable and not detrimental to any other game on the court:
    1. at the request of either player, to correct the setting of the court and its equipment before the start of a game;
    2. at the request of either player, to reset a boundary marking, a hoop or the peg to its previous state following a material change to it;
    3. at the striker's request only, to correct the setting, other than location, of a hoop or the peg, performing tests and adjusting balls as specified in Laws 3(a)(3) and 3(b)(3).
  9. REPAIR DAMAGE. At his discretion, to repair any special damage on the court.
  10. PENALISE BREACHES. To penalise any player for breaches of the Laws or other blameworthy conduct as best meets the justice of the case. In the last resort, he may disqualify a player. These powers should be exercised sparingly and any player aggrieved by a decision of a Referee may appeal to the Tournament Referee under Regulation R1(a).
  11. EMERGENCY POWER. To do anything else necessary to discharge his duties as a Referee In Charge.

R3 REFEREE ON CALL

A Referee On Call is the Tournament Referee or other Referee nominated under Regulation R1(a) who is asked to act before an event has occurred. Subject as follows, his powers and duties are identical to those of a Referee In Charge while he is so acting. He remains in charge until he quits the court in the belief that his duties have been discharged.

  1. INFORM HIMSELF. He must first inform himself of the state of the game so far as it relates to the matter on which he has been called. If the players disagree, he must settle the dispute as a Referee On Appeal.
  2. WIRING LIFTS. If he is called to adjudicate a wiring lift, he must confirm that the claimant has not yet started his turn and that the adversary is responsible for the position of the relevant ball.
  3. APPEALS. Either player may appeal to the Tournament Referee under Regulation R1(a).

R4 REFEREE ON APPEAL

A Referee On Appeal is the Tournament Referee or other Referee nominated under Regulation R1(a) who is asked to give a decision on any matter of fact or law after an event has occurred. He may decide the matter by observation or investigation or both. Subject as follows, his powers and duties are identical to those of a Referee In Charge while he is so acting. He remains in charge until he quits the court in the belief that his duties have been discharged.

  1. PERSONAL OBSERVATION. If the Referee On Appeal witnessed the relevant event and is satisfied that he can decide the matter without investigation, he must inform the players that he is deciding the appeal by observation and give his decision accordingly.
  2. INVESTIGATION. In other cases the Referee On Appeal must decide the appeal after investigation. He should hear both sides and, at his discretion, other witnesses. He must inform the players of anything that he has observed which may be relevant. He must then decide the matter to the best of his ability.
  3. COMPROMISE DECISIONS. In the last resort the Referee On Appeal may give a compromise decision. This may involve arbitrary adjustment of the positions of the clips and balls, the number of bisques outstanding or the amount of time remaining and the order of play. The Referee on Appeal may direct that a game must be restarted.
  4. FAULTS. The Referee On Appeal may not decide that a fault has been committed under Law 28(a) unless he is satisfied of the fact by personal observation or by the evidence of the striker or a Spectator Referee who personally observed the fault.
  5. APPEALS. Either player may appeal to the Tournament Referee under Regulation R1(a).

R5 SPECTATOR REFEREE

A Spectator Referee is a Referee not in charge, on call or on appeal whose powers and duties are confined to the following.

  1. ERRORS. To intervene to ensure that play is lawfully continued after an error is claimed or admitted.
  2. ERRONEOUS INFORMATION. To intervene if he hears a player giving erroneous information on the Laws to his adversary.
  3. BALL WRONGLY REMOVED. To intervene in a handicap game if a ball is wrongly removed from the game in breach of Law 38.
  4. VOLUNTEER INFORMATION. To volunteer relevant information to a Referee On Appeal.
  5. BECOME IN CHARGE. To apply to the Tournament Referee to be placed in charge of a game. If so appointed after he has observed that a particular error has been committed, he may not act in respect of that error or draw attention to a misplaced clip until the error has been claimed or admitted or the limit of claims has passed.

R6 ASSISTANT REFEREE (Association Croquet Only)

An Assistant Referee nominated by the Tournament Referee under Regulation R1(a) may act in a limited capacity as Referee On Call or as a Referee On Appeal. When so acting, his powers and duties comprise the following.

  1. ON CALL. To act as a Referee On Call to decide whether:
    1. a ball hits another ball; or
    2. a ball is moved or shaken; or
    3. a ball hits the peg; or
    4. a claim for a wiring lift is valid; or
    5. a fault is committed in a stroke.
  2. ON APPEAL. To act as a Referee On Appeal to decide whether:
    1. a ball has run a hoop in order or is in position to do so; or
    2. a ball is off the court.

R7 UMPIRE (Association Croquet Only)

An Umpire is a suitable person appointed by the Tournament Referee under Regulation R1(a) whose powers and duties are confined to the following.

  1. ON CALL. To act as a Referee On Call to decide whether:
    1. a ball hits another ball; or
    2. a ball is moved or shaken; or
    3. a ball hits the peg.
  2. ON APPEAL. To act as Referee On Appeal to decide whether:
    1. a ball has run a hoop in order or is in position to do so; or
    2. a ball is off the court.

R8 GOLF CROQUET

The Regulations R1 to R5 above apply to Golf Croquet with the following modifications.

  1. REFEREE IN CHARGE
    1. Wherever possible in international and major domestic events, the Tournament Referee will appoint a Referee In Charge for each game.
    2. The powers and duties of a Referee In Charge include controlling all aspects of the game, such as when it is to start, the toss, the determination of whether a hoop has been scored and recording the score. He shall remain on the court throughout the game in such a position as to observe all play. He shall forestall play if he is not in a suitable position to observe a particular stroke or needs to mark the position of a ball. He must not forestall play if he believes an error is about to be committed. Hence, if a player appears to be about to play out of sequence, or to play another form of wrong ball, play should not be forestalled until after the stroke has been played.
  2. PEGS. In Regulation R2(h), "the peg" includes the half-way pegs.
  3. NON-APPLICABILITY. Regulations R3(b) and R6(a)(4) (wiring lifts) and R5(c), R6(a)(3) and R7(a)(3) (pegging out) do not apply.
  4. FAULTS. References to faults are those in the Laws of Golf Croquet under which the game is being played and include both striking and non-striking faults.

T. TIME LIMITS

Regulations T1 to T3 apply to Association Croquet only. Regulation T4 applies to Golf Croquet only.

T1 PERMITTED TIME LIMITS

  1. BEFORE A GAME. The Manager may impose a time limit of not less than 3 hours (2½ hours in a week-end tournament):
    1. on all games in an event, provided that such a time limit is advertised in advance or announced at the tournament before the start of the event, in which case, subject to Regulation M2(c)(3), it may not be removed; or
    2. on each game in any round of an event.
  2. DURING A GAME. If no time limit has been imposed under (a) above, the Manager may impose a time limit of one hour on any game that has been in progress for at least 2 hours (1½ hours in a week-end tournament).
  3. OTHER FORMS OF PLAY. The time limits that may be imposed under (a) above for other forms of play are as follows.
    1. For matches that are best of three games, cumulative limits of 4, 7 and 9 hours for the first, second and third game respectively; time taken to complete a game after time has expired is deducted from that available for subsequent ones. These are known as standard time limits and, unless otherwise advertised, are also the minimum time limits that may be applied.
    2. For 14-point games courts between full and ¾ size, not less than 1½ hours.
    3. For Short Croquet, or 14-point games on courts that are less than ¾ size, not less than 1 hour.

T2 EXPIRY OF TIME LIMIT

  1. GENERAL PROCEDURE.
    1. When a time limit has been imposed on a game, the players should arrange for an independent person or, failing that, one of themselves to be responsible for announcing audibly that the time limit has been reached.
    2. Play then continues for an extension period in which the striker completes his turn and his adversary plays one subsequent turn. For the sole purpose of determining whether the striker's turn ends before or after time is called, it is deemed that his turn ends and the adversary's turn begins as soon as he strikes the striker's ball or is deemed to have played it in the last stroke of his turn.
    3. The side which has scored the greater number of points at the end of the extension period is the winner. If each side has scored the same number of points, play continues and the side for which the next point is scored is the winner (any points scored subsequently in the stroke are ignored).
  2. HANDICAP GAMES. No half-bisque or bisque may be played during the extension period or immediately thereafter by the player in play when the extension period ends. If play continues after the end of the extension period under (a)(3) above, any half-bisque or bisques may then be played.
  3. RESTORATION OR ADJUSTMENT OF TIME. This Regulation is subject to Law 53(g)(2) and Regulation R4(c).

T3 LIMIT ON NUMBER OF TURNS

  1. APPLICABILITY. As an alternative to a one-hour time limit imposed under Regulation T1(b), or to the final hour of a time limit imposed under Regulation T1(a), the Manager may limit instead the number of further turns to twelve (exclusive of any bisque turns) to be played by each side. The general procedure is as described in Regulations T2(a)(1) and T2(a)(2), with the following provisions.
  2. START. The additional turns shall start after the end of the extension period defined in Regulation T2(a)(2). Regulation T2(b) will not apply.
  3. END. If the game has not ended before these turns are completed, the side which has scored the greater number of points is the winner. If each side has scored the same number of points, play continues and the side for which the next point is scored is the winner (any points scored subsequently in the stroke are ignored).

T4 GOLF CROQUET

  1. PERMITTED TIME LIMITS.
    1. BEFORE A GAME. The Manager may impose a time limit of not less than 45 minutes for a 13-point game, or 50 minutes if double-banked.
      1. on all games in an event, provided that such a time limit is advertised in advance or announced at the tournament before the start of the event, in which case, subject to Regulation M2(c)(3), it may not be removed; or
      2. on each game in any round of an event.
    2. DURING A GAME. If no time limit has been imposed under (a)(1) above, the Manager may impose a time limit of not less than a further 15 minutes on any game that has been in progress for at least 45 minutes (50 minutes with double banking).
    3. OTHER FORMS OF PLAY. The time limits that may be imposed under (a)(1) above for other forms of play are as follows.
      1. For matches that are best of three games, cumulative limits of 50, 90 and 120 minutes for the first, second and third game respectively; time taken to complete a game after time has expired is deducted from that available for subsequent ones. If a match consists of more than three games, the time limits shall be extended by 30 minutes for each additional game. These are known as standard time limits and, unless otherwise advertised, are also the minimum time limits that may be applied.
      2. For 19-point games, the minimum time limits specified in (a)(1) and (a)(2) above will be 60 minutes or 70 minutes if double banked.
  2. EXPIRY OF TIME LIMIT. When the time allowed expires, play shall continue for a further eight strokes. After these strokes, the winner shall be the side which has scored the most points. If the scores are equal and no announcement has been made before the start of the event that a tied outcome is acceptable, play then continues and the side for which the next point is scored shall be the winner (any points scored subsequently in the stroke are ignored). In handicap games, additional strokes may not be taken after the expiry of the time limit, except that unused additional strokes may be taken at any time after the first extra stroke played because the scores are level. For the sole purpose of determining whether the striker's turn ends before or after time is called, it is deemed that his turn ends and the adversary's turn begins as soon as he strikes the striker's ball.

APPENDIX 1 - Hoop Setting, Ball Specification and Inspection Requirements

  1. ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS
    1. HOOP WIDTH. The clearance is defined as the difference between the distance between the inside edges of the uprights at half-ball height and the maximum diameter of the largest ball to be used on the court. Unless otherwise advertised in the Fixtures Calendar, or as stated below, hoops must be set such that the clearance is as near as possible equal to, but not less than, 1/16" for Championship and other events played under conditions of Advanced Play, and 1/8" for other, including mixed, events, with an upward tolerance of 50%. On the recommendation of the Manager, the Organising Body may alter the advertised clearance by up to 50% in steps of 1/32" in either direction, provided that this and the reason for it is publicised before play starts that day.
    2. HOOP RIGIDITY. Hoops must be set firmly and securely such that no perceptible movement occurs when the crown is pushed/pulled with considerable force.
    3. GROUND CONDITION LOCAL TO HOOPS. Hoops should be set in ground that is level and flat. The jaws of hoops should be free of "rabbit runs" and the hoop approach areas should not contain defects that will deflect a ball from its intended course.
    4. BALL ROUNDNESS. The diameters of all balls used on a court are to differ by no more than 1/32" for Championship conditions and 1/16" for others.
  2. INSPECTION. The Referee of the Tournament or his agent shall inspect every hoop each morning before play begins for both width and rigidity. Hoops which do not satisfy the acceptance standards should be re-set.
  3. NEW HOOP HOLES. To satisfy the acceptance standards on hoop width and rigidity and maintain them throughout a tournament, the hoops should be set into new holes immediately prior to the tournament. The size and depth of the initial "core" that is removed is important and depends critically on the nature of the ground. The objective is to generate a tight grip on the carrots throughout the tournament without the need for excessive packing in the later stages. For soft ground, small and shallow "cores" should be cut and substitute carrots driven in partially to form the conical holes before insertion of the hoop proper. In hard ground, the initial "core" can be larger and deeper.
  4. INITIAL SETTING. Initially, hoop carrots may be left standing slightly proud of the ground (say ½") to allow a margin for further penetration and, therefore, improved ground grip. However, should a protruding carrot interfere with the state of the game or an intended stroke, the striker should ask a Referee that the relevant hoop be knocked into the ground until the outer edge of the top of each carrot is level with the surface of the court whilst maintaining the width of the hoop at half-ball height. Any balls adjacent to the hoop must be carefully marked so that they can be accurately replaced should they be moved during the operation. No adjustment to the position of balls should be made under Law 3(b)(3). The protruding carrots should be ignored when applying Laws 13, 14 or 17; if they do not interfere, any tests should be conducted before adjusting the hoop, otherwise the hoop should be adjusted first.

APPENDIX 2 - CA Trophies

A Guidance Note for Winners of CA Trophies

  1. The CA does not, at the present time, insure its various trophies because the cost of doing so has become prohibitive. It is accepted that if loss occurs a replacement will be found, either from the small store of redundant trophies or by purchase of a new trophy.
  2. The holder of a trophy who takes reasonable care of it while it is in his or her possession will not be held legally liable for its loss. Those who feel that such loss would nevertheless be an embarrassment to them are advised to include the trophy on their household contents insurance policy schedule.
  3. Holders of trophies will be asked to sign an official CA receipt for each trophy, its plinth and any associated carrying box.
  4. Holders are also required to look after trophies with reasonable care and to return them to the CA Office by the lst April of the following year. The trophies will then be retained by the CA who will arrange transport to the next venue at which the event occurs.
  5. The CA, so as to maintain consistency and prevent damage, is responsible for and will undertake all necessary engraving of its trophies. Arrangements will therefore be made to engrave all trophies at the same time during the month of April. Holders of trophies must not arrange to have them engraved without obtaining the approval of the Chairman of the Tournament Committee.
  6. It is CA policy that in no circumstances can a CA trophy be taken outside the boundaries of the CA domain (England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Isles) and Scotland.

APPENDIX 3 - Titles for Events in the CA Domain

In order that the names of tournaments run within the CA domain are consistent and players understand the significance of the titles the following will apply:

  1. WORLD. This word should only be used when the tournament is being organised by the World Croquet Federation in the CA domain with the assistance of the CA.
  2. EUROPEAN. Similarly this word should only be used for European events sponsored by the European Croquet Federation. Normally these will have a major input from the CA and the host club.
  3. OPEN. Tournaments containing this word will be of a high standard of level play aimed at attracting top players from other countries. The tournament regulation requiring competitors to be full tournament members of the CA will not apply. The permission of Council must be obtained before an event can receive this designation.
  4. CHAMPIONSHIP. These tournaments will be the highest standard of national events restricted to full members of the CA. Permission to use the designation must be obtained from the Tournament Committee who from time to time will issue conditions affecting the grading of Championships into a series of classes.

 

APPENDIX 4 - Definitions for Championships and First-Class Events

  1. ASSOCIATION CROQUET. The following definitions will apply:
    1. A CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS. These events are top-level Championships organised by or in association with the CA, which may also be designated 'Open' events. They will be Advanced Play, use hoops set to Championship standards and be best of three (or greater) knockouts, possibly preceded by qualifying blocks. Some events will be restricted to male or female entrants only; apart from this entry will be unrestricted, except to eliminate a surplus of entries by ranking.
    2. B CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS. These are events designated or approved by the CA. They will be Advanced Play, use hoops set to Championship standards and be best of three (or greater) knockout or draw and process format. Entriy will be unrestricted except to eliminate a surplus of entries by ranking.
    3. C CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS. These are other events sponsored or approved by the CA. Entry will be restricted to a particular class of entrant. Special conditions may be imposed.
    4. FIRST-CLASS EVENTS. A First-Class event is an event played under the conditions of Advanced Play with unrestricted entry except for restrictions excluding men, women, non-Associates or players with handicaps over a stated level, or selections based on grade, or other restrictions approved by council.
  2. GOLF CROQUET. At this stage of development of the Golf Croquet calendar no grading of Championships has yet been agreed.

 

APPENDIX 5 - Advanced Handicap Play

Advanced Handicap Play is a form of Association Croquet permitted in CA events under the following conditions.

  1. Law 36 (Optional Lift Or Contact) of Advanced Singles Play shall apply. For the purposes of this Law only, "turn" shall be interpreted as "visit to the court", i.e. the striker's initial turn plus any successive half-bisque or bisque.
  2. Laws 37 and 39 of Handicap Singles Play shall apply; Law 38 (Pegging Out In Handicap Games) shall NOT apply.
  3. For Advanced Handicap Doubles, Law 43 (Handicap Doubles Play) shall also apply.

APPENDIX 6 - Example of the use of Matchpoints to Resolve Incomplete (Association Croquet) Blocks

This appendix is intended to clarify Regulation F2(e)(4) by providing a worked example. The principle is that each player is given a matchpoint score, calculated by comparing his results with those of each of the other players in turn: he receives two points for each other player with a lower number of wins and one point for each other player with the same number of wins, in each case taking into account only those games in which either they have played each other or they both have played an opponent.

Example Block with results as played:

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

A

  

+

+

-

-

-

B

-

  

-

+

  

+

C

-

+

  

-

-

+

D

+

-

+

      

E

+

  

+

    

-

F

+

-

-

  

+

  

Assume that B v E, D v E and D v F were uncompleted because of flooding, i.e. none of the players is to be held responsible.

The matchpoint table is:

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Total

Pos'n

A

  

1

1

1

0

1

4

4

B

1

  

1

0

0

1

3

6

C

1

1

  

0

0

1

3

5

D

1

2

2

  

1

2

8

1=

E

2

2

2

1

  

1

8

1=

F

1

1

1

0

1

  

4

3

A's matchpoints are calculated as follows:

Overall D and E tie for first place (their records are symmetrical and they didn't play each other, so there is nothing to separate them without some further play). F takes 3rd place ahead of A as F beat A; similarly, C is 5th.

If E had got cold feet and scratched before starting his remaining games, the matchpoints would instead be:

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

Total

Pos'n

A

  

1

1

1

0

1

4

3

B

1

  

1

0

0

1

3

6

C

1

1

  

0

0

1

3

5

D

1

2

2

  

1

2

8

1

E

1

0

1

0

  

1

3

4

F

1

1

1

0

1

  

4

2

Note firstly that only E's matchpoints change; no-one else's are affected by E's decision to scratch. E's matchpoints are now recalculated as follows:

On matchpoints, B, C and E all tie for 4th place on 3 points each. If this had to be resolved, C and E each won 1 game of those played between the three of them, so B is 6th. Applying F2(e)(4)(D) again, E beat C so is 4th, leaving C 5th.

 

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