How to Swing a Croquet Mallet

If you have decided to take up croquet, it's important to develop control over the mallet. Croquet mallets are awkward and the balls quite heavy. Uncontrolled swings can result in wild shots and injury to yourself or other players. Spend some time getting a feel for the equipment and you'll be able to play the game successfully. Read on to learn how to swing a croquet mallet.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Croquet mallet
• Croquet ball

1. Determine what type of swing you need. When a powerful shot is required to gain distance, try a golf swing. Hold the mallet in the same way that you would hold a golf club, straight in front of you with the head facing side to side. Place your non-dominant hand high on the mallet--on the grip if it has one--with your dominant hand just below it. Bring the mallet back at a 30-degree angle and give the ball a powerful, forward smack.

2. Choose a between-the-legs swing for more controlled shots, when the goal is accuracy over distance. Stand with your legs spread shoulder width and hang the mallet down in front of you. The ball must sit between your legs. Eye up one side of the mallet to the ball, then pull the mallet back away from the ball. Carefully swing the mallet forward and hit the ball firmly but gently.

3. Use a side variation of the between-the-legs swing for the utmost control. Rather than hitting the ball with the end of a mallet head, turn the mallet so the ball faces the side of it. Put the mallet beside the ball and don't pull back. Instead, push the ball forward in one smooth motion. It's illegal to walk the ball forward while touching the mallet, so make sure you give it one quick shove, not a long sweeping push. This variation of the croquet swing is useful when your ball is in tight quarters and you have no room for a traditional swing.

4. Improve your croquet mallet swings by letting go with your dominant hand and swinging only with your secondary arm. This technique teaches you to work with the momentum of the swing, rather than using dominant muscles to strain against it.

[johnclark]

on 2/4/2009 Utter rubbish! No-one in their right mind would ever play a stroke as described in Step 1, and the action described in Step 3 is illegal under the rules of the game. This is the only How-To article I've read, and given it's reliability, it will be the last.