Let’s Talk Tactics

Build a Break From a Difficult Position By Bob Kroeger and John C. Osborn

In this column, we wanted to cover how to build a three-ball-break from a difficult position. Out of curiosity, we wanted to know if it had been covered previously. And it has…in 2005! The text below has been slightly modified.

It’s quite common for the striker to have access to two other balls but have those balls be in awkward positions (not set up in a standard three-ball-break configuration). Diagram 1 shows such a situation with Blue in hand on Black going for the 5th wicket. The problem here is that Red is poorly positioned as a pioneer for #6. Assuming the striker has good command of croquet shots, it’s quite reasonable to call this a potential three ball break. The solution will be to score the 5 th wicket and attain a reverse rush on Black to the southeast (backward and to the right) landing the rush of Black in a position where the peg and Red are not obstacles to send Black to 1-back as a pioneer. Additionally, it is advisable for the striker to try to create an opportunity to use a reliable stop or drive shot to send Black there while attaining a rush on Red to #6. Diagrams 2 - 5 show this, and in Diagram 6, Blue makes a good rush to #6.

Conversely, if the striker does not have good command of croquet shots, it would be best to simply take off from Black to get a rush on Red to #6 or do nothing but shoot out of bounds and out of harm’s way. On the other hand, if Black and Red’s positions were reversed at the beginning of this sequence (Diagram 1), it would make sense for a lesser experienced break player to still try the croquet shot seen in Diagrams 4 and 5 because if the rush was not attained on the ball to get to #6 (here it would be the Black ball), Blue wouldn’t have to take the rush and would only be dead on opponent, remaining alive on partner. Reverse rushes are critical to master to give one more offensive opportunities.

Bob Kroeger’s newly released USCA American Rules 6 Wicket Croquet Strategy Videos Series is available at https://bobcroquet.com/strategy_info.htm. For questions, email Bobkroeger@aol.com.