ACGC Association and Golf Croquet

There will be two croquet coaching courses held by the club in 2007:

These courses are available to any interested players, up to a maximum of 16 each. The entry fee is £15 for non-members, free to club members. Anyone wishing to take part in either course should apply to Roger Nicholls. 

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Association Croquet Course (Beginners and Improvers)
April 14 to May 19, 2007

Introduction:

This course is targeted at people who have not played Association Rules Croquet before or players who feel they would benefit from an Improvers Course. It is based on the Croquet Association Beginners? Course, designed for complete beginners to the game, so we will start with the basics but there is scope for differentiation to allow for players at different stages in their development.

Format of the course:

We plan to hold morning lessons lasting up to 2½ hours starting at 10.00 and finishing at 12.30, and one afternoon session starting at 2.00.

These will incorporate the CA course lessons, each lasting about an hour and a half, but allowing time for discussion and more game practice. We are omitting the sixth lesson of the CA course, which is mainly revision, and replacing this with an opportunity to join a club session starting at 2.00, after learning the basics, and experience a full doubles game under the tutelage of an experienced partner. This will give greater meaning to the lessons 4 and 5 on breaks and tactics.

Saturday April 14   10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Lesson 1

Saturday April 21   10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Lesson 2

Saturday April 28   10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Lesson 3

Saturday May 5     from 2:00 p.m.

Invitation to Club session

Saturday May 12   10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Lesson 4

Saturday May 19   10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Lesson 5

Equipment and Dress:

The club will supply equipment for the course. 

While croquet etiquette normally demands that players wear whites for interclub tournaments and matches, players are not required to wear white for club sessions or for the course. You will need to wear a sensible pair of flat soled shoes (such as trainers) to protect the lawn.

Participants, Coaches and Additional Help:

The course is targeted at 12-16 participants. There is a target ratio of 4/6 pupils per coach i.e 2 coaches for up to 12 pupils, 3 coaches for up to 16 pupils. 

The lead coaches John Smallbone and John Bee are both experienced CA Handicap players and qualified CA coaches. Other members of the club will be on hand to help with the sessions. The invitation to the club session on May 5th allows members of the course to get an early opportunity to try out their skills in game situations. The intention is that they have the opportunity to join in doubles games with experienced club members advising on tactics.

Fees:

The course is free to members of the club, but there will be a charge of £15 to non members who wish to try out the game. This charge will be redeemable against membership subscription.

Content of the Course

Lesson One

Object of the game and introduction to terminology
Stance, Grip and Swing
Running a Straight Hoop
Running an Angled Hoop
Crush Strokes
Replacing Balls on the Yard-Line
The First Six Hoops
Golf Croquet - The participants will enjoy finishing the first lesson with a game of golf croquet. The rules, of course, differ in some respects from those of association croquet.

Lesson Two

The Roquet
Straight Croquet Strokes
The Drive
The Stop Shot
The Roll
Split Croquet Strokes 
Two-Ball Croquet - Finish the lesson with games of Two-Ball Croquet.

Lesson Three

Revision:
Split Croquet Strokes
Hoop Approaches
Thin Take-Offs
The Three-Hoop Break

Lesson Four

Revision
Four-Ball Break
Bisques
Pegging out
Short doubles game – Finish the lesson with doubles game over 4 hoops to peg.

Lesson Five

Revision
Straight Rushes
The Cut Rush
The Use of Two Balls on a Yard-Line
The Use of Rushes to Make Croquet Strokes in a Break Easier
Start of a Game
14-Point Games – Finish the lesson with 14-Point game.