Wiring is pretty simple -- six-wicket has it and nine-wicket does not. Of course, if you haven't played six-wicket, you likely have no familiarity with the wiring rule. For the full details, you can check out this page on the USCA website, but the essence is that when utilizing the opponent's balls, you must leave your opponent a shot when your turn ends.
Probably the biggest adjustment when transitioning from nine-wicket croquet to the six-wicket game is the reduction of options after roqueting a live ball. The nine wicket game offers a range of choices for your first bonus shot:
For the six-wicket game, it is simple. Once you roquet a live ball, go ahead and pick it up because you'll be playing a shot in contact with the roqueted ball. There is no option for placing your foot or hand on your ball on your bonus stroke so forget all about that one. You can play a split roll, stop shot or simple takeoff. The key for the takeoff is that you have to hit into the roqueted ball enough so that it visibly moves. If the ball does not move, it is a fault. The balls are reset and the turn is over.
The Nine to Six Series (Highlighting Differences Between Nine-wicket and Six-wicket Croquet)
Part One -- Clearing Deadness
Part Two -- Post Roquet Options
Part Three -- Boundaries
Part Four -- Wiring
Part Five -- Rover Balls
More on this series: The series endeavors to describe changes that nine wicket players will encounter when they try out the U.S. rules six wicket game. There's a lot of quality information on six-wicket on the internet, but some of it seems pretty complex and is presented all at once. The aim here is to slice this into smaller concepts to allow players to absorb as needed. Also, I need to clarify that I have been playing the six-wicket game for just one-year and have not attended tournaments. So, more experienced players should feel welcome to chime in using the comments and clarify if I am leading people astray. I do think my inexperience is useful in that the concepts are fresh in my mind. Also, for players making the jump to six-wicket, I assume the basics of the game are understood.
This month kicks off a new series that I'll call "Nine to Six" that endeavors to describe changes that nine wicket players will encounter when they try out the U.S. rules six wicket game. There's a lot of quality information on six-wicket on the internet, but some of it seems pretty complex and is presented all at once. The aim here is to slice this into smaller concepts to allow players to absorb as needed. Also, I need to clarify that I have been playing the six-wicket game for just one-year and have not attended tournaments. So, more experienced players should feel welcome to chime in using the comments and clarify if I am leading people astray. I do think my inexperience is useful in that the concepts are fresh in my mind.
Also, for players making the jump to six-wicket, I assume the basics of the game are understood -- partner balls and the six wicket pattern.*
Clearing Deadness
I'm starting with the rule that to this day, I have a hard time enacting. The rule is simply that when your opponent runs the one back wicket (see pattern here), you are allowed to clear deadness on one of your balls. You must declare clearing prior to starting your next turn. For clarification, you make think of one-back as the seventh wicket a ball scores or the first wicket as a ball starts the second half of the six-wicket configuration.
It's a challenging rule to remember and quite often beginners just miss it. I am sure there are a number of tricks players use as reminders. I know one player that takes off his hat when his opponent clears one-back. I now try to start every turn by asking a simple question in my mind:
"Do I have deadness on either ball and do I have an immediate option to clear?"
Compared to Nine-Wicket
Variations of the nine-wicket game are diverse, but in a lot of cases, nine-wicket players have no clearing rule, so the concept is totally new. However, it is listed in the official USCA options (option 1a) for the backyard game and is utilized at the USCA Nine-Wicket Nationals. When it is used for nine-wicket, it is occurs at the wicket after the turning stake (commonly referred to as the eighth wicket) There is a unique factor that complicates things a bit -- you must be behind in points to enact clearing. And further, it is the score at the end your opponent's turn that must be accounted for. Your opponent may be behind when he runs the eighth wicket, but ahead by the end of his turn. In such case, you could enact deadness clearing for one of your balls. In six wicket play, clearing can occur no matter what the score is.
*In my opinion, cutthroat or nine-wicket players that can execute split rolls and run a three- or four-ball break are ready to try six-wicket. If you are in this class, I'd find a nearby field or club and get started.
The Nine to Six Series (Highlighting Differences Between Nine-wicket and Six-wicket Croquet)
Part One -- Clearing Deadness
Part Two -- Post Roquet Options
Part Three -- Boundaries
Part Four -- Wiring
Part Five -- Rover Balls
