CROQUET COACHING: Hoop Running

10 January 2005
by John Riches

One often hears players attributing the loss of a game to the fact that they "kept sticking in hoops". The problem is usually best rectified by working on improving their hoop approaches, rather than their hoop running; but nevertheless there are several points that the player must get right in order to be able to run hoops confidently and consistently:

1.  Take a proper backswing. Some players deliberately shorten the backswing when running hoops, and some misguided coaches have even advised it, but one of the most important principles of good hoop running is that the backswing must be high enough to provide all the force needed, without the player having to make any use of muscles in his fingers, hands, wrists or forearms.
The mallet must be swung smoothly from the shoulders. It is far better to use a longer backswing than necessary, rather than one which is in any way shortened.

2.  Do not tighten the grip during the swing . The mallet should be held with the desired grip tension - a comfortably relaxed grip - while the shot is being lined up. The player who has problems in this area should consciously "feel" the pressure of his fingertips against the handle of the mallet, and then maintain the same even pressure throughout the swing.

3.  Do not hurry the forward swing. The tendency to "jab" is difficult for many players to cope with, and is best overcome by concentrating on maintaining an even grip tension as explained above.

4.  Swing down through the ball with the mallet tilted slightly forward.
This will give the ball topspin which will help it "kick" through the hoop if it hits the sides. Do not use a flat forward "push", and do not try to hit upward at the ball, or through the top of the ball.

5.  Follow through low toward the hoop. Never attempt to run a hoop with a stop-shot action.

6.  For fairly sidey hoops aim your swing through the centre of the ball at the inside edge of the far hoop-leg. This is much better than thinking about the need for the ball to miss the near hoop-leg. For very sidey hoops, learn to play jump shots with a relaxed, smooth, unhurried action.