Croquet is a game played on a lawn, in which colored wooden balls are driven through a series of wickets by means of mallets.

Croquet is a sport where two players (or teams) use mallets to hit wooden balls around a grass court. Players take aim at metal wickets placed around the court and/or opposing players' balls. Once all wickets have been passed through, players hit a wooden post in the center of the court. The first player (or team) to complete the course is the winner.

Be the first to complete the circuit of wickets.

Players (or teams) divide the balls between black and blue, and red and yellow. Each turn consists of one stroke, but continues if a roquet occurs or a ball is hit through the correct wicket. After another ball has been hit, the player must pick up his own ball and play the next shot with the two balls touching, a move called the croquet stroke. After this, a continuation stroke is allowed, during which a player must attempt a roquet or make a wicket. The winner is the first player (or team) who, with both balls, completes a prescribed circuit of twelve wickets and then strikes the center peg.

Croquet is believed to have been started in Ireland, having been imported there from Brittany. The game eventually spread to England where it became a popular social pastime. By 1867, 65,000 official rulebooks had been printed and circulated throughout the English-speaking world. In 1900, croquet was played in the summer Olympics. Today croquet remains a popular recreational activity and competitive sport, with championships held throughout the world.

Balls
Mallet
Peg
Wicket

Croquet is a relatively safe sport. Participants must take care when using a mallet, as injury can occur if it comes into contact with someone on the court.

Croquet calls for good aim and the ability to judge distances. Practice is key to helping one develop their skills.

Break - scoring more than one wicket in a turn

Continuation Stroke - bonus stroke played after running a wicket in order, or the second bonus stroke played after making a roquet

Croquet Stroke - bonus stroke, awarded for hitting one's ball into another;

Peg - wooden stake placed in the middle of the court

Roquet - stroke in which a player hits another player's ball

Wicket - metal or wire openings set in the law through which points are scored

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croquet
http://www.missouricroquet.com/Glossary.htm