What Reg Bamford’s 16 Perfect Peg Shots Can Teach You About Croquet
We break down world champion Reg Bamford's 16 perfect shots to reveal how a simple, repeatable routine builds legendary consistency.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
In the complex game of croquet, it can be overwhelming to know what to focus on. But according to elite player and coach Mary McMahon, true mastery comes from simplifying your game and drilling down on three fundamental skills.
"I practice three main shots," she says. "A lag, a roquet, and a hoop. They're your three basic shots, and they're the three you should be practicing."
Before you can use these shots effectively in a game, you need to know your own capabilities under pressure. That's what practice is for. "How do you know your comfort zone if you haven't done this?" Mary asks. "It's about consistency. What you can do with 80% accuracy is your comfort zone. That's what you do."
Here is her guide to the three essential shots that form the foundation of winning croquet.
1. The Lag: The Art of Strategic Placement
Many players think the goal is to get their ball as close to the next hoop as possible. This, Mary warns, is a trap. The true skill is the "lag"- placing your ball in the most advantageous position, which is often further away from the hoop than lots of players think.
"Unfortunately, too many players are obsessed with putting their ball as close as possible to the hoop," she explains. "When I played a lot of the better players, they were all going further back. I'm gonna put my ball in close. Well, all I was doing was setting myself up as fodder, because all they did was whack me away and their ball stayed there."
A good lag puts you in your hoop-running comfort zone while making you a difficult target for your opponent.
2. The Roquet: The Tool of Control
The roquet is the engine of your game. It is the fundamental tool that allows you to control the lawn, move your opponent's balls, set up breaks, and execute your strategy. Building a reliable roquet is about developing the confidence to hit another ball from a distance with a high degree of accuracy.
3. The Hoop Run: The Name of the Game
Running a hoop is how you score points, yet players often talk themselves out of the opportunity. They see an opponent's ball nearby and choose a defensive clearing shot instead, losing their chance at the hoop. Mary's advice is simple: be brave.
"If you are there, you've practiced running hoops, go have the confidence," she urges. "What's the worst that can happen? You miss. But if you start saying to yourself, 'Oh, I better get rid of them,' they're just gonna come back and they might block you, and you may never see that hoop ever again. Go for it."
Ultimately, all the fancy shots in the world mean nothing without a solid foundation.
"You can't do jump shots and all those things until you get the basics," Mary concludes.
"Get the basics right. The rest will flow."
"Get the basics right. The rest will flow."
Master the Fundamentals with a Coach
Understanding these three shots is the first step. Mastering them is the next. A coach can provide you with specific drills and expert feedback to improve your lagging, perfect your roquet, and build your hoop-running confidence.
Book a coaching session to get targeted instruction on the three shots that will transform your game.
Sign up to get coaching.
Related Articles
Mary’s Practice Refining Her Technique Improved Her Results
Feeling stuck at your current handicap? Read the inspiring story of how Mary McMahon embraced coaching and making a technique improvement led to a major breakthrough.
Are You Playing or Practising? A Top Player Explains the Difference
Learn the critical difference between playing and deliberate practice. This expert guide provides a blueprint to structure your training and unlock your true potential on the lawn