Snake Croquet
Snake-in-the-Grass
“Snake” is a popular variation of Golf Croquet that adds challenges and opens possibilities in the game, rewarding teamwork and a more offensive strategy. The essential difference between the two games is that when a Snake player’s ball hits its partner ball, the player gets a second shot. The threat of the second shot encourages opponents to plan in a different way, using blocking techniques, ricochets, wiring, and other methods to simultaneously open pathways to the hoop for him/herself and shut down the opponent’s options.
Snake is rewarding to top-level players, but is also particularly suitable for social play at all levels, and is an excellent way to build transferable ball control skills and develop the ability to plan ahead. The standard game is won by the first player or team to seven points, but shorter and longer games can be played, and the game is enjoyable on full-size or smaller courts. A standard game will take about 45 minutes to play, so even players with lower levels of stamina can enjoy the sport.
Snake was originated on the West Coast of Canada in around 2015, and has now spread across the country, into the US and Australia, and is creeping into clubs in the UK, Europe, and elsewhere. Those interested in trying Snake can download the official rules here; further questions can be addressed to the Snake Committee at breakrunner@vancroquet.com.
“Snake” is a popular variation of Golf Croquet that adds challenges and opens possibilities in the game, rewarding teamwork and a more offensive strategy. The essential difference between the two games is that when a Snake player’s ball hits its partner ball, the player gets a second shot. The threat of the second shot encourages opponents to plan in a different way, using blocking techniques, ricochets, wiring, and other methods to simultaneously open pathways to the hoop for him/herself and shut down the opponent’s options.
Snake is rewarding to top-level players, but is also particularly suitable for social play at all levels, and is an excellent way to build transferable ball control skills and develop the ability to plan ahead. The standard game is won by the first player or team to seven points, but shorter and longer games can be played, and the game is enjoyable on full-size or smaller courts. A standard game will take about 45 minutes to play, so even players with lower levels of stamina can enjoy the sport.
Snake was originated on the West Coast of Canada in around 2015, and has now spread across the country, into the US and Australia, and is creeping into clubs in the UK, Europe, and elsewhere. Those interested in trying Snake can download the official rules here; further questions can be addressed to the Snake Committee at breakrunner@vancroquet.com.
32 players entered the Snake Team Challenge in Victoria, BC, in March, 2022