let to transfer itself to the ball; but in the push a new impulse is
given to the ball every instant, and this may act unfairly; for
instance, a ball is to be roqueted at a distance of six inches or a
foot. If the playing ball is pushed until it reach the other ball, the
latter is virtually moved by the mallet as much as in the
roquet-croquet, instead of being moved by concussion merely. This would
be inconsistent with the theory of the game. Again, a ball is in contact
with the pier of its proper bridge so that it cannot run it by a blow.
If a push be allowed, it might be pushed into position, and then pushed
through by slightly changing the direction of the mallet. It would thus
be played in a curved line. It may be objected to this rule that the
vicinity of the stake or the piers of a bridge may render a blow
impossible; but a little attention will obviate the necessity of playing
in constrained positions.

3. _The stroke is delivered when an audible sound is made or the ball
moved._

The habit of giving the ball a little preparatory tap should be avoided.
It is allowed to strike the pier of a bridge or the stake with the view
of moving the ball by concussion; but if the ball do not move the blow
is complete, and the error in judgment cannot be rectified.

4. _The tour of a ball continues as long as it makes a point, and
terminates with the first blow on which no point is made._

5. _To make a point a ball must either make a step on the grand round or
roquet another ball._

Croquet is not considered a point, because it is not a play of the
player's own ball but a privilege, after which the tour is continued by
virtue of the roquet.

6. _Each ball before striking out must make every step on the grand
round in the prescribed order, either directly by a blow of the mallet,
or indirectly by concussion or croquet._

"Directly by a blow of the mallet"--that is, during the ball's own tour,
whether proceeding from the mallet immediately, or by rebound from a
fixed object or the person of an enemy. "Indirectly," not during its own
tour, when moved by another ball or accidentally.

7. _Making the proper step on the round, but no other, constitutes a
point, or entitles to continuance of tour._

A step made indirectly is no point either for the playing ball or the
other, though the latter is advanced on its round.

8. _The bridges must be run from the front--that is, from the side
towards the starting stake for the f