This month kicks off a new series that I'll call "Nine to Six" that endeavors to describe changes that nine wicket players will encounter when they try out the U.S. rules six wicket game. There's a lot of quality information on six-wicket on the internet, but some of it seems pretty complex and is presented all at once. The aim here is to slice this into smaller concepts to allow players to absorb as needed. Also, I need to clarify that I have been playing the six-wicket game for just one-year and have not attended tournaments. So, more experienced players should feel welcome to chime in using the comments and clarify if I am leading people astray. I do think my inexperience is useful in that the concepts are fresh in my mind.
Also, for players making the jump to six-wicket, I assume the basics of the game are understood -- partner balls and the six wicket pattern.*
Clearing Deadness
I'm starting with the rule that to this day, I have a hard time enacting. The rule is simply that when your opponent runs the one back wicket (see pattern here), you are allowed to clear deadness on one of your balls. You must declare clearing prior to starting your next turn. For clarification, you make think of one-back as the seventh wicket a ball scores or the first wicket as a ball starts the second half of the six-wicket configuration.
It's a challenging rule to remember and quite often beginners just miss it. I am sure there are a number of tricks players use as reminders. I know one player that takes off his hat when his opponent clears one-back. I now try to start every turn by asking a simple question in my mind:
"Do I have deadness on either ball and do I have an immediate option to clear?"
Compared to Nine-Wicket
Variations of the nine-wicket game are diverse, but in a lot of cases, nine-wicket players have no clearing rule, so the concept is totally new. However, it is listed in the official USCA options (option 1a) for the backyard game and is utilized at the USCA Nine-Wicket Nationals. When it is used for nine-wicket, it is occurs at the wicket after the turning stake (commonly referred to as the eighth wicket) There is a unique factor that complicates things a bit -- you must be behind in points to enact clearing. And further, it is the score at the end your opponent's turn that must be accounted for. Your opponent may be behind when he runs the eighth wicket, but ahead by the end of his turn. In such case, you could enact deadness clearing for one of your balls. In six wicket play, clearing can occur no matter what the score is.
*In my opinion, cutthroat or nine-wicket players that can execute split rolls and run a three- or four-ball break are ready to try six-wicket. If you are in this class, I'd find a nearby field or club and get started.
The Nine to Six Series (Highlighting Differences Between Nine-wicket and Six-wicket Croquet)
Part One -- Clearing Deadness
Part Two -- Post Roquet Options
Part Three -- Boundaries
Part Four -- Wiring
Part Five -- Rover Balls