Croquet Split Shot Demonstration

Occassionaly you will hear croquet players discuss the proper way to aim when doing split shots (croquet shots in which the two balls travel in different directions). Some contend that you bisect the angle while others say that you should aim midway between the desired finishing positions of the two balls. This video is an unscientific yet compelling demonstration of bisecting the angle being the proper method. You will see frame by frame the reason for this conclusion. Frame 1 shows color specific dots where the balls wish to travel toward. In the middle area of the two dots you will see a lip balm stick showing the point halfway between the spots and a toy mouse at the bisect point. Frame 2 shows the lines the balls wish to travel depicted by the mallet shaft and a measuring stick. Frame 3 shows a head on view of the aim toward the lip balm with Frame 4 showing the result. Here you can see the striker ball yellow not travelling toward the yellow dot. Frame 5 shows the mallet aimed toward the toy mouse (the bisect point for the two dots) and Frame 6 shows the result with the yellow ball travelling toward the yellow dot. There may be times that the split shot will have the mid point be the same as the bisect point but as a general rule, you will be well served by bisecting the angle of the split.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Croquet
• Split
• Shot
• Explanation