Practice the roquet-croquet whenever an opportunity offers, as it is susceptible of more scientific playing than any other stroke.
Accustom yourself to be guided strictly according to established rules as far as you are informed on the subject.
Do not attempt to use a kind of push and call it a stroke although it may not be expressly forbidden in some manual of croquet.
Avoid acquiring the habit of standing behind the ball and holding the mallet in a perpendicular position with both hands when making a stroke, even though you play with those who do not object to the practice, as it will not be allowed on any well-regulated croquet ground. In making a stroke grasp your mallet firmly; strike squarely—take care that your wrist does not turn or twist, (unless you wish to give a twist to your ball,) and after getting your aim look rather at your mark than at your ball when giving the blow. After calculating distance, direction, &c., there is no more use in looking at your ball except to be sure you can hit it, than in throwing a stone, to look at your hand, rather than the mark.
If the enemy have an expert rover it is generally advisable to use every effort to strike him out.
As an offset to this method of play it is often advisable to neglect to make the last bridge till near the close of the game, as in this way you can venture as near the starting post as you please without the fear of being deaded.
It is often the case that you and an enemy may both be in position for the last bridge. In such a case as a general rule roquet him, then croquet or roquet-croquet through the bridge, roquet again and croquet him against the starting post, thus depriving the other side of a rover, and gaining the advantage of bringing two of your own side into consecutive play.
Leave your own ball as near your friend and as far from an enemy as possible.
Accustom yourself as much as possible to strike with one hand, as it is much more graceful, and many players allow no other blow.