5. A STROKE AND THE STRIKING PERIOD

1. A STROKE A stroke is a movement of the mallet made by the striker with the intention of hitting a ball for the purpose of playing a stroke and any consequences thereof. A stroke must not be commenced until the preceding stroke has ended if the outcome of either stroke could be affected thereby (see Law 33 for interference with a moving ball).
2. THE STRIKING PERIOD The striking period is the period during which a fault under Law 28(a) can be committed.
3. WHEN A STROKE AND THE STRIKING PERIOD START A stroke and the striking period start when the mallet head has passed or leaves the ball on the final backswing that the striker intends to make before striking the ball. If no backswing is used, the stroke and the striking period start when the forward swing starts.
4. WHEN A STROKE IS PLAYED After a stroke has started, the stroke is played when:
1. there is any contact between mallet and ball; or
2. the striker accidentally misses the ball; or
3. a fault is committed.
5. DELIBERATELY INTERRUPTING THE SWING

If the striker deliberately interrupts the swing after the stroke has started but before it has been played, and the mallet does not touch a ball, the stroke and the striking period are deemed not to have started and the striker may start the stroke and the striking period again.
6. WHEN A STROKE IS DEEMED TO BE PLAYED A stroke is deemed to be played and the turn ends if the striker announces his intention to leave his ball where it lies or deliberately misses the ball otherwise than for the purpose of deliberately interrupting the swing under Law 5(e). If the striker plays neither of his balls during a turn, he must state which of his balls is deemed to have been played so that he is then responsible for the position of that ball.
7. ACCIDENTAL CONTACT If the striker accidentally hits a ball before a stroke has started, the ball is replaced and the striker continues his turn (see Law 33(a)).
8. WHEN THE STRIKING PERIOD ENDS The striking period ends when the striker quits his stance under control, except that faults under Laws 28(a)(1), (2) and (3) are not committed if the touching or resting occurs after the striker has completed the swing in which he played the stroke. If the striker does not quit his stance before playing the next stroke, the striking period ends when the earlier stroke ends or, if sooner, when the next stroke starts.
9. WHEN A STROKE ENDS A stroke ends when every ball moved in consequence thereof has come to rest, has left the court or has been moved, picked up or arrested under Law 15(c) or Law 18(a)(2).