14. HOOP POINT

1. DEFINITIONS
   1. A ball scores a hoop point by passing through its next hoop in the order and direction shown in Diagram 1 as a consequence of one or more strokes. This is also known as running a hoop in order.
   2. The playing and non-playing sides of the hoop are defined relative to this direction, as shown in Diagram 3.
   3. The planes of the playing and non-playing sides are the surfaces constructed by raising a horizontal straight line against the relevant sides of the hoop uprights from the ground to the crown of the hoop.
   4. The jaws of a hoop are defined as the space enclosed by the inner surfaces of the uprights and the planes of the playing and non-playing sides.
2. STARTING TO RUN Subject to Law 14(d)(1) to (3), a ball starts to run a hoop when it first breaks the plane of the non-playing side when travelling from the playing side to the non-playing side. However, if the ball subsequently moves back out of the hoop during the stroke and either:
   1. comes to rest in the jaws where it does not break the plane of the non-playing side; or
   2. exits the hoop entirely on the playing side
   then it is deemed that it has not started to run the hoop.
3. COMPLETING THE RUNNING Subject to Law 14(d)(4), a ball completes running a hoop when it clears the plane of the playing side while traveling forward through the hoop, providing that it comes to rest on the non-playing side clear of that plane.
4. SPECIAL SITUATIONS
   1. If a ball makes a roquet under Law 16(b) before it starts to run its hoop in order, it cannot thereafter score the hoop point for itself in the same stroke.
   2. If a ball first enters its hoop in order from the non-playing side, it cannot score the hoop point for itself in the same stroke. Having so entered, it must come to rest in a position entirely clear of the hoop or in the jaws where it does not break the plane of the non-playing side before it can score the hoop point in a subsequent stroke.
   3. If a ball in hand is placed for a croquet stroke within the jaws of its hoop in order where it breaks the plane of the non-playing side, and the stroke is played from that position:
      1. it has not started to run the hoop; and
      2. it may not do so until it is clear of that plane at the start of a subsequent stroke.
   4. A ball may complete running its hoop in order in the stroke in which it started to run the hoop. Alternatively, it may complete running the hoop in a subsequent stroke or turn unless it either:
      1. becomes a ball in hand in preparation for a croquet stroke; or
      2. is lifted under Law 13 (wiring lift) (or Law 36 (optional lift or contact in advanced play))
      in which case it must start to run the hoop again.
   5. A ball at rest cannot score or lose a hoop point solely as a result of a hoop being moved or straightened.
5. PEELING If a ball other than the striker's ball scores a hoop point as a consequence of a stroke, it is said to be peeled through the hoop.

DIAGRAM 3: RUNNING A HOOP