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Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQs

What are the Expectations of the Players?   
It is expected that ALL the players make the commitment of two practices a week and attend all of the 10-12 games a season. We ask that the players show up early before games and practices so that they are ready to go at the official start time. It is essential to team development as well as a common courtesy to the coaches and fellow teammates that every effort is made to make all games and practices.   We often have to turn away players due to team size limits and the Riptide wants to accept those players that are willing to make the commitment to develop their skills and help their teams. We ask that the boys and girls not participate in other sports during the Spring and that the only thing that should interfere with lacrosse is academics.  

When do I have to Register?
Our Registration usually opens the first week of October for returning players for the upcoming spring season. If there are spots available on specific teams by mid-October, we open our registration to any new players to the organization. Please see our Registration FAQs below for additional information. 

 When Does the Season Start?
Our first practices start in early February and our first games start in March. Games are played at various times on either Saturday or Sunday and may involve travel to Marin or the East Bay. The regular season usually ends at the beginning of May and can extend to the beginning of June for post season play. Please see our Registration FAQs for more specific information.

Is Lacrosse a Contact Sport?
Boys lacrosse is a contact sport. Girls lacrosse is not a contact sport. Boys in U9 and below play with minimal physical contact. The focus is on developing their lacrosse skills. For ages U11 and older, physical contact is allowed and is taught by coaches appropriately.
 
What Equipment Is Required?
Required boys equipment includes: helmet, mouth guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, stick, cup, and cleats (no metal spikes). Required girls equipment includes: goggles, stick, and cleats (no metal spikes). Please see our Lax Equipment tab for recommendations and places to purchase equipment.
 
Do you Accept Players Without Any Experience?
The goal of the San Francisco Riptide is to encourage development of the sport of lacrosse in the city. We accept players at all age levels who are new to the sport although space may be limited due to the size of specific teams. 
 
Do I have to live in San Francisco in order to join the Riptide?
The Riptide believes that every child who wants to play lacrosse should have the opportunity to learn and play the game.  However, we are often limited by the number of players we can have on a team and the field space that is available to us for practices and games.  We ask that one parent reside in San Francisco or the player attends school in the city. We do have a few players from South San Francisco and Pacifica. There are clubs in Marin and Burlingame that serve those communities. We believe it is in the best interest of the sport and families for players to participate with their local clubs.
 
Why do you have Player Assessments?
The Riptide sponsors multiple teams at most age levels. The opportunity to group players on teams by similar skill level and experience will enhance their development and provide a better lacrosse experience.  We want our players’ lacrosse experiences to be fun but also instructive.  The assessments are intended to guide the coaches in determining how best to structure the teams.  These are not try-outs with cuts, but rather skill assessments only.  All registered players will be placed on a team.   There are no assessments for girls teams.
 
How do you Evaluate Players?
Players that exhibit the more advanced lacrosse skills, athleticism, and positive attitude will be selected to play on the more competitive team within the age group. The number of players that try out at specific positions also influences the decision.  Players that are selected to play at the highest level within their age group will have to reconfirm their commitment to make all the practices and games before they are placed on the team.
We conduct player assessments for the U11, U13, and U15 boys teams during two Sundays in early November. Players are required to attend at least one session and it is recommended that they attend both sessions. The players are evaluated by a team of coaches during the assessment days.

What is the SF Riptide Policy on Playing Time?
All SF Riptide teams, with the exception of the boys’ high school team, follow the SF Riptide Playing Time Guidelines, which provides the goal that all players will receive equal playing time relative to other players in their position over the course of the season. More detailed information can be found under our SF Riptide Playing Guidelines tab.
 
Who provides the Uniforms?
The program provides and distributes uniforms, practice pennies and shorts to each player that must be returned at the end of each season. Lost jerseys will incur a replacement charge of $50. 
 
How Do I Get Involved?
Volunteer Your Time & Talent - We rely heavily on parent volunteers to help us ensure that the Club runs smoothly. There are many volunteer opportunities and you will be given an opportunity to lend your support of time during the online registration process. Opportunities to volunteer include:
 
Team Parent – The main role of the team parent is to be a main contact during the season to the other parents on a specific team to help verify games, communicate with the parents of the team, organize car pools, and to offer a single point of contact to the coaches and board members with parent’s observations.
Score Keeper– We are required to provide a Score Keeper for each home game. This requires coming to game at least 30 minutes early, and keeping track of both teams’ rosters, scores, saves, and penalties during the game. Knowledge of lacrosse rules is not a requirement but does help.
Time Keeper – We are also required to provide a Time Keeper for each home game. This requires keeping the time for each quarter as well as penalties.   Clocks are provided and we can review the timing requirements before each game.
Can I Donate to the San Francisco Riptide?
SFLC is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization and we encourage donations to support our scholarship program. You can donate online during the registration process or any time during the season by contacting a Board Member.

2012 Registration - FAQs

How Do I Register ?
During our open registration period, registration is completed entirely through our website. If you registered on the Riptide website last year, please "Log In" using your existing user name and password. If your child is a new player to the SF Riptide, please go to the above tab labeled "Create An Account" and set up an account. This is a necessary first step, will take only a few seconds to do, and there is no cost to set up a new account.

When Can I Register My Child ?
Our registration period opens October 1st and runs through October 15th for returning players. Returning players are given priority and must register by October 15th in order to ensure a place on the team. New players may register October 15th - 31st. In the event that we reach capacity on any given team, players will be placed on a Wait List.

Practices and Games ?
Our 2012 season begins February 1st and runs to the first weekend in June. Games begin in late February or early March. Most teams average 10 games a season with the potential for added participation in regional tournaments. Games are played on Saturdays or Sundays, and occasionally there will be two games played in a weekend. Our home field is the Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park. Roughly half of our games are played at Home, with the balance of Away games played in the greater Bay Area with average travel distances of an hour. Practice schedules vary by team but generally adhere to the following:
•   U9: 1x week
• U11: 2x week
• U13: 2x week
• U15: 2x week
• High School: 4-5x week

What Teams Will Be Fielded for Spring 2012 Season ?
We will field the following teams for the upcoming season:
Boys U9:   2 teams
Boys U11: 3 teams
Boys U13: 2 teams
Boys U15: 2 teams
Boys HS:    1 team
Girls U9:     2 teams
Girls U11:   1 team
Girls U13:   2 teams
Total:          15 teams (10 boys & 5 girls)

* Boy's high school team will be a combined JV & Varsity team

What Are The Age Breakdowns for Spring 2011 Season ?
A player is placed on a team based on the year he or she was born, as follows:
  U9: 9/1/2002 - 8/31/2004 Birthdate
U11: 9/1/2000 - 8/31/2002 Birthdate
U13: 9/1/1998 - 8/31/2000 Birthdate
U15: 9/1/1996 - 8/31/1998 Birthdate
  HS: Boys enrolled in 9th through 12th grades will automatically be placed on the high school team.

What Are The Registration Fees ?
  U9: $200
U11: $300
U13: $300
U15: $300
  HS: $550

What Do My Registration Fees Cover ?
Registration fees cover coaches’ stipends, field equipment, referee fees, uniforms & pennies, coaches training, tournament fees, league fees, and scholarships.

What Is Your Refund Policy ?
Our refund policy pertaining to registration fees is as follows:
• If a player drops from a team prior to the first practice, the registration fee less a $25 administrative fee will be refunded within 2 weeks of written notification.
• If a player drops from a team for any reason within the first 2 weeks of practice (Feb. 1 – 14), the registration fee less $100 will be refunded within 2 weeks of written notification.
• If a player drops from a team for any reason after February 14th, no refund is provided.

Why Do I Have To Be A Member of US Lacrosse ?
All lacrosse players are required to be US Lacrosse members in order to participate in a club program. These fees, which cover an annual membership, provide insurance coverage for supervised practices and games. Your child must have a current US lacrosse number in order to register. There are links provided in the online registration process that direct you to become or renew your US Lacrosse membership. The website is www.uslacrosse.org.

Are There Scholarships Available ?
SFLC believes that every child who is interested should have the opportunity to play lacrosse regardless of financial circumstances. We will make our best effort to offer financial assistance to players in need and have set aside funds for that purpose. Requests may be directed in confidence to the Club President (Pam Rupright) or Club Registrar (Julian Philipp).

What Is The Player Contract ?
All players must fully commit to the goals and high standards of the SF Riptide organization, including signing a Player Contract. Players must commit to attending all practices and games, putting their best effort forward, treating teammates, coaches, opponents and officials with respect, and exhibiting good sportsmanship. Our coaches will review this contract with their respective teams at the first practice and ask each player to acknowledge it by signing.

What Is The Parent Pledge ?
All SF Riptide parents must sign a Parent Pledge whereby they promise to show respect for all involved in the game including coaches, players, opponents, opposing fans and officials. This includes limiting their involvement to cheering in a positive way for players (of both teams) and leaving the coaching to the coaches. You will be asked to read and sign this pledge during the online registration process.