Parent and Player Expectations:
PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Red Stick Lacrosse understands parents have busy schedules; however, we strongly encourage a parent or guardian to attend the FIRST practice and the LAST practice of the season. This will allow coaches and staff to relay important information about the program and answer questions.
Adults responsible for their player need to be a maximum of 30 minutes from where sessions are held in case of emergency or inclement weather.
Parents are welcome at all practices and games but are asked to remain on the spectator sideline or in the parking lot during sessions, unless their involvement is requested by coaching staff.
Players are responsible for their own hydration during sessions. Snacks and refreshments may be provided periodically by Red Stick Lacrosse but are not guaranteed.
Players are not allowed to participate if they have not been officially registered for the season.
COMMUNICATION:
TeamLinkt is the primary form of communication throughout the season. Parents, coaches, players, and staff communicate through TeamLinkt – all other forms of communication during this time may delay a response. This includes notifications regarding cancellations, delays, or tardies. Parents, coaches, staff, and players are welcome to provide photos in their group provided they are Red Stick Lacrosse related. TeamLinkt can be downloaded through an app store on their phone free of charge. Payment of any kind is not necessary to access and utilize TeamLinkt. Each season/division is divided into a TeamLinkt “Group”, e.g. “Fall Ball Mustangs 2024”; if the user is not in the correct group they will not receive the correct notifications or information.
Email can be used to contact Red Stick Lacrosse’s directors or the program, as a whole. Social media should not be used as a form of communication regarding important questions or concerns.
PRACTICE ATTENDANCE:
All players should arrive to practice 15 minutes prior to the start of practice time. This allows for the players to be fully dressed for practice and the practice can start on time.
Advance notice is encouraged if a player is going to be late.
Missing players can affect how coaches plan for practices and games and can affect the game play of the team. The intent of this policy is to provide a fair and safe environment for the lacrosse players in the program.
The following is to be considered excused absences if the team's head coach is notified at least 1 hour prior to practice time. If a 1 hour notice is not provided to the coach, the absence could be considered unexcused.
- Medical situations
- Religious events
- Extenuating family circumstances (death in the family, family illness, etc.)
If a participant is playing multiple sports during the lacrosse season, the player is required to attend at least 2 practices a week. Any other arrangements must be agreed upon with the coach ahead of time.
Unexcused absences could result in being held out of the next scheduled game. Unexcused absences are not to be cumulative over the season, but only addressed in the next scheduled game following the absence.
GAME ARRIVAL:
All players should arrive to their games 45 minutes prior to game time, unless an earlier time is specified by the head coach. This allows for the players to start warmups and be available for a roster check by the opposing team. If a player arrives late after roster check, it is the opposing team's discretion to allow a late check-in of the player.
If a player is going to be late to pre-game warmups or the game, a 2 hour advance notice must be given to the head coach of the player's team.
SPORTSMANSHIP:
Coaches, players, parents, and fans of Red Stick Lacrosse must remember that they represent the Greater Baton Rouge Lacrosse community and the sport of lacrosse at large at all venues in which we play. As such, all participants Red Stick Lacrosse will exhibit good sportsmanship as a representative of the lacrosse community. Respect for officials, coaches, teammates, and opposing players must be displayed at all times. Unsportsmanlike behavior, including degrading teammates, being disrespectful to coaches and officials, and throwing of equipment will not be tolerated.
REFUND POLICY:
Unless otherwise stated within the registration for certain programs, the below policy applies to our programs. Once a program has started the funds collected are spent on fields and supplies. Special considerations can be considered and are determined by the Red Stick Lacrosse Board of Directors.
- Refund requests 7 days or more from the scheduled program start date are eligible to receive a 100% refund of the total program fees less the credit card and processing fees.
- Refund requests 6 days or fewer from the program start date are eligible to receive a 75% refund of the total program fees less the credit card and processing fees.
- Refund requests 3 days or fewer from the program start date are eligible to receive a 50% refund of total program fees less the credit card and processing fees.
- Refund requests on or after the program start date are not eligible to receive a refund.
Weather Policy:
NOTIFICATION:
Notifications regarding cancellations or rescheduling will be posted on TeamLinkt as soon as permitted.
GAME-DAY WEATHER POLICY:
Cancelation of games due to weather will be made at least one hour before the game by Red Stick Lacrosse Directors.
In the case of a lightning strike within 7 miles of practice/game, game play will resume 30 minutes after the last lightning strike.
Always assume that games will be played unless otherwise contacted by your team's coach/staff via TeamLinkt.
PRACTICE WEATHER POLICY:
In events of heavy rain, the practice field may be closed under the field-owner’s discretion.
If coaching staff receives a lightning notification during practice, players will be dismissed from the vicinity immediately.
Red Stick Lacrosse will follow the LHSAA’s inclement weather policy.
General Policies:
Participants in lacrosse must be aware of the Official Rules. https://www.usalacrosse.com/rules
Players must ensure that their behavior, equipment and uniform conform to all required and allowable standards, as defined by US Lacrosse rules.
Coaches must ensure that they are teaching their players to play by the rules. Coaches should participate in continuing lacrosse-specific education and training that helps them to understand and teach new rules and address safety concerns.
Officials must ensure fair and safe play by consistently enforcing the rules. Officials must take part in continuing lacrosse-specific education that helps them understand and interpret new rules.
Spectators must contribute to a safe-play environment by demonstrating positive and sportsmanlike conduct. Those watching lacrosse must understand and appreciate the unique rules and culture of the game.
Players are not to be left unattended prior to or after any practice or game. If a parent or guardian is late, they are required to contact the Coaching staff to relay this information. Under these circumstances, a Coach or Red Stick Lacrosse Staff member will remain with the player until their guardian has arrived.
USA LACROSSE MEMBERSHIP:
USA Lacrosse Memberships are required to participate in any Red Stick Lacrosse program. All coaches and players must have current USA Lacrosse memberships which are active through one calendar year from membership sign-up. https://www.usalacrosse.com/
Coaches and Board Members will undergo a background screening and Athlete Abuse training through mandatory USA Lacrosse memberships.
Players, Coaches and Officials who are currently registered members of USA Lacrosse, and who are in good standing, are covered by the USA Lacrosse Insurance Program for the term of their membership.
CONCERNS REGARDING POST-GAME OPERATION:
Concerns regarding coaching decisions may not be addressed with a team's Coaches until 24 hours have passed since the end of the scheduled game in question. A constructive approach in expressing these concerns may be made to the Coach and/or the Director after 24 hours.
EQUIPMENT, INJURIES, AND SAFETY:
Equipment:
Lacrosse players must have appropriate equipment including helmet*, chest pads* (shoulder), arm pads, gloves, lacrosse stick, cleats, athletic cup & mouth guard. Players who are not properly equipped may not participate in any physical capacity.
RSL commits to offering used equipment for use by new players during Summer and Fall Ball. All borrowed equipment must be returned to RSL by Thanksgiving of each year.
RSL will provide helmets for every player to use throughout their time with RSL. Helmets must be returned if a player is not registered for the upcoming season.
RSL will provide a game jersey for the Spring/Regular Season. Jerseys must be returned at the end of the season.
All equipment not returned by prescribed deadlines will result in a charge equivalent to the replacement value of the equipment not returned.
*Effective January 1, 2022, shoulder pads for boys’ field players must be designed for lacrosse and meet NOCSAE standard ND200. All helmets must be meet NOCSAE standards. For more information please visit: USA Lacrosse Chest Protection
Injuries:
Parents, players, and coaches should familiarize themselves with the signs and symptoms of a concussion. Red Stick Lacrosse refers to the CDC’s “Heads Up” Program regarding concussion safety, https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/index.html. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that interferes with normal brain function. An athlete does not have to lose consciousness to have suffered a concussion.
No athlete may return to game play or practice on the same day of a concussion.
Any athlete suspected of having a concussion should be evaluated by an appropriate health care professional that day.
Any athlete with a concussion must be medically cleared by an appropriate health care professional prior to resuming participation in any practice or competition.
After medical clearance, the decision for a player to return to play is under the discretion of the Head Coach - which should follow the CDC’s “Heads Up” protocol**.
https://www.usalacrosse.com/sites/default/files/documents/Safety/cdc-headsup-athletes-parents.pdf
At every program, practice and game, one or more adults will be designated as in-charge of management of an emergency.
An adult with basic first aid training should be on site.
A basic first aid kit with materials to clean, cover, or immobilize an injured body part will be on site.
Red Stick Lacrosse will provide and maintain a portable AED. AED will be on site for all practices, games, and tournaments.
Every coach at every program, practice and game will have a current roster with emergency contact numbers.
Every coach at every clinic, practice and game will have a fully charged cell phone on their person.
Gates to the playing location are to remain open and accessible during play time.
Person in charge must control the scene and initiate the EAP.