Club Field Hockey FAQs

Q: Who can play  U12 or U14 Fall 2013 Club Field Hockey?

A: Any girl who was under 14 years of age on January 1, 2013 is eligible to tryout and play Fall 2013 club field hockey. Koa’s club teams are intended for girls who want to learn to play field hockey at the highest level (at this age the focus is more on want than ability). Click here for the tryout info.

Q: Where and when will the next tryouts be held?

A: Club Field Hockey tryouts for the Fall 2013 season are Saturday, June 15 at Whitman HS (make-up Wednesday, June 19 at Carderock ES).  On-line registration is required – no walk-ons will be accepted. All current players and players new to the program must attend tryouts.  Click here for tryout info! If you have an interest, please tryout.

Q: Do I need to register for tryouts?

A: Yes, you must register online at the Koa website (www.KoaSports.org) — sorry no walk-ons allowed. There is a $5 registration fee. Our insurance company requires online waivers for all participants. The company that handles this, charges an admin fee and the $5 is at cost for Koa.

Q: What if it rains on tryout day?

A: If it rains on tryout day, there will be a scheduled make-up to attend on Wednesday, June 19^th.

Q: Do the girls have to be in Koa to tryout?

A: Of course not! We encourage all girls who are serious about field hockey to come try out for the Koa club team!  Field players and goalies are all welcome and encouraged to tryout.

Q: What do the girls need for the tryouts?

A: The girls will need to bring their outdoor sticks and wear a mouthguard and shinguards! Goalies should bring their own gear if they have it, but we have some available if you need to borrow.  Don’t forget to bring plenty of water.

Q: What happens if a player shows a lot of potential but is not quite ready for a Koa Club Field Hockey team?

A: Koa’s rec Field Hockey League and weekday skills clinics are great opportunities for girls to work on improving their game in preparation for club play.  Rec league teams play within a more instructional environment and are coached by Koa’s experienced field hockey staff.

Q: Who will coach the club field hockey teams?

A:  The club field hockey coaches will be our awesome Koa staff of many former collegiate field hockey players! (Check out their bios here!!) Parents will not be coaching for these teams (although each team will provide a PM – Parent Manager). Each of our coaches has a strong field hockey background. There is also a Koa field hockey coach manager who will oversee the club program.

Q: Will the coaching be the same for all club field hockey teams?

A: Yes, teams will have a “Head Coach” and will also be exposed to working with all the Koa field hockey coaches. We expect to have a coach ratio of 1.5 for practices and games. This means that we may have 2 coaches 1 week, and 1 on another. On average, we strive for 1.5. We strongly believe that exposure to different coaches only benefits player development. Every parent should read our Koa White Paper on the benefits of professional non-parent coaching.

Q: What are the qualifications of the Koa coaches?

A: At Koa Sports, we believe kids can get the best training from experienced coaches and instructors. All the coaches are required to go through extensive background screening. Furthermore, they are trained to follow the plans of our Advisory Board, made up of collegiate athletes and professional players. All teams have interaction with our collegiate players. Full bios for many of our coaches can be found on our staff page. Many of our coaches are collegiate athletes, but all have extensive sports knowledge.

Q: How long is the season?

A: The Fall 2013 season will run from approximately August 28^th through the 2^nd weekend of November, depending on tournament schedules TBA.

Q: How is playing time determined on club field hockey teams?

A: On the club field hockey teams, tournament games will be played 100% to win, and there will not be any focus on equitable rotation, either offensively or defensively. If there is a play day scheduled, there will be more equitable rotation. Of course, during practices there will be equal time spent on all players, irrespective of whether that player is a “starter.”

Q: How do you determine a club player’s field position?

A: For our club teams, our coaches evaluate player skills and place each athlete in a position that will most benefit the team. Depending on the individual player’s skills and the needs of the team, girls may play more than one position in a season. Players may let coaches know of their interest in a particular field position, but we cannot guarantee any game play in that position.

Q: Can parents question playing time and field position assignments for club players?

A: No – not ever, never! In the club environment, coaches are making decisions based on team needs. Playing time may not be evenly distributed. Tournament games are played to win. Player position assignments are assigned by the Koa coaches to achieve the best results for the team. All players will receive equitable training and attention in practices. Read our Koa White Paper on The Importance of Non-Parent Coaches.

Q: Will there be practices for the club teams?

A: Yes, teams will practice approximately 2-3 hours per week.  Depending on field assignments and weather conditions, practices may be 1.5 or 2 hours each and there may be 1 or 2 practices in a given week.  Practice schedules for the fall season will be announced once we get our field announcements.

 Q: What are the practice expectations for the club teams?

A: As a member of a Koa club field hockey team, all field hockey players are expected to regularly attend practices (and games/tournaments). All players and parents will be required to sign the Koa Parent/Player Contract. Of course we understand that occasional conflicts may arise, but players must do their best to make it to every possible practice and tournament or play day.

Q: Do practice times ever change during a season?

A: Yes, as daylight conditions change during the season we may need to adjust practice times. In the fall this means earlier start times later in the season and for the spring it means later start times after daylight savings time begins.  We may also make adjustment based on weather related field conditions.  We want all teams to get in as much time on the field as they can during the season so we take advantage of the longer days whenever possible.

 Q: Where will tournaments/play days be held?

A: The fall tournament schedule is TBD. Remember, this is a club travel team so be prepared for a little more driving time (but we promise, not too much travel). Fall 2012 tournaments were held in Carroll  and Howard counties.

Q: On what day will the tournaments/play days be played?

A: Field hockey tournaments typically are held over a Saturday and Sunday with games on both days.  We will also schedule play days with other area club teams on Saturdays or Sundays.  Once the fall schedule is in place, all the information is posted on your team’s Team Snap site.

 Q: What is the cost to play on a club field hockey team for the Fall 2013 season?

A: $795, which includes the cost of the uniform ($XX). The fee covers coaching, fields, insurance, tournament fees, back office administrative work, etc. Uniforms are sold at the actual cost to Koa, there is no mark up. Teams will receive a reversible club field hockey pinnie, kilt, and 2 pairs of long socks.

Q: What if I have to withdraw from the team?

A: There will be no team/league refunds given to any individual player who withdraws after the published registration deadline. If an additional replacement player can be found to take the spot of a withdrawing player, we will be able to refund league fees minus a 20% administrative fee. The administrative fee covers among other things, time spent (1) contacting new payers, (2) adjusting rosters, (3) notifying host league, and (4) hosting a new tryout. If we cannot find a replacement player, you will receive credit for a future program.

Q. Is there any special equipment needed for club field hockey?

A. We require players to wear mouthguards and shinguards.  All fall club players will need an outdoor stick.  Some players may choose to wear optional protective eyewear, however any eyewear must be USA Field Hockey approved.  Players may NOT wear lacrosse goggles.  Please note, tournament directors are very strict about the use of approved eyewear.