FAQs

Registration for the Spring Season opens in November of the preceding year.

Spring practice begins in early February. Regular season game play begins in March and runs through May.

Costs to play include registration, US Lacrosse membership, uniforms, and gear (available for rent from the Berkeley Lacrosse Club). We offer need-based scholarships to cover the cost of registration. Please don't let finances prevent you from being part of a great team experience!

Pricing for the current season can be found on our registration page.

Registration includes field rentals, referee fees, practice field equipment, coaches, and tournament fees as well.

All players are required to have current US Lacrosse membership in order to participate - $30 per year, paid directly to US Lacrosse during the registration process.

Players are responsible for purchasing their own equipment. HOWEVER, the Berkeley Lacrosse Club is unique in offering our players low-cost rental gear for use during our Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons. A full set of gear for Boys can be rented for only $60 per rental season, a significant discount from the $200+ purchase price with other teams! Girls require a stick and goggles, available for $30 per set for each rental season.

Please refer to our Gear page for more details about what players should bring to practice.

Uniform Fee - $75 for girls, $95 for boys.

Boys must have the official Berkeley Lacrosse uniform shorts and reversible jersey to be eligible to play. The cost is $95 for a reversible jersey, game shorts, and a shooter shirt. Returning players may use their uniforms from last season or purchase a new jersey and/or shorts. Keep in mind that jerseys are worn over pads so your child will likely need one 1-2 sizes larger than their usual size. 

Girls uniforms: including a jersey and skirt - $75. 

You will purchase jerseys and shorts during registration.

If you have questions about refunds, please visit our refund policy. 

Yes, games typically start in March and continue through May. 

For Coaches:​

• Conduct a daily health assessment before each practice.
• If showing signs of illness, stay home, and inform the board immediately.
• Sanitize your hands prior to the start of practice.
• Arrive 10-20 minutes early.
• No eating on the field.
• Do not leave until all players have been picked up. Make sure you have contact info (preferably phone numbers) for all parents of players on your team in case there is an issue.

For Players:​

• Conduct a daily health assessment before each practice.
• If showing signs of illness, stay home, and inform the board immediately.
• Sanitize hands prior to the start of practice.
• Arrive 10-20 minutes early.
• No eating on the field.

For Parents:​

• Conduct a daily health assessment of your player. In case of illness, keep your player home, and inform the coach immediately.
• Please wait 5-10 minutes after drop off in case there is an issue.
• Sanitize your player’s hands before practice.
• Ensure your player has enough water.
• Make sure you are on time for pick up.
• If you need to communicate with a coach, please do so via text, phone call, or email. 

Yes! Fall Ball provides an excellent opportunity for newcomers to try lacrosse without the commitment of a full season. Returning players can develop their skills for a running start in the Spring Season.

Fall Ball is typically held on Sunday afternoons in September and October. See Registration Page.

We understand - it seems strange to register in the Fall for a sport that doesn't start until February. This is driven by our league requirements, we have to submit final team registrations at the beginning of December. Thus, we need to have player registration complete to determine how many teams to register before then. We do try to accommodate late registrations when space is available.

Body checking is allowed for Boys grade 7 and up. Boys grades 6 and down and all Girls are allowed some controlled contact as in other sports such as basketball and soccer. All players are allowed to have stick-on-stick checking with different rules for Boys and Girls. Links to lacrosse rules are listed below. 

Boys Lacrosse Rules
Girls Lacrosse Rules
Men's Lacrosse Rules
Women's Lacrosse Rules

Please visit US Lacrosse for concussion information. 

WHAT IS A CONCUSSION?

A concussion is a brain injury. Concussions are caused by a bump or blow to the head. Even a "ding," "getting your bell rung," or what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious. You can't see a concussion. Signs and symptoms of concussion can show up right after the injury or may not appear or be noticed until days or weeks after the injury. If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms yourself, seek medical attention right away.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION?

Signs Observed by Parents or Guardians

If your child has experienced a bump or blow to the head during a game or practice, look for any of the following signs and symptoms of a concussion:

• Appears dazed or stunned
• Is confused about assignment or position
• Forgets an instruction
• Is unsure of game, score, or opponent
• Moves clumsily
• Answers questions slowly
• Loses consciousness (even briefly)
• Shows behavior or personality changes
• Can't recall events prior to or after hit or fall

Symptoms Reported by Athlete

• Headache or "pressure" in head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Double or blurry vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to noise
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
• Concentration or memory problems
• Confusion
• Does not "feel right"

HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR CHILD PREVENT A CONCUSSION?

• Every sport is different, but there are steps your children can take to protect themselves from concussion.
• Ensure that they follow their coach's rules for safety and the rules of the sport.
• Encourage them to practice good sportsmanship at all times.
• Make sure they wear the right protective equipment for their activity (such as helmets, padding, shin guards, and eye and mouth guards). Protective equipment should fit properly, be well maintained, and be worn consistently and correctly. Learn the signs and symptoms of a concussion.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU THINK YOUR CHILD HAS A CONCUSSION?

• Seek medical attention right away. A healthcare professional will be able to decide how serious the concussion is and when it is safe for your child to return to sports.
• Keep your child out of play. Concussions take time to heal. Don’t let your child return to play until a healthcare professional says it’s OK. Children who return to play too soon–while the brain is still healing–risk a greater chance of having a second concussion. Second or later concussions can be very serious. They can cause permanent damage, affecting your child for a lifetime.
• Tell your child’s coach about any recent concussion. Coaches should know if your child has had a recent concussion in ANY sport. Your child’s coach may not know about a concussion your child received in another sport or activity unless you tell the coach.

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR A SUSPECTED CONCUSSION?

• Any athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall be removed from the activity at that time and for the remainder of the day.
• Any athlete who has been removed may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed healthcare provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and has received a written clearance to return to play from the healthcare provider.
  
  

LET YOUR CHILD’S COACH KNOW RIGHT AWAY IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR CHILD HAS A CONCUSSION!

Adapted from the CDC. For more information, you can go to: http://www.cdc.gov/ConcussionInYouthSports

Practice during the Spring varies from 1-3 days per week depending on the age division. Depending on team assignment, practice times typically run from 4:00-5:30 and 5:30-7:00 pm at Tom Bates Fields. Players are expected to attend all scheduled practices. However, we do understand the scheduling challenges faced by busy families. 

The Club cannot make carpool arrangements for liability purposes, but we do encourage families to work together for transportation arrangements. We have families at most elementary and middle schools in Berkeley, Albany, Kensington, and El Cerrito - a carpool can likely be arranged!

Games during the Spring occur almost every weekend once they begin in March until the second week of May. Tournament play may extend the season by 1 to 2 weeks. Game schedules will be posted as soon as available, but are not expected prior to February 1.

Check your team's page during the season for specific scheduling information.

BLC strongly supports the position of US Lacrosse that players should play with the age group as determined by their birthdate. 

That said, we are sympathetic to the desire of 5th and 7th grade players with fall birthdays who want to play with their classmates. We will determine final team assignments based on roster sizes and skill level once all signups are complete and coaches have the opportunity to evaluate your player. Please contact info@berkeleylacrosse.org to inquire about the possibility of playing up.

Yes, we need volunteers! Berkeley Lacrosse is a volunteer-run 501(c)3 organization. Parents are expected to be involved in whatever way they can. Please consider chipping in to receive and organize gear, be a team parent, help our Board, and arrange other fundraising events. 

Some examples of team-level parent volunteer jobs are: coaching, team parents, game set up and take down, and scorekeeping. We particularly need parents to step up to help with club-level duties including planning fundraisers, gear rental assistance, uniform management, and publicity as well as help at special events.

If you are interested or have any questions, please contact us.

Please contact us with feedback on your website experience or to let us know about any technical troubles you may have. 

For more information on Lacrosse, visit the US Lacrosse's Parents Guide.

If you have questions about the Berkeley Lacrosse Club, please contact us.