FAQs Football
San Diego Bolts Football 2024 FAQs
General Questions
When does the season start?
Last full week of July, Monday
July 22nd, 2024
How long does the season last?
3-6 months
Regular season July-October
Post Season, Playoff/Regional/National October-December
What are the practice days/times?
Practice starts off 4-5 days a week conditioning
Typically practices are between the hours of 6-8pm, times and day changes may vary depending on team needs (head coach or team admin. staff)
First 2 weeks are conditioning weeks
Head coaches will provide team specific practice days from week 3 on
Expect 3-4 days a week practices
Practices are mandatory- missed practices can result in dismissal or sitting out due to safety concerns
After Labor Day weekend 3 days a week
Traditionally Tue., Wed., & Thur.
What team would my player be on if he/she is ## age?
Age Range Weight Age Protection Limit
7u N/A Cannot turn 8 BEFORE 8/1
8u Unlimited Cannot turn 9 BEFORE 8/1
9u Unlimited Cannot turn 10 BEFORE 8/1
10u Unlimited Cannot turn 11 BEFORE 8/1
11u Unlimited Cannot turn 12 BEFORE 8/1
12u Unlimited Cannot turn 13 BEFORE 8/1
13u Unlimited Cannot turn 14 BEFORE 8/1
Can my player play up or down in a different division?
Depends
No, a player can not play DOWN.
They must pay within their age or 1 age group higher
Yes, a player can play UP.
Only by 1 division
How many plays is my player required to have per game?
Depends on the number of players on the roster (in-conference game)
8u and above
31-36 players, 4 plays
26-30 players, 6 plays
16-25 players, 8 plays
Flag/7u
17+ players, 4 plays
16 & under players, 8 plays
How/where do I go to volunteer to help the association or a team?
Please contact the person in charge of the position (a part of a team staff:assistant coach, team manager) you are interested in.
Email the association noting your interest (board and Head Coaching positions)
Complete the online application with SDYFC
Pass a background check through the SDYFC website
Complete the SD Bolts online Volunteer form
Complete all requirements for the specified volunteer position within the allotted time
Where do I obtain preseason workout information?
Contact the current Head Coach
Contact the SD Bolts via email
If my participant has a learning disability, custody issues, so on, who do I provide this information to?
Please discuss any issues that may interfere with the participant’s ability to fully participate with the Eligibility team or Eligibility Director at the time of document collection
Provide a copy of any documentation relevant or requested
Always inform the Head Coach and Team Manager
When are the football games and where are they located?
AYF games are held on Saturdays
Additional games that are team specific with different game days may be added to the team (pre-season, season, post season) schedule. These games and all related information will be provided by the team coaching staff and/or the Team Manager
AYF games can be local, and may require minimal travel during the season. Postseason will require travel possibly to other states (regional games and national)
Additional games that are team specific (pre-season, season, post season) schedule may require travel. All related information will be provided by the team coaching staff and/or the Team Manager
How early is a player required to be at the games?
All participants are REQUIRED to be at the game WITH their coaches and team at least 2 hours prior to the start
A player can be penalized for arriving late
If check-in is missed the player is required to sit until they can be checked in at halftime or the player may have to sit out the game. They player may be required to be with his team on the sideline.
Registration Questions
How do I register for the SD Bolts?
We have a completely online registration portal
Please see our website for registration
What is included within the registration fee?
Participation in the following
Practices for games
8 regular season games (in and out of San Diego County/ game counts are provided by county -SDYFC)
Playoff & post regular season AYF game potential
Registration includes
Association fees
Permit fees
Insurance fees
Some uniform pieces
What documents are required for registration?
All documents are required to be submitted by the given association deadline
New Player
Completed full contract
2 proofs of residency (2 copies needed) in the registering adult’s name
Must be a utility bill
Rental contract or mortgage document
Passport size head shot of the participant (2 are required)
Nothing covering the face
Head to shoulders
Current Physical
Original required with wet signature doctor, doctor office wet stamp
Must be completely filled out
Must be currently dated as to cover the current football/cheer season
Completed Code of Conduct
Liability and Image waivers
Birth Certificate (2 copies)
Current year End of the School Year Report Card (2 copies)
Returning Player
Must be from the current association and most current year prior only
Completed full contract
Passport size head shot of the participant (2 are required)
Nothing covering the face
Head to shoulders
Current Physical
Original required with wet signature doctor, doctor office wet stamp
Must be completely filled out
Must be currently dated as to cover the current football/cheer season
Completed Code of Conduct
Liability and Image waivers
Current year End of the School Year Report Card (2 copies)
Uniform Questions
Uniform Pack (included with registration)
Tackle ONLY
2 Jerseys (personalized name)
2 Uniform pants (pads not included)
Football gear bag (personalized name and number-NEW player ONLY)
Unless selected at the time of registration for RETURNING PLAYERS
Flag ONlY
1 Flag Uniform (top & bottom)
Flag soft helmet
Are there any additional required uniform items needed?
Yes
Tackle Football ONLY
Required
Helmet with chin strap & mouth piece (flat not 3D pieces)
Must have the current conditioning sticker on the helmet
Shoulder pads (that fit)
Football/soccer cleats (NO baseball or track?No SPIKES)
Compression shorts
Extra mouth pieces (cannot be chewed for games)
7 pad girdle (2 thigh, 2 knee, 2 hip, & tail pad)
Optional
Visor (clear ONLY)
Back plate (must be covered by jersey)
Helmet (protective) cap
Additional gear accessories (contact the head coach or team manager)
Flag Football ONLY
Required
Mouth piece (flat not 3D pieces)
Football/soccer cleats (NO baseball or track?No SPIKES)
Optional
Compression gear (without padding)
Additional gear accessories (contact the head coach or team manager)
Can we rent the additional required gear?
Yes, parent/guardian MUST checkout the gear
The SD Bolts currently offer a helmet & pad rental program for the items below only.
Helmet (chin strap & month piece NOT included) & Shoulder Pad
Helmet only (chin strap & month piece NOT included)
Shoulder Pad only
There is a rental fee
Please see the registration portal for current fees
Fee/option is added at the time of online registration
Are there additional optional uniform needs?
Yes
Team specific additional uniforms may be needed. Please refer to the specific team staff for further details
Registration Payment Plan Questions
Do you offer a payment plan for registration and uniform?
Yes
Please see the registration portal for the current registration and uniform fee
Please see the registration portal for the current payment plan breakdown
The EARLIER you registre the more payment plan options there are
Payment plans are only via electronic auto pay (card on file at the time or registration)
How is the payment plan structured?
All payments are deducted automatically on the same time every month until the payment plan is fulfilled
What if I miss a payment?
Payment will be attempted 2 more times within the next 2 weeks
After the final attempt you will be removed from the payment plan FULL payment will need to be made (including any fees)
Fees may incur
Contact the SD Bolts Treasurer for additional information (treasurer@sdunitedaa.org)
Account update needs
Boundary/Waiver Questions
What are the SD Bolts boundaries?
If you are unsure if you live within the SD Bolts boundary lines please contact us via email info@sdunitedaa.org.
Provide your current address
What if I live OUTSIDE of the SD Bolts boundaries?
If you currently live OUTSIDE of the SD Bolts boundary lines please contact us via email info@sdunitedaa.org.
Provide your current address
A waiver can be requested
A very limited number of waivers can be requested per team
Fundraiser Questions
Are fundraisers mandatory?
The only mandatory fundraiser is the association fundraiser indicated within the registration portal
Participation total $100 worth of raffle tickets
Tickets will be provided at the beginning of the season with a deadline to turn in ticket funds
All tickets MUST be bought out
You may opt to buyout at the time of registration within the portal
Currently you can opt out by selecting the ticket buyout option within the registration portal
Opt out via the portal prior to the start of the season is currency $75
You may opt to buyout during the fundraiser time
Opt out via the portal prior to the start of the season $75
Opt out during the season with returned full books of tickets $75
Opt out during the season WITHOUT returning the full books of tickets $100
All fundraisers are highly recommended and put together to keep costs low as possible for parents
Any team additions are expected to be covered for all those participating
Fundraiser funds are NOT the parent or FAMILY’s funds. Once turned in, fundraiser funds will be used toward team/participant/s needs established by the head coach and cheer admin staff
Where does the association mandatory fundraiser money go?
Fundraiser money is used for the association expenses, but not limited to:
Organization future planning for the betterment of the program and participants
Any unforeseen operation expenses
Offset expenses that were not charged within registration
Where does team fundraiser money go?
Fundraiser money is used for the in-season and postseason expenses, but not limited to:
Team specific needs, gear, tournament, travel fees
End of the season gathering
End of the season trophies/appreciation items
Who tracks and keeps the team/participant fundraiser funds?
Funds are required to be given to team business manager/s directly via the team specific CashApp/Venmo ONLY
CashApp Account
Please contact your team manager
Venmo Account
Please contact your team manager
Cash is the VERY LAST resort when turning in funds.
If cash is given it is your responsibility to request a receipt at the time of the cash exchange. We cannot request a receipt once the transaction/exchange has been completed
All funds sent via the team electronic payment methods or cash are funneled into an SD Bolts bank account, specifically for team use. It is NOT housed in any staff members’ direct account (even if a name is listed on the Venmo/CashApp).
SDUAA/SD Bolts, or team staff will not be held liable if any individual funds are given to any individual (staff or not) that is NOT directly indicated for the team manager/s
SDUAA/SD Bolts, or team staff will not be held liable if any funds are given that did not follow the above procedure
Funds are tracked and viewable to the coaching staff (head coach), team manager/s, and current board members (Treasurer)
Parents can request information on fundraising efforts via a written request to the team manager & SD Bolts Treasurer
What are the projected fundraisers?
Only those that participate will benefit from ANY team or individual specific fundraisers
Fundraisers directly benefit your participant or are split amongst the team in a team pot
You will be notified if it is a team, individual, or association driven fundraiser
Some fundraisers are player driven and/parent led fundraisers
Fundraisers may include but not limited to:
Association Mandatory fundraiser
Dinner Nights
Dine In fundraisers
Can I get a sponsor for my participant/team/cheer program?
Yes, Please contact the team manager or SD Bolts Treasurer for more information
Can we buy-out of fundraisers?
Please refer to the team manager
What if we don’t fundraise at all?
Your player will miss out on things the rest of the team will have or participate in that your registration fees do NOT cover
The team or staff is not obligated to back track if you initially do not purchase or fundraise for items or events during the specified timeframe given
What if my player is in the negative at the end of the season or mid-season?
Your player’s contract can be pulled (meaning they will not be able to participate until all owed funds are cleared)
Your player may lose the opportunity to participate in things such as but not limited to- end of the season gathering, team activities, items that may be provided
Complete removal from the team, association, and/or the ability to participate at other associations (registration and uniform funds not cleared prior to or during the current season)
Coaching/Staff/Team Questions
Who will be coaching for the 2024 season and beyond?
Head coaches and coaching staff will be selected by the SD Bolts Coaches Director & committee
Email info@sdunitedaa.org for the head coaching interests
Head Coaches then select their coaching staff
Inquire directly with the head coach
Email info@sdunitedaa.org for the head coach information
There are NO guaranteed coaching positions from year to year. Coaches can/may not be asked back for the following season
Coaching staff can include one head coach, up to 5 assistant coaches, trainers/demos, and team business manager/s.
Staff can be male or female
Staffing will be assessed by the head coach and team manager per the needs of the team
Head coaches are the leader of their players and team staff
What is the chain of command for the Bolts football program or how to address issues and feedback?
SDUAA- President (only if issues are escalated)
SD Bolts- President (only if issues are escalated)
SD Bolts Vice President (only if issues are escalated)
Coach's Director
Assistant Coach's Director (if applicable)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Team Business Manager/s
Are all staff members background checked?
All staffed adults have to complete the following
SDYFC application and background check
CPR class
Complete all required coaching certifications (coaches)
What are the expectations of Admin Staff, Coaches, Team Business Manager, Parents, Participants, & so on?
Adhere to the codes of conduct (parent, participant, and staff)
Be respectful of each other
Participate in team needs/ meetings/activities
Positive attitudes
Provide a safe and welcoming environment
Follow the guidelines and rules laid out by SD Bolts, SDUAA, SDYFC, & AYF/AYC
Miscellaneous Questions
What may cause dismissal from the cheer program?
The following may cause removal from the cheer program… not limited to
Unsafe conditions/situations (participant/parent)
Constant aggressive behavior (participant/parent)
Behavioral issues from the participate that cannot be resolved
Constant disruption to the cheer program and goals (participant/parent)
Not abiding by the established rules, regulations, code of conduct, cheer contract, so on
Excessive missed practices and/or games
Outstanding balances
Important Information
If you do not receive information directly from the SD Bolts Board, your Head Coach, or Team Business Manager (under the direction of the head coach) it is NOT VALID
If information is not placed on the writing, in text, messaging, or email it is NOT VALID
Seek information in regards to football general questions SD Bolts Board Members
Team information directly from the Team Business Manager ONLY
This FAQ is a document that is continuously updated every year or so
REMEMBER our staff are ALL unpaid volunteers and we are ALL HUMAN, mistakes can happen
Please keep a positive upbeat spirit