REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Final dates and times for the remainder of the season:
The upcoming seasons will be more consistent with practices 9-11AM on Saturdays and Sundays, but due to campus events, the rest of the season is less consistent. We apologize if this causes any inconvenience!
Sat, 5/2 – Elite 9-11am
Sun, 5/3 – 4-6pm
Sat, 5/9 – Elite 9-11am
Sun, 5/10 – 9-11am
Sat, 5/16 – Elite 9-11am
Sun, 5/17 – 10-Noon
Saturday-Monday, 5/23-5/25, Cal Cup Weekend!
Riptide Elite is a competitive field hockey program designed for serious 7th-11th grade players who are ready to take their game to the next level. Built on a foundation of proven success and led by coaches with extensive Division I playing experience and deep college connections, Riptide Elite provides elite-level training, college recruiting support, and competitive tournament opportunities that prepare players for collegiate field hockey.
Our Foundation & Philosophy
Pre-pandemic, our travel teams successfully placed players at Harvard, Yale, Cal, Penn, MIT, Wellesley, Tufts, and Johns Hopkins and more. A testament to our commitment to both athletic and academic excellence, and now we’re bringing that same level of success back with an even stronger vision.
Riptide Elite is more than winning tournaments and earning college commitments. We’re dedicated to developing resilient, confident, and compassionate young women who excel in the classroom, on the field, and in life. Our positive coaching philosophy, combined with intensive technical training, competitive tournament play, and personalized recruiting support, creates an environment where ambitious players transform into elite athletes and leaders.
We believe in developing the whole person: athletes who are skilled, confident, resilient, and compassionate. Our coaching philosophy centers on positivity, growth mindset, and creating an environment where players push themselves and each other to be their best.
Our Coaching Staff (click for more details)
Coach Sue
UMass, Amherst alum and current Head Coach at Harvard-Westlake Field Hockey. Coach Sue is building a dynasty program at Harvard-Westlake and brings championship-level expertise, tactical knowledge, and a proven track record of player development. Sue has an extensive network of connections across all college programs.
Taylor Swezey Hornbeck
Former USA Olympic development team player and University of Virginia alum with extensive connections throughout the college field hockey landscape. With successful placements at top academic and athletic programs nationwide, Taylor provides unparalleled recruiting guidance and mentorship.
Assistant Coaches: Giles, Kragen, Lily, Liza & Julia
Former college players who bring elite-level knowledge, technical expertise, and competitive intensity to every practice. Our assistant coaches understand what it takes to succeed at the highest levels and are committed to helping players reach their potential.
What We Offer
Elite Weekend Training
Location: Harvard-Westlake’s Ted Slavin Field
Schedule: Saturdays 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Sundays 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
High-intensity, game-realistic training sessions designed to complement school team commitments. These supplemental practices work around the Harvard-Westlake school schedule and will adjust throughout the year to accommodate school practice times.
Progressive Skill Development
13-week seasonal training blocks with complementary Saturday/Sunday themes that build upon each other. Each session focuses on:
- Advanced stick skills and ball mastery
- Tactical awareness and game intelligence
- Position-specific excellence
- Speed of play and decision-making
- Individual and team defending
- Attacking principles and finishing
- Set pieces and specialty situations
- Mental toughness and leadership
Competitive Tournament Play
Carefully selected regional and national tournaments that maximize development and recruiting exposure:
- Cal Cup – Major regional competition
- Disney Showcase – Premier national tournament with significant college coach attendance
- Additional Events – Strategically chosen tournaments based on competition level and college coach presence
We select tournaments that put our athletes in positions to be seen, compete at the highest levels, and gain experience that translates to college success.
College Recruiting Support
One of the pillars of Riptide Elite is our comprehensive approach to college recruiting:
Direct College Connections:
- Extensive network across Ivy League, NESCAC, Patriot League, and NCAA Division I/II/III programs
- Showcase and ID camp recommendations
Academic & Athletic Balance:
- Support balancing athletic recruitment with academic excellence
- Guidance on being a competitive candidate academically and athletically
- Understanding different division levels and finding the right fit
Whether your daughter dreams of playing Ivy League field hockey, competing in the NESCAC, pursuing academic excellence at a D3 program, or earning a scholarship at a D1 or D2 school, we have the knowledge and connections to help make it happen.
Strength & Conditioning
Field hockey-specific fitness programming integrated into every practice:
- Speed and agility development
- Power and explosiveness training
- Endurance and recovery protocols
- Injury prevention and movement quality
Mental Training & Leadership Development
Building confident, resilient athletes who perform under pressure:
- Competitive mindset training
- Leadership skills and communication
- Performance under pressure
- Goal setting and accountability
- Team culture and sportsmanship
Who Should Join Riptide Elite
Riptide Elite is designed for 7th-12th grade players who:
✓ Have aspirations to play field hockey in college at any level
✓ Are committed to improvement and willing to put in the work
✓ Thrive in a positive but competitive environment
✓ Want expert guidance through the college recruiting process
✓ Are ready to train at an elite level with high expectations
✓ Value being a good teammate and person as much as being a skilled player
Schedule & Commitment
Riptide Elite Practices (Supplemental Training)
- Saturdays: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (with exceptions)
- Sundays: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: Harvard-Westlake
Harvard-Westlake School Practice Schedule (for reference)
- Middle School: Monday, Wednesday, Friday (3:20-5:20 PM)
- 9th Grade: Monday, Wednesday (2:45-3:30 PM)
- 10th & 11th Grade: Tuesday, Thursday (starts in March)
Riptide Elite practices are designed to work around Harvard-Westlake’s school schedule and will continue to adjust as school practice times change throughout the year. These are supplemental practices that complement and enhance what players are learning with their school teams.
Spring Season
- Starts: February 14th
- Duration: 13 weeks
- Focus: Progressive skill development leading to Cal Cup and spring tournaments
Ongoing Program
This is not just a spring season—Riptide Elite is an ongoing program. We will continue throughout the year with supplemental practices, summer training opportunities, and tournament play. We’re building sustained excellence and long-term development.
Spring Season Practice Themes
Our 13-week spring program builds progressively, with each Saturday and Sunday practice complementing each other:
Week 1: Foundation & Assessment
Saturday: Player Assessment – Evaluating Skills, Speed & Field Hockey IQ
Sunday: Building Blocks – Stick Work Fundamentals & First Touch Mastery
Week 2: Ball Mastery & Movement
Saturday: Advanced Stick Skills – 3D Skills, Reverse Stick & Deception
Sunday: Dynamic Movement – Creating Space & Timing Runs
Week 3: Passing & Possession
Saturday: Passing Precision – Weight, Timing & Angles
Sunday: Possession Play – Building Out & Maintaining Control
Week 4: Attacking Principles
Saturday: Penetrating the Circle – Creating Scoring Chances
Sunday: Finishing Clinic – Shooting Technique & Scoring Mentality
Week 5: Defensive Foundations
Saturday: Individual Defending – Jab Tackles, Channeling & Body Position
Sunday: Team Defense – Pressing, Cover, Balance & Communication
Week 6: Tactical Awareness
Saturday: Reading the Game – Scanning, Decision Making & Anticipation
Sunday: Transition Play – Attack to Defense & Defense to Attack
Week 7: Set Pieces & Specialty Situations
Saturday: Penalty Corners – Execution & Defense
Sunday: Restart Mastery – Free Hits, Long Hits & Sideline Situations
Week 8: Position-Specific Mastery
Saturday: Forwards & Midfielders – Attacking Roles & Responsibilities
Sunday: Defenders & Goalkeepers – Defensive Excellence & Distribution
Week 9: Speed of Play & High Pressure
Saturday: Fast-Paced Field Hockey – Quick Decisions Under Pressure
Sunday: Playing vs. High Press – Breaking Lines & Finding Solutions
Week 10: Small-Sided Game Mastery
Saturday: 3v3 & 4v4 – Exploiting Space in Tight Areas
Sunday: 6v6 & 7v7 – Applying Team Tactics in Game Context
Week 11: Mental Game & Leadership
Saturday: Competitive Mindset – Confidence, Resilience & Focus
Sunday: Game Management – Reading Flow, Adjusting & Communicating
Week 12: Tournament Preparation
Saturday: Tournament Tactics – Multiple Games, Energy Management & Strategy
Sunday: Scrimmage Day – Full Field Game Play & Film Review
Week 13: Championship Mentality
Saturday: Elite Performance – Bringing Your Best When It Matters
Sunday: Season Showcase – Compete, Celebrate & Look Ahead
Contact Us
Have questions about whether Riptide Elite is right for your player? Want to discuss the program in more detail?
Email: wcriptide@gmail – email us and we can set up a call if needed!
We’re happy to have individual conversations with families to ensure this is the right fit.
Let’s Build Something Special
We are incredibly excited about what we’re building with Riptide Elite. This program represents the return of proven excellence combined with a fresh, ambitious vision for developing the next generation of college field hockey players.
With our coaching expertise, college connections, positive culture, and commitment to developing exceptional young women on and off the field, Riptide Elite is a program that transforms players and creates opportunities.