Pop Warner football has been around since the inception of the league in 1929 by founder Joseph J. Tomlin as a four-team conference in Northeast Philadelphia.
Since then, participation has steadily increased to today's record numbers. Over 250,000 youths participated in Pop Warner-sanctioned football programs in 2010, and those numbers are continuing to grow.
OVERVIEW:
Pop Warner offers the opportunity for participants from 5 years of age to 14 years of age to play football in our leagues. We have three non-competitive age/weight developmental divisions for those between the ages of 5 and 9. They are Flag, Tiny Mite, and Mitey Mite. In Flag competition no score is kept. Score is kept in the Tiny Mite and Mitey Mite division where there are standings and league champions.
We also offer age based competitive divisions for those between the ages of 6 and 14. Age based divisions 10U to 14U are further broken down into Divisions I and II. League champions are declared in each of these competitive divisions and the champions continue to play and represent their league in the Mid South Regional Playoffs. Mid South Regional Champions represent the region at the National Pop Warner Super Bowl played each December at Camping World Stadium in Orlando Florida.
The season begins on August 1st of each year. Teams generally play 7 to 9 regular season games in the months of August, September, and October. All Pop Warner Coaches are required to complete National and Regional Coaches Training. Competitive level teams with winning records at the end of each regular season are also allowed to participate in Region approved Post Season Bowl Games.
SAFETY FIRST:
Leagues have options with how to structure their program. While leagues can continue the current structure where a player is placed in a division based on his or her age and weight, they may also choose to register players based on age only. Currently, an estimated 75-80% of youth football nationally follows the age-only structure.
Pop Warner places value on safety measures that makes a difference. That’s why we have also done things in football like reduce contact to 25% of practice time, eliminate kickoffs for our youngest divisions and require that any player who suffers a suspected head injury receive medical clearance from a concussion specialist before retuning to play.
Did you know that Pop Warner football is safer than soccer? Pop Warner football has 12% fewer injuries per capita among 5-15 year olds than organized soccer in the same age range! (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, NEISS)
WHY THERE ARE NO PERSONAL STATISTICS:
Pop Warner exists to use football, cheerleading, dance and a respect for education to develop strong, smart, responsible, healthy young men and women. We give them experiences that build their appreciation for and understanding of leadership, teamwork, and discipline.
While individual statistics may be more common, particularly among older football players, Pop Warner only recognizes the athletic accomplishments of the team, not the individual. We don't track personal tallies of touchdowns or yards rushing per game. We don't count sacks or blocked kicks. We applaud the athletic efforts of the team to reinforce the importance of teamwork, with each member.
We don't try to build stars. We don't want to over-inflate a young ego, nor do we want to risk injuring the self-esteem of a young person. Whether our kids have good days or bad, they are still an integral part of our team…and always will be.
In an effort to make sure all participants have a chance to play, Pop Warner has established a Minimum Play Requirement for each level of play. Players are required to play in a set number of active plays prior to the end of the third quarter of each game.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES:
Spring Flag - Pop Warner offers the opportunity for participation in a Spring Flag Season. The season is played during the months of April and May. Additional Spring Flag Rules.
7 on 7 - Pop Warner offers the opportunity for participation in a 7 on 7 Passing League. The season is played from the first of June to the middle of July.