In Pop Warner football, what does the minimum mandatory play rule mean?

• In accordance with Pop Warner rules, North Long Beach Football & Cheer will abide by the established minimum mandatory play rules. The number of minimum plays for each player is determined by the number of players eligible for that day’s game. These are mandatory minimum play numbers:
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• 16-25 Players: 10 Plays
• 26-30 Players: 8 Plays
• 31-35 Players: 6 Plays
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• In most cases, players will play more than the minimum number of plays, however, it is the head coach's decision how many plays each players gets aside from their minimum mandatory plays.

What equipment do you provide?

• The following equipment to all the football (tackle) participants, must be returned at the end of the season:
• Helmet and Chin Strap
• Shoulder Pads
• Practice Pants
• Practice Jersey
• Game Jersey (2)
• Game pants
• Belt
• Hip, Tail, Thigh and Knee Pads
• All the above equipment, except for the Game Jersey, is due back to the equipment container at the end of the season during your teams scheduled equipment hand in.  Failure to return equipment on or before the return date will result in you being billed up to $300.00.

What equipment do I have to provide?

• Parents will need to provide:
• Girdle
• Athletic Supporter
• Cleats
• Mouth Guard
• You may purchase optional equipment such as, gloves, braces, chin sleeves, etc... You should discuss your need for such equipment with your coach prior to purchase. (Metal cleats are not allowed and rubber cleats must not exceed ½ inch).

When and where do I get the equipment you provide?

• Football player equipment will be distributed by team during pre-season equipment hand out, usually in July following the parent meeting, at the equipment container located at Houghton Park.  No equipment will be issued until all registration fees are paid.

Where do I get the equipment I have to provide?

• All optional equipment can be purchased at any major sporting goods store.

What if I have a problem with my equipment?

• Most equipment problems can be resolved by making simple adjustments with the right tools. See your coach or the equipment manager for assistance.

What if my helmet hurts my head?

• Your helmet must fit tightly to protect your head, so it’s very common for your helmet to hurt your head for the first couple of weeks. We recommend that you wear your helmet for an hour or so each day just before season starts. If your helmet still causes discomfort after a couple of days, see your coach or the equipment manager for assistance.

How do I take care of my equipment?

• Game Uniform: Remove pads from pants Wash in warm water with like colors. Do not use bleach. Allow to air dry.
• Helmet: Wash inside and out with mild soap and water as needed. Tighten loose screws as needed. Contact the equipment manager if any part of the helmet is damaged or missing. Shoulder Pads: Wash with mild soap and water as needed. Contact the equipment manager if straps or laces are torn or cut.

What if I return my equipment later than the return date?

• Late returns mean extra trips to the equipment container, additional paperwork and hours of extra work for the equipment manager. Late returns on equipment will also cost you $30.00.

What if I lose or damage some or all of my equipment?

• Normal wear and tear on football equipment is expected. However, you will be billed for replacement of lost or abused equipment at the costs below:
• Practice jerseys $20.00 per jersey
• Game pants $20.00
• Helmet $85.00
• Shoulder pads $30.00
• Practice pants $15.00
• 7-piece pad set $10.00
• Prices are subject to change.

What is "mandatory weigh-in"? Is it really "mandatory"?

• Mandatory weigh-in is a criteria that is set for football players who participate in Pop Warner programs by the National Pop Warner Little Scholars Association which governs all Pop Warner football and cheer organizations. The requirement for this weigh-in is stressed during registration. It is readily acknowledged by all returning football players as a pre-requisite for participation.  The weigh-in rule was established to ensure that players are playing in the proper weight/age division for the protection of all players. The weights are certified by the league in game day books every team carries to every game. These books contain league certified documentation on each player that includes the player's picture in his/her game jersey, birth certificate and weigh-in certification. Before each game every player is weighed against the information in these books to ensure that only certified players are being dressed to participate in any given game. Again, we are trying to do everything possible for the safety of the players by ensuring that every player is participating at the proper weight/age level. Under these rules no player is allowed to play unless they are weighed and certified by the league. This weigh-in does not take place in the middle of summer but as late in August as possible while still allowing all weights to be certified by the start of the season.

If a child misses the certification, can he or she still play?

• Unfortunately, if your child cannot attend the mandatory weigh-in, he/she will not be able to play the first two games of the season. There are always unavoidable conflicts and thus a second alternative weigh-in is always scheduled into the season. This alternative weekend is not designed to penalize players but has been implemented to allow players a second chance to weigh in while only missing two games in an eight plus game season.

Why do I have to be at the field an hour early for each game?

• This is to allow the coaches ample time for weigh ins, warm ups and game preparation.  If there is any time your child will have to be late (religious school, family commitment), please notify her coaches.

Do we have to be at every practice?

• Absences are the sole discretion of the individual coach.  Since we have a maximum amount of practice time per week, (10 hours per week before Labor Day and 6 hrs per after Labor Day) most teams will only practice 3 days a week.  Talk to your coach about pre-arranged absences.
• Ten hours of conditioning (practice without pads) are required before full gear is worn. (Helmets required at every practice) and ten hours of practice in full pads before contact can begin. No exceptions.

What happens when the minimum plays recorded is not met?

• When a player does not have all their minimum plays by the end of the third quarter, they are to start the fourth quarter and play until they have reached their minimum plays. This requirement is the responsibility of the "Head Coach". If at the end of the game, a player does not have their minimum plays recorded, the following will happen at a minimum (subject to Sportsmanship Committee Review):
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• The player will have double the amount of minimum plays for the next game (i.e. normally 14, the next game would be 28).
• The "Head Coach" is placed on probation for the rest of the season
• If the "Head Coach" violates this a second time it will result in a one game suspension
• If the "Head Coach" violates this a third time it will result in a one year (calendar year) suspension.

My son is new to football. What should we expect?

• Many boys and girls who sign up have no prior experience. The coaches take this into consideration during the conditioning and initial instruction period in August. This is why it's so very important for your child to attend every practice. The physical conditioning is more intense than other sports. To help prevent injuries, all players must begin conditioning several weeks prior to the beginning of practice in August. Prior to August, 45 minutes of running, push-ups, and sit-ups at least every other day will help make your son's first few weeks in football less demanding.

Are there try-outs?

• Pop Warner accepts all applicants (baring any medical reason they cannot play).

My Son/Daughter Isn't A Great Athlete... Will They Get To Play?

• Along with prohibiting tryouts, Pop Warner also has a "Mandatory Play Rule", which stipulates that each team member must play every game. In fact, games may be stopped at the beginning of the fourth quarter to insert any players.

Cheer

When does the season begin and end?

• The Pop Warner season is defined as August 1st though December 31st or the last game/competition, whichever comes first.

Mascot or Participant?

• A mascot must be at least five years of age. The youngest age for a participant is five years of age in Flag Football division. A participant can only be certified as a mascot if they are not old enough to be certified as a spirit participant for any division of play in the League and/or Association, with the League’s permission (i.e., if the League does not have a flag division, then the participant (at age 5) may only be rostered as a mascot in the lowest age division).

What age division squad can a mascot participate?

• A mascot can only be certified on the lowest age division in the Association due to maturity and safety issues. A squad cannot be made up of a majority of mascots (i.e., no more than 50%).

Why is it required that parents attend registration in person?

• Practice hours before Labor Day: No squads shall schedule more than 10 (ten) hours of practice per week. A week is defined as seven consecutive days. Not more than 2 ½ hours of practice may be scheduled on any one day. It is not mandatory for a squad to practice the full 10 hours per week.
  Practice after Labor Day: Limited to 6 hours per week. . A week is defined as seven consecutive days. Not more than 2 hours of practice may be scheduled on any one day. It is not mandatory for a squad to practice the full 6 (six) hours per week..

Can our squad attend a local competition during the season?

• Yes, a Pop Warner squad can participate in an outside competition with prior written approval on an Event Request Form from the Conference, Region and National Cheer Coordinators. The Head Coach must include the following:
  -The competition must follow all Pop Warner safety rules
  -The competition occurs during the accepted season
  -Permission in writing is granted in advance by the League, Region and National Coordinators.
  -The squad must register and identify themselves as a Pop Warner squad in the order of performance.
  -Competition is counted against practice hours for the week.
   
• Note: A squad must participate in the Pop Warner League, Region and National Spirit Championships in order to be approved for a non-Pop Warner event or competition. Any events after January 1, the squad must participate in the Pop Warner Year Round Program.

Can our squad participate in a local competition after the Pop Warner Season?

• A squad can participate in local competitions from December 31st to July 31st as long as the squad is registered and rostered with the National Office as a Year Round Squad by the deadline, February 1st. Once registered, all of the rules above on entering a competition must be followed.

Dual Participation?

• Situation: A roster participant on a Pop Warner Dance Squad was participating on her High School Football Cheerleading squad at the same time. The parents did not understand that Cheer and Dance are both considered under the term “Spirit Squad” in Pop Warner. The dance squad is scheduled to compete at our League Championships. What should we do?
   
• Response: This situation is considered Dual Participation, participating on two spirit (cheer and/or dance) squads in the same season. The Pop Warner Dance Team member should be removed from the squad prior to the League Championship so that the squad can compete through to the Championships. The participant should continue with the High School Cheer Program, it is an honor to see that our kids are being promoted to the next level, high school.

New Uniform Rules

• When standing at attention, cheer and dance apparel must cover the midriff. (The midriff is the middle section of the body, from front to back.) Also, note that nude bodysuits are not acceptable; the intent of the rule must be obvious to everyone.

Eyeglass Bands

• Participants should secure eyeglasses with a sport band. The sport band should not have beads or a knot.

What is my responsibility for Dance Routines on the field? Suggestive Moves, Suggestive Words

• Music Selection should appeal to the audience to get the crowd involved in the performance. Routines must be appropriate for family viewing and listening. Any vulgar or suggestive movements, words or music should not be a part of a Pop Warner youth routine. Please note that removing improper language and replacing it with sound effects still constitutes inappropriate.

How should I address my concerns?

• You should first address your concerns by contacting the Head Cheer and/or Football Coach of the squad directly. If you are not able to express your concerns then the league can step in to assist. If you have any questions concerning matters that cannot be addressed by first contacting your squad you may contact the Cheer Coordinator at: coachmeia@nlbfac.com

Can I change my squad size from Large to Small after October 1st?

• No, squad size status is based on your roster count as of the first Monday in October. Please note that the number of actual cheerleaders determines “Large Squad” versus “Small Squad”. Since mascots cannot participate in competitions, they do not count on the squad numbers (even though listed on the roster for registration and insurance purposes.)

Advancing Squads to Nationals

• Question: Does a squad that is automatically advancing to Nationals have to meet a minimum score?
   
• Answer: No, however, the squad must perform and be scored at each level (League & Region) in place of automatic advancement to the next level. This is to insure that the squad does not receive unnecessary safety deductions at the National Level.
   
• Note: This rule will change in the 2008 season, more details to follow at the Coaches Clinics.

What are the National Championship dates?

• The National Championship is held this December at Disney’s ™ Wide World of Sports Milk House. (For more information, go to the Pop Warner National Website, www.popwarner.com)

How many awards are distributed at the National Championship?

• The National Championship will award five places, first through fifth, in each division, small and large. In addition, first through third places will receive Championship Medallions, Gold, Silver and Bronze. A Spirit of Sport Award will be awarded to one squad in each division, Junior Peewee, Peewee, and Junior Midget at the close of
  each competition day. All squads nominated for the Spirit of Sport Award will receive a Championship Rosette for their spirited efforts. If your squad is announced for an award, please send one coach and two cheerleaders/dancers to the awards’ area. A championship picture will be taken in the awards area with the National Staff, Region Management Team and any League/Association Officials on hand.