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We are excited for the upcoming Football Season. 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. 

• The 2024 Football season will begin Thursday, August 1, 2024, at Dayton Intermediate School.
• The first two weeks are strictly for conditioning. Monday - Friday 5:00 PM -8:00 PM (hours can vary). Every player is required to have 10 hours in before they can put their pads on and have any physical contact.  
• Football Equipment (helmet & pads) will be given out at fittings (TBD). The Jersey and Game pants handout will be before we attend the preseason games. Must be paid in full by the time of the fittings.
• Throughout the season your coach will keep you up to date on all activities going on.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Micheal Hayes at dpwvprezfootballdirector@outlook.com.  We are so excited for our upcoming 2024 season. Let's GO DUST DEVILS!! 

SAFETY & TRAINING

The Statistics

Did you know that Pop Warner football exhibits a superior safety record compared to soccer? According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), Pop Warner football demonstrates a 12% reduction in injuries per capita among 5–15-year-olds compared to organized soccer within the same age group.

Furthermore, Pop Warner Football boasts an admirable absence of catastrophic head and neck injuries and disruptive joint injuries, attributes not uncommon at higher competitive levels. The injury rate in Pop Warner Football is markedly lower, standing at less than one-third of the injury rate observed in high school football, less than one-fifth of the injury rate in college football, and less than one-ninth of the injury rate in professional football.

Injury Prevention & Control

2012 Rule Adjustments on the Practice and Concussion Prevention: In its ongoing commitment to ensuring the utmost safety for young athletes, and in response to advancing concussion research, Pop Warner introduced significant rule changes for the 2012 season. These modifications, detailed in the Official Pop Warner Rule Book, mark Pop Warner as the inaugural youth football organization to officially regulate contact levels during practices. The adjustments were formulated based on the guidance provided by our esteemed Medical Advisory Board, as well as the direct input from Pop Warner regional, and local administrators, and coaches.

Certification in Red Cross CPR and First Aid: Pop Warner mandates compliance with the requirement that "All practices must be supervised by an individual holding a Red Cross Community CPR and First Aid certification OR National Center for Sports Safety PREPARE Certificate of Completion, or its equivalent, in the absence of an EMT or volunteer physician."

Concussion Awareness: Defined as a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a concussion results from a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, altering the normal functioning of the brain. Falls or blows to the body causing rapid back-and-forth movement of the head and brain can also lead to concussions. Healthcare professionals often classify concussions as "mild" brain injuries, as they are typically not life-threatening; nevertheless, their consequences can be substantial.

mandatory play

Every child plays

The following shall be the Minimum Mandatory Play Rule (MPR) for all Pop Warner teams:

• 16-25 Players (10 Plays)
• 26-30 Players (8 Plays)
• 31-35 Players (6 Plays).

Each league may set a higher number of Mandatory Plays, but never less than the minimum set by PWLS.  All MPRs should be based on eligible players at the time of the game.

1. The plays must be from the line of scrimmage.
2. Kickoffs, extra points, QB intentionally spiking the ball and free kicks shall not be used in fulfilling the MPR requirement.
3. A play shall not count toward fulfillment of the MPR if the play results in a penalty that causes the down to be replayed.
4. All players shall be provided their mandatory plays by participating in “active” plays, without the intent to minimize the action or integrity of the plays. Plays such as, but not limited to, having the center snap the ball to the quarterback, and then the quarterback falls to the ground, while substitutes are playing the other positions, shall NOT be considered as active plays.
5. All players shall receive their mandatory plays by the end of the third quarter, or they shall enter the game at the start of the fourth quarter and remain in the game until they have received their required number of plays.
6. Failure to adhere to MRP requirements will result in forfeiture of the game in addition to enforcement policies.

team-oriented focus