FAQ
Where can I find the official Pop Warner Football Rulebook?
You can visit the national Pop Warner website at www.popwarner.com or visit the OEC website at http://24.199.21.46/OECWEB/
How are coaches vetted and what type of training do they have to have to coach?
Every perspective coach fills out an application listing previous experience. A subcommittee of HBPWF board members, along with some Edison HS Football coaches, conduct interviews where coaches are asked to prepare and present practice and game plans. All volunteers are also given a thorough background check.
When does practice start?
PRACTICE STARTS AUGUST 1ST OR THE MONDAY PRECEDING AUGUST 1ST.
Can my family take a vacation in August?
Due to strict conditioning regulations, your player may be behind other players if he/she misses a week. The team may start tackling, and your player may still not be allowed to tackle. It can take many weeks to catch up and make up for taking vacation time during the season, especially for new players. You should talk to your coach prior to making vacation plans after August 1st.
What time is practice?
Coaches set practice days and times, after consultation with the board and based on field space supplied by the city. On Average, practice typically beings at 5:15 or 5:30 PM
Do I have to supply any football equipment?
Yes. For tackle football, your player needs an athletic supporter, practice pants, cleats, mouth guard, undershirt and socks (colors decided by the team). The league supplies, game jerseys, shoulder pads, and helmets. If your practice pants do not come with built in pads, you will also need a football girdle that holds hip, tailbone and thigh pads. Most today have the pads already built into the pants
How much will Pop Warner cost me for my child?
Please See Registration section of the website. Registration fees can vary but will be set at the amount it takes the league to have your son or daughter play for the season.
Do I get a discount for more than one child?
Yes, a $50.00 discount for each additional child.
When is the last day to receive a refund?
June 16 to receive a full refund. The reason we are unable to provide a refund after June 16 is due to the fact that HBPWF begins to expend funds on your child’s behalf for the 2017 season. The date for a partial refund is July 1, 2017
How does my money get used?
The league is assessed fees by the Orange Empire Conference to cover its expenses such as insurance, referees, etc. HB Pop Warner incurs tens of thousands of dollars in equipment replacement/reconditioning, uniforms, practice and game fields, lights for night practices, field equipment, field maintenance, property tax, sanitation, supplies, utilities, etc.
What fundraising will I be exposed to?
Teams decide on their fundraisers depending on team needs. The league will offer opportunities for teams to raise funds. In previous years, teams were able to raise all of the funds needed for their season via fundraising. There may be additional fundraisers later in the season for travel expenses.
How do you assign teams?
Every attempt is made to keep teams together as they progress to older levels, but since some players advance a level and some players stay at the same level, that is not entirely possible. If there are fewer teams at the next higher level (i.e. going from 3 pee wee teams to 2 junior varsity teams for example) or if new players signup, coaches draft unassigned players into their teams by alternating selections. Cheer teams are formed by the Cheer Director
Can my child change teams?
Players and Cheer leaders normally "track" together from one season to the next. Provisions are made at signup to request a change in tracking. These requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the board. Once a new season starts, players don't normally change teams, however if there is a compelling need such as weight, they may change teams until the roster is certified, normally mid August.
If I have a problem on the team, whom do I go to?
Each team is assigned a “Parent Representative” He or she will is a board member who will be responsible for assisting parents with any issues that arise involving their team or coaching staff. Please note: The head coach has the final authority in how the team is run within the guidelines set forth by HB Pop Warner. Your Player Rep will be your contact to relay any grievance you may have and will be immediately addressed.
What happens if my child misses practice?
Coaches set policy on absences. If a child is absent from one or more practices, they may have limited or no play time in the game Saturday. This is a safety issue. If a player or cheerleader has not worked out at practice and has not practiced the plays/routines, it may not be safe for them to play or cheer in the game. Coaches should be notified in advance of ALL absences
What kind of medical release do I need?
Pop Warner medical releases must state that the child is cleared to play Flag / Tackle Football / Stunt Cheer. Note any medical problems such as asthma on the form and discuss the child’s medical restrictions with the coach before the season starts. Do not doctor shop. If a doctor finds a problem during a checkup to complete the medical form, bring your child to their pediatrician for a full checkup. Football and cheer are strenuous sports and children must be in good physical condition to participate safely. Only an official Pop Warner physical form may be used
Is a baptismal certificate or a non-certified birth certificate or foreign birth certificate good enough for proof of age?
Each association must attest that it has verified the age of all members. The association has the right to refuse or accept a particular form of identification. Check with a board member at registration for current rules
Is a passport good enough for proof of age?
Yes.
Why do you need two photographs of my child?
We are matching up the child who was certified to the child who is playing in the game. There is an official “team binder” and “player book” that must match the player participating prior to each event.
Why do I need to give you a utility bill?
The utility bill and copy of license are used to verify geographic eligibility
Why can’t my child join late and certify immediately?
Pop Warner follows a strict policy of gradual conditioning. Tackle football players need a minimum of 20 hours of conditioning before they are allowed to tackle. There are no exceptions.
Can my child play in a higher level despite their weight?
Yes, as long as they still meet the guidelines. However all new players and cheerleaders are strongly advised to certify at the lowest level possible for their age. This is considered a safety issue. The board may refuse to allow a player to move up to a higher level if they feel the child's safety may be compromised. Children have a more positive experience when playing at the proper level
What steps are necessary for my child to be certified?
Team officials prepare a book for league commissioners showing a properly filled out contract, proof of age, current photograph, medical release and geographic waiver if required. A separate process is completed to check FULL YEAR report cards and certify that all players or cheerleaders above flag level have either a >=2.0 GPA or a school waiver. Home-schooled children also need to supply documentation. Assistant coaches under 18 must also be certified. The final step in certification for tackle football is the weigh in. Players will not be certified until they meet the weight limit. Players must be certified two weeks before they are allowed to play in a game
Why are tackle players re-weighed before each game?
Pop Warner allows a one-pound every other week growth allowance starting after the second game after certification. The weigh in assures that all players are within this limit for the safety of all the children
What happens if my child can’t make the weight in a level?
They may change teams and certify at a higher level if they can make the weight limit. That should be done as earlier as possible so that the child will have plenty of time to practice with the new team.
Does my child need experience to play on a higher-level level?
No, but all new players and cheerleaders are strongly advised to certify at the lowest level possible for their age. The interests and maturity of a fourth grader, sixth grader and eighth grader are all quite different
How do you select coaches?
Each winter, interested adults fill out a coach’s application. Prospective coaches are vetted by a panel of several individuals and interviews are held after the first of the year. Coaches are then reviewed and voted upon by the entire board of directors.
How can I become a football coach?
Fill out an application. You can find an application on the Website
Do you check coach’s backgrounds?
We perform background checks and check and references on all board members, coaches, coaching staffs and any others who are in contact with any players
How can I become an assistant coach?
Head Coaches select their staff, with the approval of the Board. Contact a head coach to apply or fill out the coaching application via our website. If you do not know who the coaches are, fill out the coaching form and the board will review.
How can I become a cheer coach?
You should apply with the Cheer Director at cheerdirector@hbpwf.org. You can find an application on the Website.
What are the rules about traveling with youth?
There are specific rules about adult to child ratios for cheer squads. No staff member may transport a child to an event without the permission of the parent or guardian and a copy of the traveling medical form. An adequate number of adult volunteers are needed to supervise any team travel out of county. No staff member may travel alone with any child except his or her own. Parents or guardians fill out forms at registration designating who is allowed to pick up their child. Please notify the coach of any other arrangements that are made during the year.
What is the supervision at practice?
Coaches are available to assist players and cheerleaders during practice, but parents are urged to attend practices of younger children. Coaches should have a way of contacting a parent or guardian at all times. Make sure that the coach has your current contact phone or pager number. In no way should football or cheer be regarded as a babysitting service. No child should be left alone after the end of practice. If you drop your child off you are responsible for knowing what time practice ends and picking up your child on time. Otherwise, you are requiring a staff member to wait with the child.
Is there a mercy rule in football?
Yes. The rules change if there is a certain point difference between the scores. See the OEC RULES (see Into / OEC Link Page) to obtain a copy of the rules. If a game ends in a 28 or more point difference, or if players do not all receive their minimum plays, coaches are penalized
Why can’t we get the schedule for the whole season ahead of time?
The regular season games are scheduled randomly as soon as teams are formed and certified in mid to late August. Playoff games can’t be scheduled till after the seventh or eighth game, and can only be schedule one week at a time. You can also visit the Orange Empire Conference website for all of the latest updates at http://24.199.21.46/OECWEB
Why are football teams required to attend the Cheer Competition?
All during the year the cheer squads are cheering for the boys at every game. The boys are required to attend this important cheer event to support their cheer squad