Strength • Honor • Discipline
FAQs Coaching Staff
Here are a few of the many reasons you should join Pop Warner:
 NO TRYOUTS! – Pop Warner programs have no tryouts or cutting of rosters.
Programs in 42 States & 6 Countries – Pop Warner Little Scholars has active programs in 42 states and 6 different countries. To view a list of these locations, please use our League Finder to locate the program closest to you. If there currently isn't a program in your area, and you would like to form your own league in Pop Warner, please complete and send in our Charter Application.
More than just athletes! – Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. (PWLS) is the only national youth sports organization in America that requires its participants to perform adequately in the classroom before permitting them to play. We believe that the standards we have set give these children a sense of responsibility and an appreciation for academics and athletics that will help them develop later on in life.
"Little Scholars" – Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. (PWLS) is the only national youth sports organization in America that rewards its members for their outstanding performance in the classroom. Each year, the most academically accomplished Pop Warner kids compete for Academic All-American status, and are rewarded on several different levels (I.e. National, Regional, League, etc.).
Stability – Heading into our 77th year, Pop Warner Little Scholars is the oldest national youth football and cheerleading organization in the world. Founded in 1929 by Joe Tomlin in Philadelphia as four-team conference, we now have over 130 leagues and over 380,000 members.
It's Inexpensive – Signing up for Pop Warner Football, Cheerleading or Dance is inexpensive. A typical registration fee for each participant ranges from about $40 to $100 for the season, depending on your local area. Please note, registration fees are set by each local program and what is included varies from program to program.
Pop Warner National Championships – Each year, Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. hosts the Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer and Dance Championships. For the past ten year, the event has taken place at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex ™ in Lake Buena Vista, FL during the second week of December. More than 400 cheer and dance squads and 64 football teams compete for the right to be crowned Pop Warner National Champion.
National Scholar Banquet – Pop Warner hosts an awards program each year to celebrate the accomplishments of our participants. Scholarships are awarded and we recognize those that have contributed and served as exemplary ambassadors for Pop Warner. Nationally, we select First Team, Second Team and Honorable Mention All-Americans and award scholarships for higher education to the most deserving students in our highest grade levels.
Mandatory Play Requirements – Everyone participates under mandatory rules of play. Each league may set a higher number of Mandatory Plays, but never less than the minimum set by PWLS. All MPR's should be based on eligible players at the time of the game.
Age-Weight Structure – Kids compete with kids of similar age and size. We set and enforce a strict AGE & WEIGHT MATRIX that reduces the risk and reality of injuries.
Volunteers & Coaches – We have over 40,000 volunteers and coaches that are being trained every year to offer the best and safest programs for you and your children.
It all starts here – The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) estimates that between 60% and 70% of all NFL players began their careers playing Pop Warner Football. View a list of all alumni.
Background Checks – For the 3rd consecutive season, Pop Warner programs nationwide are required to annually conduct a background check of Coaches, Board of Directors members and any other persons, volunteers or hired workers, who provide regular service to the league and/or have repetitive access to, or contact with, players and/or spirit participants. The purpose of these background checks is, first and foremost, to protect the children.
Football & Cheerleading Camps – Pop Warner offers several nationwide FOOTBALL CAMPS and CHEERLEADING CAMPS for our members at low costs.
Safety, Safety, Safety! – Kids compete with kids of similar age and size. Pop Warner is the ONLY youth football program (local, regional and national) that sets and enforces a strict AGE & WEIGHT MATRIX that reduces the risk and reality of injuries. 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!
National Rule Book – Each Pop Warner Region, League and Association receive free National rule books for their organizations.
Administrative Manual – Each Pop Warner Region, League and Association receive free National Administrative Manuals, designed to keep each League and Association current on all administrative matters, as well as to facilitate the daily operational management of those local organizations.
NFL Youth Football Partner – Pop Warner is a proud NFL Youth Football Partner. Pop Warner programs are eligible for Travel grants, organizational grants, and facility grants through this great relationship.
Coaches and Adult Codes – All coaches, football and spirit participants must abide by a Code of Conduct which includes several provisions. If any of these rules are broken, the League shall have the authority to impose a penalty
Free Online Roster Program – Pop Warner offers a free online roster program to all of our members to roster their participants easily and effectively.
We surround ourselves with the best – Pop Warner is proud to have numerous outstanding sponsors, licensee ,fundraiser's and partners who offer several amazing opportunities to our programs.
FREE HELP and DISCOUNTS – Pop Warner sponsors and partners such as Spalding and Bike Athletic offer free equipment and uniform merchandise as part of a grant program for new organizations as well as those in financial need. Pop Warner partners also offer Pop Warner only discounts and rebates on merchandise such as footballs, cheer and dance apparel, fundraising items.
Competitive and Affordable Insurance – Pop Warner offers low-cost, broad insurance coverage as a benefit to its members. The Plan is specifically written to meet the needs of Pop Warner Little Scholars. The Pop Warner Insurance Committee, in conjunction with its Broker, periodically reviews the cyclical insurance marketplace to obtain the broadest possible coverage at the most competitive price.
THE ROLE OF THE PARENT IN POP WARNER FOOTBALL
The support of the parents, both mothers and fathers, is essential to the success of any youth program, but this support should be of the off-field variety in such activities as board positions, fund raising, promotions, equipment maintenance, team sponsorship, snack shack and other volunteer activities, as well as loyal but fair, fan support in the stands on the day of the game.
Parents must clearly understand the aim of the Pop Warner program, which is to teach their children good sportsmanship, fair play and a love and appreciation for the game of football.
Parents must never interfere with the operation of the team just because their child happens to be a member of that team. They will be better supporters of the team if they understand what the coaches are trying to do. The coach is the best judge of his players' abilities and capabilities and parents should not question his use of personnel, plays, strategy or methods. The coaching staff will be available after each session to answer your questions and we encourage parents to utilize this time.
Alcoholic beverages and/or drugs are not allowed on the school premises at any time. Those that fail to adhere to this policy will be reported to the local authorities. In addition, the team will forfeit the game, per Pop Warner rules.
Costa Mesa Pop Warner is always looking for volunteers to help at the games. Team spotters, team chain gang, scoreboard operators, etc. will be needed at games. Please let the Head Coach or Team Parent know if you can be of help in any of these areas.
PARTICIPANT RULES AND REGULATIONS
Player’s Pledge of Conduct
I will faithfully keep and abide by the following rules and carry them out to the best of my ability.
1. I will play any position assigned to me and will always do my very best for the team.
2. When my team is not playing, I will stay off the playing field completely and will not interfere with those that are playing.
3. I will not damage or deface any property, building or equipment owned and/or used by the Mesa Eagles.
4. I agree to abide by all decisions of game officials and will not create any unsportsmanlike-like gestures at any time.
5. I agree that I will be a respectful person at all times and I will refrain from using foul language.
6. I agree to return, upon request, the uniform and other equipment issued to me in the same condition as when received except for normal wear and tear.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance at all practice sessions and games is necessary. It is hard on any candidate to miss practice sessions. If a candidate cannot attend due to illness or injury, please contact his or her head coach and explain the absence. Contacting anyone OTHER than the head coach is not acceptable. Please note that playing time may be reduced as a result of missed practices.
HEALTH AND HYGIENE
Good diet and sleep habits are a must for an athlete. A good diet will give you the source of energy your body needs, and good sleep habits will allow your muscles to rest properly and gain the strength that will be needed in a contact sport.
MEDICAL RELEASE/PHYSICALS
All players must have a current medical release form (click on "forms" tab) completed and signed by a parent AND a doctor. If a physical cannot be arranged in time, we have made arrangements for discounted physicals ($20.00) with a medical professional. Please call (714) 662-1921 to schedule an appointment.
CONDITIONING
During the first week of practice, each football player is subjected to a vigorous training program designed to build the strength and stamina needed to cope with the physical contact.
In accordance with Pop Warner regulations, we are allowed to carry a maximum of 35 players per team. There are no try-outs. Once you're signed up, you're on the team. The first 35 players signed up on each team will get a roster spot. Teams are assigned by age and weight.
To see what team a child would qualify for based on age and weight, click here.
CUTTING OF PLAYERS
Any player must be cut who:
1. Weighs 10 or more pounds above the maximum weight for the selected division of play at the time of the initial weigh-in on August 1.
2. Weighs 3 or more pounds less than the minimum weight for the selected division of play at the time of the initial weigh-in on August 1.
3. Is found to have signed up as the result of parental pressure or who tells team management he does not really want to play.
4. Is physically or mentally unprepared to play in a contact sport, and whose actions or lack of aggression prove to jeopardize his health or the health of his or her teammates.
5. Refuses or cannot furnish the 4 required items; Parental consent, medical examination, proof of age and scholastic fitness.
6. Has one or two artificial legs (technically: illegal equipment). However, a player with an artificial hand or arm may play upon removal of the prosthesis.
7. Is found to be simultaneously trying out for a school tackle football team, or who once the season starts is found to be playing for a school tackle football team. However, participation in a school flag football team, if required by curriculum of the school P.E. program, is allowed.
8. Attempts to intimidate fellow players in practice by word and/or physical deed.
9. Is a disciplinary problem.
10. The parents/family member or family friend exhibits unsportsmanlike-like conduct in front of the coach or other spectators.
VOLUNTARY CUTS
A player shall be considered a voluntary or "self cut" player when he simply no longer shows up for practice or games of his own free will.
CERTIFICATION
All candidates that have been put on a team roster must be certified. Certification includes the verification of their age and weight. Certification is conducted by the Orange Empire Conference (OEC) Commissioner. The candidate's age is verified by his birth certificate. Weights are verified in the presence of the Commissioner, and if all requirements are met, his picture and certification form are stamped "approved". The current year's report card will be required to complete your certification. Once the candidate is certified, he will be allowed to weigh in at 1 pound per week over the maximum weight listed for his division.
PRACTICE SESSIONS
All practice sessions will be held at Parsons Field at Estancia High School. It is the responsibility of each participant's parents to provide transportation to and from ALL practice sessions and games. COACHES ARE NOT PERMITTED TO DRIVE PLAYERS ANYWHERE. On days that is difficult for you to bring and pick up your child, you must make arrangements with another team parent. Children who are not picked up at the end of practice by their parents may be dropped after the second warning.
PRACTICE TIMES
Practice times will be 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. From August 1 until school starts, there will be 4 practice sessions per week, Monday through Thursday. Practice sessions will be a maximum of 2 1/2 hours duration totaling a maximum of 10 hours per week. Break times are not included as practice time.
When school starts, practice sessions will be reduced to 3 days per week, with a maximum of 6 hours per week. Practices will be held Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Please see the calendar for details.
TEAM RULES
click here for team rules.
GAMES
All home games will be played on Saturdays at Jim Scott Stadium (or Parsons Field) at Estancia High School. Regular season away games will be determined in August. It is possible that some of the games may be played on Sunday.
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