Frequently Asked Questions

This is where you will find most answers. If there should still be any questions left, don’t hesitate to contact us.

2020 Fall Season Registration is now closed.

Step One. Complete the online registration. (Online registration is now closed)

Step Two. After completing the required online registration, please complete and submit the necessary forms at one of the scheduled in-person registrations. Please follow this link to schedule an appointment to register in person: https://signup.com/go/cTGeZGu All Registration forms for the 2020 Season can be found below. The Pop Warner Little Scholars organization has a clear focus on the safety and academics of its participants. As a result, there are a few “mandatory” forms that must be completed in order to register your child. Below is a summary of all the necessary paperwork.

Our organization is cognizant of the ongoing threat of COVID-19. During registrations, we ask that everyone maintain 6 feet between themselves and others.

Items Needed for Registration

Completed Registration Forms
Official Birth Certificate
– Bring original and make a copy of your birth certificate and bring both with you to registration. Returning 2019 Sun Devil players/cheerleaders DO NOT need to bring a Birth Certificate

Please note: For the 2020 Season, the Sarasota Sun Devils will have a league Physician available for Physicals at some registration dates.

*A “full year” report card will be required before any child will be eligible to participate.

All Physicals must be performed and signed in the year 2020.
No physicals dated or performed in 2019 will be accepted. This includes the date the physical was performed on the child.
All physicals must be done on the Pop Warner physical form NOT a Sarasota County School form.
Also, NO FAX COPIES will be accepted. League rules require the form to be the original document.

Some reminders when filling out the online registration and registration forms

Must use the child’s full legal name as shown on their birth certificate
Must use the same address for child and parent throughout
Must use a main phone number throughout
Must provide an alternate emergency number but it can’t be the same as the primary number.
Please make sure to include an email address.
If you make an error on a form, put one line through the text and make the correction. Do not use white out or scribble out text on the form.

Registration forms will be uploaded once registration opens for next season.

What are the age/weight restrictions?

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. Children ages 5 – 14 years old are eligible to participate. The 2020 Age Matrix is applicable to ALL children with Birthdays before August 1. The exception is the new 14U division for players aged 13 or 14 with no weight limit.

The “Weight” matrix is only applicable to our “tackle football” program.

View 2018 Age & Weight Matrix

How much is registration and what’s included?

2020 Registration Costs

Football and Cheer (All levels): $345 Registration, $320 per additional child

REGISTRATION COSTS INCLUDE:

All apparel/equipment for football players will be provided with the exception of cleats.
Football cleats are required and can be purchased for a minimal amount of money
at Payless Shoe, Wal-Mart, Target or any sporting good store.

Cheerleaders will be provided with cheer uniform, shoes, and bloomers.
Cheerleaders will need to purchase the following: Practice Soffe shorts (Red or Black)

Football players will be able to keep their “Game” Jersey at the end of the season.

Cheerleaders will be able to keep their “Game” shoes and practice cheer shirts at the end of the season.

Note: Only our Tiny Mite and Mitey Mite Football & Cheer participants
will receive a participation trophy.

How long is the season?

The Pop Warner Season always starts on August 1.
For both Football and Cheerleading, there are post-season playoffs/competitions if your team qualifies.
All competitions are completed by Mid-December.

FOOTBALL

Conference Championship: End of October
Regional Championship: Beginning of November
POP WARNER SUPER BOWL: December 5-12 (DISNEY WORLD)

CHEER

Peace River Conference Championship: October
Southeast Region Championship: November
POP WARNER NATIONAL CHEER & DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP: December 6-11 (DISNEY WORLD)

When do we practice?

Practice Begins August 1

For the Month of August:Practices can be up to 5 nights a week Monday through Friday from 5:45-8:45pm, plus possible weekend practices.

After the first game and through the regular season: Practices are 3 nights a week from 5:45 – 8:15pm

We practice Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday after the first game.

**Please Note**
All family vacations need to be completed prior to August 1.
Pop Warner rules require a specific amount of conditions and practice hours be completed prior to participating in regular games. These requirements require all participants to be present on August 1.

When do we play?

Game Day is Saturday!

All teams play an 8 game schedule.
Mighty Mite – Junior Varsity teams are also eligible for post-season playoffs.

The typical game day is scheduled as follows:

Tiny Mites	9:00am
Mitey Mites	11:00am
Junior Pee Wees	1:00pm
Pee Wees	3:00pm
Junior Varsityw	5:00pm
14U	7:00pm

Please visit the “Calendar” page to view and print a list of all our 2020 games. (schedules are always subject to change)
**All participants arrive one hour or more prior to game time – home or away**

What are the mandatory play rules?

Pop Warner is one of the few youth leagues in the country which has enacted & ENFORCES a mandatory minimum play requirement for all players. The rule is listed here and is absolute.

The following are excerpts from the By-Laws regarding the Mandatory play rule.

1. Each team shall strictly follow the current National MPR.
2. Game officials will notify both Head coaches at the end of the third quarter of play, that any player who has not met the MPR should now be placed in the game.
3. Any player who has not met the MPR by the end of the 3rd quarter, according to the MPR sheet, MUST start the 4th quarter, regardless of whether that team is on Offense or Defense. These players shall remain in the game until they have met the MPR. The MPR sheet shall be considered the FINAL WORD and may not be over-ruled by ANY coach or Commissioner.

The current National Pop Warner rule book states the following with regards to the MPR.

16-25 players    –    10 plays
26-30 players    –     8 plays
31-35 players    –     6 plays

The MPR is determined by the number of players eligible at the time of the game, and not based on the size of the roster.

Chain of Command

If there is a question or complaint against a player, a parent, a member of the coaching staff, an official, a member of the Board of Directors, or the Board of Directors, the complaint must be filed with the appropriate member in the Chain of Command.

The Chain of Command is as follows:

Head Coach
Football or Cheer Director
Association Vice President
Association President
Association Board of Directors

When do you contact Conference?

There are only three people from your Association who can contact Conference:

Your Association President, Athletic Director, and Cheer Director.

If you have an issue that you believe should come to the attention of Peace River Conference, please do this through one of your three Conference Representatives. If you have a complaint against the Association’s Board of Directors, then, and only then, may you submit a formal complaint in writing to the President of Peace River Conference.

AT NO TIME DO YOU EVER CALL A CONFERENCE OFFICER ON THE PHONE

When do I contact National Pop Warner?

National Pop Warner doesn’t hear complaints from anyone.

Decisions of the Peace River Conference are FINAL! If you contact National Pop Warner, the complaint will be returned to the Peace River Conference. If this happens, the person or persons filing the complaint will either be fined or suspended for not adhering to the chain of command. Always try to resolve the issue within the team before proceeding up the Chain of Command. Remember, your Association Officers are there to make sure that football and cheer teams are run according to the rules; they are NOT there to tell coaches how or who to coach.