Safety in Pop Warner Football

Pop Warner Football players compete with athletes of similar age and size.  Pop Warner is the only youth football program that sets and enforces a strict age and weight matrix that helps reduce the risk of injuries.  (Click here for Pop Warner Age & Weight Matrix)

Pop Warner rules also govern the strict use of safety equipment (including helmets and pads), inspection and replacement of equipment, and practice and game rules which are designed to reduce injury risk.   Additionally, coaches must complete and be certified in the USA Football Heads Up training course, which includes significant safety instruction.

Datalys Institute Research data show that Pop Warner Rules and Heads-Up Football Training result in injury rate that has 87% fewer injuries than non-Heads-Up/non-Pop Warner programs. (http://www.popwarner.com/football/footballsafety.htm)

Safety in Pop Warner Cheerleading

Safety First! is the latest of a number of safety initiatives that Cheerleading governing bodies have implemented in past years.  The program instituted guidelines to prevent cheerleading injury, especially during stunts and tumbling.  Additionally, all coaching staff are certified via the Youth Cheer and Dance Alliance Pop Warner course and safety guidelines.

The results show that total catastrophic injuries in cheerleading were cut in half from 2005 to 2006, and that cheerleading's injuries per 100,000 participants is only 2.0, significantly less than the figures for popular women's sports such as gymnastics. (http://www.popwarner.com/cheer/cheersafety.htm)

Coaching Certification, CPR, and Concussions 

All MYFCA Coaching staff must:

• Pass a First Advantage background check
• Have a valid coaching certificate (USA Football Heads Up or Youth Cheer and Dance Alliance)
• Complete the Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. course certification

MYFCA strictly follows Pop Warner rules which require that, "All practices must be attended by one person holding a Red Cross Community CPR and a First Aid certification OR National Center for Sports Safety PREPARE Certificate of Completion, or equivalent, if not by an EMT or volunteer physician.“  Additionally, MYFCA practice and game sites are equipped with automatic external defibrillators (AED). 

Coaching staff training includes significant instruction on preventing concussion injuries.   If an athlete is suspected to have a concussion injury, a medical clearance note will be required to return to practices and games.  For further concussion  awareness and prevention information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Heads Up site:  CDC Heads Up.