Mission Statement

Not only will we instruct our athletes in the fundamentals of football, but also promote life-long values dealing with self-discipline, determination, teamwork, sportsmanship, and adversity.

The mission of the Pop Warner Little Scholars is to enable young people to benefit from participation in team sports and activities in a safe and structured environment. Through this active participation, Pop Warner Programs teach fundamental values, skills and knowledge that young people will use throughout their lives.

GOALS AND PHILOSOPHY OF THE POP WARNER PROGRAM

Pop Warner is an international program operated for the benefits of its youth participants. Since 1929, the program’s philosophy has been: Academics and Athletics go hand-in-hand. At every level, Pop Warner seeks to develop well-rounded young men and women who learn not only the fundamentals of football, cheerleading and dance but also the importance of education, in an atmosphere conducive to developing sound mind, body and character – and having an enjoyable time along the way.

The general objectives of Pop Warner are to inspire youth, regardless of race, creed, religion or national origin, to practice the ideals of sportsmanship, scholarship and physical fitness, as reflected in the life of the late Glen Scobie “Pop” Warner.

Pop Warner strives to make the game fun for all boys and girls. The program stresses learning lessons of value far beyond the playing or spirit days of the boys and girls involved, such as: self-discipline, teamwork, concentration, friendship, leadership and good sportsmanship. With such goals in mind, and by providing an opportunity to participate in an organized, supervised environment with emphasis on maximum safety and participation, Pop Warner offers young men and women a unique and memorable experience.

                                                Code of Conduct

The East Lynn Pop Warner Bulldogs Association has always encouraged good sportsmanship in its program. The following guidelines are to be read and understood by all coaches, assistant coaches, managers, players, and parents of each team. These standards must be emphasized during training/games and should be evident in the style of play. The East Lynn Pop Warner Bulldogs Association believes that the players, coaches, and parents should understand what is expected of them. Football is a sport, which belongs to the players. It is a game, which offers physical challenges, emotional satisfaction, and lifelong values for those who participate. Good sportsmanship doesn’t just happen; it needs to be taught, encouraged, and demonstrated.

Coaches’ Code of Conduct

All coaches, football participants will abide by the Code of Conduct which includes the following provisions. If any of these rules are broken, the league shall have the authority to impose a penalty. Coaches shall:

1. Thoroughly acquaint yourself with the rules of football. You are responsible for assuring the players understand the intent and application of these rules.
2. Impress on your players that they must abide by the rules of the game at all times.
3. You must perform your duties on a basic of careful preparation, ensuring that your instruction is current and accurate. Coaches are encouraged to attend coaching clinics when available.
4. Coaches should remain current on health, safety, and Training developments relevant to the sport of football.
5. Be reasonable in your demands of the young players’ time, energy, enthusiasm, and their performance on the field.
6. Ensure that your players’ football experience is one enjoyment. Players should never be yelled at, ridiculed for making a mistake, or losing a game.
7. You are responsible for your players’ actions on the field. Un-sportsman-like conduct, illegal substitutions, taunting, deliberate faking of injuries and “professional fouls” are considered unethical.
8. Set a good example and be generous with your praise when it is deserved. Children need coaches they can respect.
9. Accept decisions of the game officials, coaches should treat game officials with respect. Any criticism or complaints leveled against officials should be made to the East Lynn Pop Warner Bulldogs Association, President or Board Member.
10. Develop team respect for the ability of the opponent, the judgment of referees, and opposing coaches. Verbal dissent during a game with an opposing coach’s bench should be completely avoided.
11. Enlist the support of your team’s parents in your efforts to instill the proper attitudes and values in the players.
12. Coaches are expected to be responsible for their own conduct as well as the conduct of other coaches, players, and spectators on their sidelines.
13. Check the equipment and facilities you use. They should meet safety standards and be appropriate for age and ability of your players. Also make sure players leave the playing field trash-free after each practice.
14. Remember that this is for the children.
15. Not smoke and/or use smokeless tobacco on the field.
16. Not criticize an opposing team, its players, coaches, or fans by word of mouth or by gesture.
17. Emphasize that good athletes strive to be good students and that both are physically and mentally alert.
18. Strive to make every football activity serve as a training ground for life, and basis for good mental and physical health.
19. Emphasize that winning is the result of good “teamwork”.
20. Not use abusive or profane language at any time.
21. Not “pile it on;” not encourage their team to get a commanding lead and raise the score as high as it can. In these instances, every effort shall be made to let all players play.
22. Not receive any payment, in cash or kind, for services as a coach in Pop Warner Foootball. This includes and coach, expert, consultant, regardless of his roster status.
23. Not permit or encourage “sweating down” tactics in order for a player to make the team weight.
24. Not recommend or distribute any medication controlled or over the counter, except as specifically prescribed by participant’s physician.
25. Not permit an ineligible player to participate in a game.
26. Not deliberately incite unsportsmanlike conduct.
27. Abstain from the possession and drinking of alcoholic beverages and the possession or use of any illegal substance on both the game and practice fields.
28. Remove from a game or practice any participant when even slightly in doubt about his/her health, whether or not  as a result of injury, until competent medical advice is available.
29. Control their fans. Remember, as a team coach, you’re responsible for your team, and fans reaction will usually be in step with your reaction.
30. Uphold all rules and regulations, National and local, regarding Pop Warner Football.
31. I have read the Pop Warner Coaches Code of Conduct and agree to uphold it. I also understand that if I do not uphold the above coaches Code of Conduct my Local Association and/or Eastern Conference can impose a penalty against me and/or my coaching staff.

Parent’s Code of Conduct

1. Do not force an unwilling child to participate in sports.
2. Remember children are involved in organized sports for their enjoyment, not yours
3. Teach your child to play by the rules.
4. Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort is more important than a victory.
5. Always arrive at practice and games on time.
6. Be your child’s best fan. Do not ridicule or yell at your child for making a mistake or losing the game. Support your child unconditionally.
7. Do not offer bribes or incentives. They will distract your child from concentrating in practice and game situations.
8. Help your child demonstrate good sportsmanship in every game. Set a good example. Children learn best by example.
9. Monitor eating, sleeping, and stress level at home. Be sure your child is eating the proper foods and getting adequate rest. Make sure they are handling stress effectively from the various activities in his/her life.
10. Keep football in its proper perspective. Help your child maintain focus on schoolwork, relationships, and other things in life besides football.
11. Applaud good plays by your team and by members of the opposing team.
12. Recognize the value and importance of volunteer coaches, referees, and officials. Give them their due respect. Do not publicly question referee judgment or their honesty.
13. Let the coaches’ coach. This includes motivating, psyching your child for games, after game critiquing, setting goals, and requiring additional training, ect. it is confusing for the child and their performance usually declines.
14. Encourage your child to talk to the coaches if they are having difficulty with practice or games. This teaches them that they have a stake in all aspects of the game.
15. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sporting activities.
16. Get involved! Help out with fundraisers, carpool, concessions, anything to support the program.
17. Remember that the children have to keep their grades up in school since this is the only national youth sports organization that requires scholastic aptitude to participate.
18. And most importantly remember that this is for the children and Have fun!
19. In order to uphold the goals of Pop Warner and ensure that all participants have the benefit of a safe and fun learning environment, all parents, guardians and other adults and attendees of Pop Warner events, and banquets, must behave accordingly in a respectful, courteous and sportsmanlike manner at all times.
20. Any adult who is using alcohol, tobacco or non-prescription drugs and/or appears intoxicated at a Pop Warner event, and/or who is flagrantly rude, attempts to intimidate, verbally abuse, heckles, taunts, ridicules, boos, throws   objects and/or uses vulgarity or profane language/gestures with an official, coach, volunteer, staff  member, participant or other event attendee, must receive a verbal warning and/or be asked to leave a Pop Warner event. The member organization may also provide written warning to the individual regarding the misbehavior. The adult’s children may also be removed from the event. Any adult, who commits one of the above stated offenses a second time, will be banned from any and all Pop Warner events for a period of one year from the date of the second offense, and  their children may also be removed from the program(s) for that time period.
21. Any adult who physically assaults an official, coach, volunteer, staff member or participant or threatens grave bodily harm may be banned from any and all Pop Warner events for one year from the date of the offense, and their children may also be removed from any and all Pop Warner programs for the same period of time. After the ban has expired, if the individual commits another offense of the adult code of conduct, the individual will be permanently banned from any and all Pop Warner events and the individual’s children may also be permanently removed from any and all Pop Warner programs.
22. I have read the Pop Warner Parents Code of Conduct and agree to uphold it. I also understand that if I do not uphold the above Parents Code of Conduct my Local Association and/or Eastern Conference can impose a penalty against me and/or my child.

Player’s Code of Conduct

1. Play for the fun of it, not just to please your parents or coach.
2. Play by the rules.
3. Never argue with or complain about the referee calls or decisions.
4. Concentrate on playing football and on affecting the outcome of the game with  your best effort.
5. Treat all players as you would like to be treated.
6. Control your temper and resist the temptation to retaliate when you feel you have been wronged.
7. Cooperate with your coaches, teammates, opponents, and referees.
8. Remember that the goals of the game are to have fun, improve skills and feel good.
9. Be a team player. Don’t be a show-off or a ball-hog.
10. Practice makes perfect! You should attend all scheduled practices. If a player does not attend practice he may be benched at the coaches’ descression.
11. Always arrive at practice and games on time with the equipment required to participate.
12. Always remember that you have to do well in school to succeed and that this is the only national youth sports organization that requires scholastic aptitude to participate.
13. I agree not to use my helmet to butt, ram, or spear another player. I understand that this is a violation of football rules and weather intentional or accidental, it can result in severe head, brain, and/or neck injury, paralysis, and/or death to myself and/or my opponent.

I have read and understand what is expected in the Code of Conduct.

Signature of athlete

Signature of Parent/Guardian

Signature of Coach