Q. Why does practice start in August?
The league mandates that each player have a minimum of 10 hours practice time before being involved in contact drills, and an additional 10 hours before scrimmaging. Since many people take summer vacations, the additional practice time ensures all players are properly conditioned and qualified for play once the season begins.
Q. How often do teams practice and for how long?
For tackle football, practice is 4 nights/week from 5:30-8:00pm, before the start of the school year. Afterwards, practice is 3 nights/week from 6:00-8:00pm. The coaches will determine which nights each week the teams will practice. Practices are held on the field behind Hamagrael Elementary School.
Q. Where are Home Games played?
Flag football home games are played at Hamagrael Elementary School. Tackle football home games are played at Bethlehem Middle School. Each season we try to schedule a few home games at Bethlehem High School. Use the Directions menu item above for information on how to get to these locations.
Q. When are Games Played?
Flag games are played Saturday mornings between 9:00am and noon. Tackle games are on Saturday or Sunday.
Q. How do I get to the Away Games?
Your Team Parent will provide directions to all Away Games during practice the week before each game. There are also links to the directions to most Away Game fields on the BPW Web Site.
Q. Isn't football dangerous? I'm afraid my child might get hurt.
According to injury statistics, Pop Warner football is actually 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! (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, NEISS)
Q. Do I have to buy the football uniform and equipment for my child(ren)?
Parents need to equip their child with a water bottle (labeled w/name), non-metal football cleats, black athletic socks, a shirt to fit under pads, an athletic supporter and protective cup. The other equipment for tackle football (helmet, pads, mouth guard, practice pants and jersey, game pants and jersey) are provided.
A deposit check of $200 is required to receive the uniform/equipment provided by BPW. This check will NOT be cashed and will be returned to you provided the equipment/uniform is returned in good condition to BPW by December 1st.
Q. What training do coaches receive and how are they selected?
All on-field personnel must complete a mandatory certification program offered by the parent Pop Warner organization. Head Coaches are recommended by the Football Coordinator(s) and then approved by the BPW Board. Assistant coaches are then recommended by each Head Coach and approved by the BPW Board. Anyone with an interest in coaching should contact the Football Coordinator or use our Feedback Email Address and include your qualifications and experience.
Q. Are any background or reference checks done on the coaches?
Yes. Actually, full background checks are done on all BPW Board Members and any volunteer who will have involvement with the children as mandated by the National Pop Warner organization.
Q. How much playing time will my child get on game day?
There are strict rules within the Pop Warner organization that mandate the minimum number of plays that each player on the roster must be involved in during every game, based on the size of each team, so that each player will be involved in every game.
Q. Who determines what team my child is on and which position my child will play?
While we understand you may have a preference for your child, team/squad assignments will be determined at the discretion of BPW based on age, grade level, weight (tackle football), experience, and size of teams.
Football is different from other community sports in that the nature of the game does not lend itself to giving every child an opportunity to touch the ball. Football requires eleven players working in unison, on offense and defense, each player being an integral part of the success of every play, whether they are blocking, running, throwing, catching, rushing, covering, or tackling. This is why teamwork is one of the most important concepts stressed throughout the program. Which position each child plays is determined by the head coach based on the player's attendance and attention at practice, attitude, and ability, and always with the safety of the player in mind.
Q. How will I be notified if practice or a game is canceled?
Football practices and games are rarely canceled due to weather, and will be held in rain/snow/cold/heat etc. as long as there are no safety issues for the participants (such as lightning). In the event that a practice or game is canceled, you will be notified through your Team Parent.
