Prioritizing Safety
In Pop Warner, children play with peers of similar age and size. Uniquely, Pop Warner is the only youth football organization (at local, regional, and national levels) that implements and strictly adheres to an AGE MATRIX, significantly diminishing the likelihood and severity of injuries.

Interesting Fact on Youth Football Safety
Pop Warner football is statistically safer than soccer for youth players. In the 5-15 age group, Pop Warner football experiences 12% fewer injuries per capita compared to organized soccer, as per data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, NEISS.

Mandatory Training for Coaches
Every coach in Pop Warner is required to complete the Youth Coach Certification provided by USA Football. This is a crucial step to qualify for coaching during the season. The certification's primary focus is to ensure that Pop Warner coaches are well-versed in the safest methods of teaching proper techniques for blocking, defeating blocks, and tackling. The program includes education on health and safety, anti-abuse protocols, a summary of the Football Development Model, among other topics. More information can be found here at USA Football and here on the national Pop Warner safety page.

Additionally, all practice sessions must be supervised by at least one individual certified in Red Cross Community CPR and First Aid, or holding a National Center for Sports Safety PREPARE Certificate of Completion, or an equivalent certification, unless a qualified EMT or volunteer physician is present.