Participant safety has always been Pop Warner’s number one priority. The Heads Up Football program is the latest step in delivering a safer program to all Pop Warner players.  Heads Up Football is a unique coach certification program by USA Football that advances player safety through education and nationally endorsed standards. Click here to learn more.  Below is summary of how safety is integrated into everything Point Loma Youth Football does to keep players safe and to avoid injuries.

• Age and Weight Restrictions – Divisions are separated by age to ensure players are matched by maturity.  The younger Mighty-Mite division (ages 7, 8, and 9) is weight restricted to 45 to 100 lbs.  Click here to see the current division matrix.  
  
  
• Heads Up Coach Training and Certification – All coaches are Heads Up certified by the USA Football Association.  The program includes football fundamentals, practice planning, communication, skill development, first aid, and concussion recognition and response.
  

• Shoulder Tackling – Coaches are trained in teaching proper shoulder tackling techniques developed by the Seattle Seahawks, setting a new standard in player safety for minimizing injury.

• Helmets – Helmets today use advanced technology to protect players. Helmets must be replaced or refurbished every 2 years to ensure players are well protected from impacts.

• Equipment & Weight Checks - Before the start of each game, a third party weighs each player and checks helmet certification and mouth guards to ensure conformance to league standards.

• Background Checks – Third party background checks are performed on all coaches and volunteers.

• Contact Limitations – Practices are structured around league guidelines to regulate contact time to national standards.

• Conditioning Requirements – Players must complete a minimum 5 days of training and conditioning before putting on pads.

Mitey Mite Game Restrictions: 

• No kick-off returns
• Defensive linemen cannot contact the Center on the snap
• Defense cannot rush on a field goal attempt
• Elimination of 3 point stance

Jr. Pee Wee Game Restrictions:

• No kick-off returns
• Elimination of 3 point stance

• No kick-off returns