FAQs For 2021
When does the Pop Warner season start and end?
All our teams will take the field for non-mandatory summer camps in early June, with actual mandatory practice beginning on the last Monday of July or the 1st of August. The regular season ends the first weekend of November. Playoff games and post season bowl games may extend the season to the first weekend of December. That is the weekend of travel bowl games to such places as Laughlin, Lake Havasu, Las Vegas, or San Diego. Teams that qualify for National Playoffs will travel to Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida.
My child has never played tackle football; will he/she be okay?
Over half of the boys and girls who sign up every year have had little or no prior football experience. Our coaches are aware of this and take it into consideration during the conditioning and initial instruction period throughout the month of August. This is one of the reasons why it is of utmost importance for your child to attend each and every scheduled practice. We also offer free preseason camps that begin in June. These camps are entirely optional and under no circumstance mandatory and non-participation in this or any other camp will not have any bearing on how much and/or what position your child will play.
We always take vacation in August, will this be a problem?
Absolutely! In the past it was acceptable for a child to miss one week of practice in August without missing a beat but with the advancement of the game and cheer routines it is vital that he/she attend every regularly scheduled practice. We understand the commitment and sacrifice your family has to make but what your child will learn and achieve rest on prompt and consistent attendance. August is when fundamental instruction takes place and each athlete must put in mandatory conditioning hours before they may advance to the next stage of instruction. We have found that most boys and girls who miss at least one week of practice in August find it difficult to catch up in time for the first game of the season.
When and where are practices and games?
Mandatory practice begins this year (2021) for all players and cheerleaders on Monday August 2nd. All our teams will practice at West Wind Park in Ontario - Monday through Friday. Times will be from 5:45 PM and 8:15 PM. throughout the month of August up to Labor Day Weekend. After Labor Day, practice will be at Bon View Park. Teams will practice three times a week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays the times will be from 5:45 PM to 8:15 PM.
Games are played every Saturday beginning in either late August or on Labor Day weekend. Game times are 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. Our home games are currently played at Ontario Motor Speedway Park. Normally each team will play three to four home games and/or three to four away games. Away games could be at any of the fourteen cities within our conference. Game schedules are issued by Mt. Baldy Football Conference and normally are not issued until the week prior to the first game of the season.
How many games are there?
Each team will usually have two scrimmages, seven to eight regular season games and one bowl game guaranteed for a total of eleven games. Teams that make the playoffs can play up to six additional games and those that are eligible may play in a travel bowl game. That's eleven to seventeen games possible per season.
What equipment will I need to provide for my child?
You will need to provide football cleats, athletic supporter, and mouth piece for players, all of which can be purchased at your local sporting goods store. Socks, shoes and bloomers (undergarment worn under cheer uniform) for cheerleaders. Our cheer director will give out information on where to purchase these items. Ontario Pop Warner will provide all the necessary equipment needed to safely play the sport of football. All of the equipment we issue to our players is NOCSAE approved and is inspected, reconditioned and recertified or replaced every year. Players are provided on a loan only basis helmet, shoulder pads, hip, tail, thigh, and knee pads. Practice pants and jersey, game pants and jersey, practice and game belt and game socks. Cheerleaders will receive on a loan basis the use of a cheer uniform and pom poms.
How do I determine what team my child will placed on and can I request a certain team?
The division/team your child will be placed on is dependent upon his/her age and/or weight as of July 31st. Player placement is left to the discretion of the Association President and Certification Chairperson only, request for player placement by a parent or coach will not be considered or accepted. Cheerleaders will be placed on teams according to their age only. It is the policy of Ontario Pop Warner that a player be placed in the lowest division for which they are eligible as long as there is roster space available. Below is the Mt. Baldy Football Conference weight/age chart:
(Tiny Mites) ages 5 and 6, 35 to 75 lbs.
(Mitey Mites) ages 7-8-9, 50 to 100 lbs.
(Junior Pee Wees) ages 8-9-10, 65 to 115 lbs. or 11*, 65 to 95 lbs.
(Pee Wees) ages 9-10-11,80 to 130 lbs. or 12*, 80 to 110 lbs.
(Junior Varsity) ages 10-11-12, 95 to 155 lbs. or 13*, 95 to 135lbs
(14u) ages 12-13-14, Unlimited weight
*qualified older/lighter participant
Players will be allowed to gain one pound every other week after the first game.
Are there tryouts or cuts?
No, we accept the first thirty five players per division who complete their registration regardless of their playing experience and ability (barring any medical reason which may prohibit participation) We will not cut a player in order to make room for another.
Is my child guaranteed playing time?
Mt. Baldy conference will play under the National Rules Sliding Scale Mandatory Play Rule. The sliding scale is as followed:
16-25 eligible players 10 plays minimum
26-30 eligible players 8 plays minimum
31-35 eligible players 6 plays minimum
The Tiny Mite and Mitey Mite Division sliding scale is as followed:
16-25 eligible players 10 plays minimum
26-35 eligible players 8 plays minimum
Eligible players are those that will play in that week’s games excluding injured, suspended, or disciplined players.
Kick Offs, Kick off Returns; Penalties and Extra Point Attempts do not count towards the minimum play rule. Every one of our coaches has been instructed regarding the minimum play rule and must comply or face possible suspension or removal from the Association.
What if our plans change, can we get a refund?
It is the policy of Ontario Pop Warner that no refund, full or partial, be given. From time to time the Board of Directors will consider refunds under certain conditions. These are heard by the Board on a case by case basis.