GENERAL QUESTIONS:
When is registration?
Registration is usually held in early March at Unami Middle School in Chalfont and/or Lenape Middle
School in Doylestown. We try to hold it on one Saturday afternoon and one mid-week evening. We will
determine the dates by mid-February and post them on our web site. Additionally, we try to distribute
fliers (over 11,000) to every Central Bucks School District elementary student by the end of February.
CBSD has mentioned that they may change their policy to not allow non-profit youth sports programs to
distribute to our children. We also try to distribute them at local private schools (St. Jude's and
Plumstead Christian allow our fliers, OLMC does not).
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When does the season start?
The season usually starts on the first Monday of August. Pop Warner and the Bux-Mont League set a "start
date" each year that is determined by the first Monday in August. If the first Monday is "later" in August
(such as the 6th or 7th), there is a chance that practices could begin on the last Monday in July (like
the 30th or 31st).
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When are game schedules published?
Game schedules are published in early August (usually by the 2nd weekend in August). Regular season games
generally start Labor Day weekend. Please note that the last 2 weeks of the schedule (usually referred to
as "Weeks 9 and 10") are always subject to change due to he teams that enter the playoffs (at 105s, 120s
and 135s). Additionally, the league tries to make the last one or two games at all levels as balanced as
possible (if the schedule can be adjusted).
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How long are practices?
Practices generally run 90 minutes for the younger children (5-8) and 120 minutes for children ages 9-13.
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When are games held?
Regular season games usually begin on the weekend after Labor Day and continue for at least 8 weekends
depending on the level of play (i.e. Flag is usually only 8 games, tackle is 10-12 games). Games are played
on Friday nights, anytime on Saturdays and on Sunday afternoon. Each team will only play one game per
weekend.
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Will my child play in every game?
Yes! Pop Warner has "minimum play requirements" for all levels of football.
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What happens if we are going on vacation in August?
We have families every year that miss some practices in August. We understand that this may occur and can
work around a child’s absence if we know in advance and if the absences is limited to one week for a
competitive-level player (ages 10 and up) and to no more than 2 weeks for a child age 5-8. Please note that
our August practices are very similar to "school" (lot of instruction) and missing August practices can
result in your child being "behind" some of the other players (students) on the team.
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What happens if my child misses practices because he/she attends CCD?
CCD conflicts occur every year. Please inform your coach as soon as possible so he/she can try to schedule
practices accordingly.
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What happens if my child misses games or practices because he/she is playing soccer or fall baseball?
Although Pop Warner has "minimum play requirements", we are still able to sit a child for missing practices
and/or games due to other sport conflicts (i.e. soccer or Fall baseball). We strongly discourage
participating in a "second sport" during football season and your child will likely suffer from not
getting valuable playing time and experience with the team.
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How do you set your registration fees?
Registration fees are based on three primary factors:
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Why do you charge a late fee after April 1st?
Uniforms and equipment are ordered at discount prices on March 31st of every year. The late fees are
collected to offset the price increases that are incurred for ordering after April 1st.
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Why do I need to volunteer? Can I "buy my way out" of volunteering?
All families must volunteer. Due to the numerous tasks required to run our league, we do not allow families
to "buy out" their volunteer commitment. Please keep in mind that there are numerous volunteers (at least
20) who spend at least 200 hours per year volunteering their time.
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Why do you close registration and limit the number of participants?
We have a limited number of practice facilities and only one game field. We can only field a limited number
of teams due to our field constraints. In addition, we limit the number of participants on each team/squad
to enable the children to get quality instruction and fair opportunities for participation or playing time.
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Who coaches the teams?
ALL Pop Warner coaches, administrators, board members (even the web master of this site) are VOLUNTEERS.
The volunteer head coaches apply for a coaching position every year (no one has "tenure)" at the January
league meeting (2nd Wednesday in January at Unami Middle School, 8:30 PM). They are then voted upon by the
Lenape Valley Football & Cheerleading Board of Directors. Each coach, head or assistant, must receive a
majority of approval votes from the Board. The assistants are named after our March registration by the
appointed Head Coaches (and approved by the Board of Directors).
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How can I be a head coach?
If you are interested in coaching football or cheerleading and would like more information, please contact us at
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My child is 7. Should he/she participate in the tackle or flag program?
Parents of any child in football or cheerleading should base the decision regarding where to place their
child on the specific child’s athletic ability, maturity and experience participating in football or
cheerleading. We strongly encourage children to "play down" to the lowest level in which they are eligible.
A 7 year old has the choice of participating in our flag program (with mostly 5 and 6 year olds), our 70
pound tackle program (with mostly 7 year olds) or our 80 pound tackle program (with mostly 8 year olds).
A 6 year old has the choice to participate in our Flag program or our 70 pound tackle program. We encourage
children to play at a level in which they will feel successful and will gain the most benefit. Final
decisions can be made after speaking with individual coaches at our March registration.
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TACKLE FOOTBALL:
When are tackle football practices?
Tackle Football practices are Monday through Thursday nights during the month of August, and then 2 nights per
week after Labor Day. The practice times are dependent upon daylight (we only have one lighted field), coaches
availability and field availability. Practices generally run 90 to 120 minutes, depending on the age of the
children, and start times could be as early as 5:30 PM and could end as late as 9:00 PM.
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Where are practices held?
Practices are primarily held at the following locations:
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How long are tackle football games?
Tackle football games are approximately 105-120 minutes long.
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FLAG FOOTBALL:
When are flag football practices?
Flag football teams practice 2 or 3 nights per week (Monday-Thursday) in August and then 1 or 2 nights per
week after Labor Day. The practice times are dependent upon daylight, coaches availability and field availability.
Practices generally run 90 minutes long.
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How long are flag football games?
Flag football games are approximately 60 minutes long.
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Can you give me more information about becoming a flag football head coach?
The season starts on August 1st. Flag teams generally practice twice per week in August (if you have time,
it may be helpful to get a 3rd practice in during one of the weeks in August). If you get rained out on a
practice night, we strongly encourage trying to make it up. The schedule for flag practices is dependent
on the head coaches' availability (and can change from week to week). You can practice at 5:30pm, 6:00pm,
6:30pm, etc ... whatever fits your schedule. You can practice any 2 nights between Monday and Thursday. We
don't encourage weekend practices (because many families go away on Summer weekends), but they are permitted.
During the regular season (after Labor Day), practices usually drop down to one night per week and only go
through mid-October due to the loss of daylight (we only have one lighted field that the older tackle teams
use for practices). In addition to coaching practices and games, the head coach is also responsible to
attend monthly meetings (2nd Wednesday in each month around 8:30pm), a mandatory league meeting in early
August (Friday night near Perkasie or Souderton) and compile his team's "paperwork" (birth certificates,
photos, doctor's form and parent form) or assign that task to the "Team Mom/Dad". Games are scheduled on 8
weekends in September and October (possibly the first weekend of November). Our goal is to schedule the
flag games on Saturdays (morning to early afternoon). However, we also make a special effort to schedule
at least one game for each team "under the lights" on a Friday night. Due to field availability, there is
also a chance that one game could be played on a Sunday afternoon.
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CHEERLEADING:
When are cheerleading practices?
Competitive-level cheerleaders, ages 10 and up, practice 3 or 4 nights per week (Monday-Thursday) in August
and then 2 or 3 nights after Labor Day (usually 2). Non-competitive level cheerleaders, ages 5 to 9,
practice 2 or 3 nights per week in August and then 1 or 2 nights per week after Labor Day. The practice
times are dependent upon daylight, coaches availability and gym availability. The practices generally run
90 minutes to 120 minutes depending on the age of the children.
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How do you determine what age levels for the cheerleaders?
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