Pop Warner Coaches
Education
Coaches Education Training
Unit 1: Clinic Introduction/PWLS Overview
Unit 2: Risk Management
Unit 3: Pop Warner Forms, Championships &
Scholastics
Unit 4: Coach-Athlete Communication
Why Children Play Youth Sports
Coach & Parent Behavior
Coaches Code of Conduct
Closing Remarks-PWLS Coaches’ Education Test
First Question???
• Is this for Cheer or Football??
• It is for both.
• What will now be known as “The Coaches Education
Training” is for all Administrators, Commissioners,
Coordinators, Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches,
and anyone else working with your children in Pop
Warner today.
– Consistent training between coaches and commissioners
– Coaches are responsible for managing the team/squad
– Commissioners are responsible for administrating the game
and rules.
– EVERYONE is responsible for following the rules!
UNIT ONE:
POP WARNER OVERVIEW
Unit 1: Pop Warner Overview
• Brief History of Pop Warner
• Goals/Philosophy
• Pop Warner Structure
– National, Regional, League, & Association
•
•
•
•
Authority/Powers of the Region
Authority/Powers of the League
Association Responsibilities
Protests/Complaints
Pop Warner is…
• The largest and oldest national youth football and
cheerleading program.
• Endorsed by the NFL and the NFL Players Association.
• The only youth sports program to emphasize education.
• Pop Warner DEMANDS THAT ALL PARTICIPANTS BE
ACADEMICALLY FIT AS WELL AS PHYSICALLY FIT.
– Pop Warner recognizes and awards scholar-athletes for
their performance in the classroom.
– Awards include scholarships to the top award winners.
POP WARNER HISTORY
• FROM THE BEGINNING,
THE PROGRAM WAS
BASED ON A
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
SCHOLASTICS AND
ATHLETICS.
POP WARNER HISTORY
• GLEN SCOBIE (POP) WARNER, FAMED
COLLEGE COACH OF THE 1920’S, GAVE
PERMISSION FOR THE PROGRAM TO BE
NAMED AFTER HIM.
THIS OCCURRED AFTER
HE WAS THE ONLY COACH
INVITED TO TEACH A
CLINIC THAT ACTUALLY
SHOWED UP.
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
POP WARNER
• NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
– Langhorne, PA.
• WORLD WIDE PARTICIPATION
– United States
Russia
– Guam
Germany
– Japan
Canada
– Mexico
Scotland
OVER 370,000 REGISTERED
PARTICIPANTS.
PWLS GOALS & PHILOSOPHY
• Academics and athletics go
hand in hand.
• Development of well
rounded young men and
women.
• Teach fundamentals of
Football and Cheerleading.
• Stress the importance of
Education.
GOALS & PHILOSOPHY
• Provide an atmosphere
conducive to development
of sound mind, body, and
character.
• Stresses the importance of
making this a fun
experience.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES
• Inspire youth regardless of race,
creed, religion or national origin.
• Practice ideals of fellowship,
sportsmanship, scholastics,and
physical fitness.
• Teach lessons of value in selfdiscipline, teamwork, concentration,
friendship, leadership, and
sportsmanship.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES
• Provide all an opportunity to
participate in an organized
environment that places
emphasis on maximum safety
and participation.
• Provide a safe environment
that is structured of all
participants.
POP WARNER STRUCTURE
• National Pop Warner
• Regional Pop Warner
(example: Eastern)
• League/Conference
(example: Rockland
County)
• Association
(example: Suffern)
• Team (Division Pee Wee)
Pop Warner Little Scholars
National Staff
Jon Butler
Executive Director
Mary Fitzgerald
COO
Sam Mutz
Football Commissioner
Beth Dietz
Events Coordinator
Lisa Moroski
Cheer/Dance Commissioner
Phyllis Farruggio
Office Manager
Josh Pruce
Scholastics Director
Trevor Scholl
Recruiting and Marketing
Pop Warner Little Scholars
Eight Regions
National
Pop Warner
New England
Eastern
Mid-America
Southwest
Mid-South
Southeast
Wescon
Pacific
Northwest
National Authority
• Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. (PWLS)
–
–
–
–
–
Parent Organization
Provide the National structure for the organization
PWLS has final authority over all rule changes
Administer the All-American Scholastic Program.
Operate the National Championships for Football,
Cheer and Dance.
– License vendors for Pop Warner logo merchandise
Eastern Region Management Team Structure
Larry Hahn
Tom LeCompte
Tom Barone
Debby Marshall
Jack Fuller
Neville Clothier
Mike Parrow
Dave Sanders
Vendor Liaison
Sgt-At-Arms
Treasurer
Cheer Commissioner
Secretary
Challenger Division
Bowl Game Commissioner
Dave Marshall
Region Director
Communications
FOOTBALL COMMITTEE
Bill Lynch
James McDaniel
Boyd Woodhams
Craig Karahuta
John Wells
Jim Misiaszek
Harry Harrington
Cindy Machan
Avie Sanders
Vice Region Director
CHEER COMMITTEE
RCDC
Scholastics Coordinator
Neville Clothier
Lisa Dupell
Kerry Lorenca
Michelle Keller
Janet Wojcik
Melissa Westcott
Peggy Custode
REGION AUTHORITY
• The Region is an extension of Pop Warner
Little Scholars.
• Oversees the business/operation of the
Region.
• Enforces policies.
• Conducts hearings and accepts appeals.
• Disciplines when necessary.
• Certifies teams for National competition.
League (Conference) Structure
League Board
President, Commissioner, Spirit Coor. Scholastic
Coor. Secretary, Treasurer, etc.
Association 1
Association 2
Association 3
Association Etc.
(Association Board)
(Association Board)
(Association Board)
(Association Board)
Midget
Midget
Midget
Midget
Jr. Midget
Jr. Midget
Jr. Midget
Jr. Midget
PeeWee
PeeWee
PeeWee
PeeWee
Jr. PeeWee
Jr. PeeWee
Jr. PeeWee
Jr. PeeWee
Mitey Mite
Mitey Mite
Mitey Mite
Mitey Mite
Tiny Mite
Tiny Mite
Tiny Mite
Tiny Mite
Flag
Flag
Flag
Flag
Rockland County Pop Warner
Board of Directors
Frank Pipolo
President
Pierre Davis
Vice President
Bill Cade
Commissioner
Helen Rendos
Cheerleading
Director
Jean Turco
Treasurer
Donna Principe
Secretary
Ralph Tana
Director
Communications
Larry Alston
Director Mitey-Mites
Bob DeRosa
Director Flag
Adam Gullo
Director, JR PW
21
LEAGUE
POWERS & AUTHORITY
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Enforce National & Local rules.
Establish Association Boundaries.
Select Membership.
Training of it’s members.
Police powers/hearings & appeals.
Discipline members (adult & juvenile).
Summary Dismissal Authority
Association /
Neighborhood Program
*FOOTBALL
*CHEER/DANCE
*SCHOLASTICS
Rockland County Pop Warner
Associations
10 Associations
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
New Jersey Giant
Eastchester Blue Devils
Monroe Crusaders
New City Rams
New Rochelle
North Rockland Red Raiders
Orangetown Patriots
Ramapo/Spring Valley Hornets
Suffern Midget Mounties
Valley Cottage Indians
24
ASSOCIATION BOARD
• Personnel should include
– President
– Vice President
– Secretary
– Treasurer
– Football Commissioner
– Cheerleading Coordinator
– Scholastic Coordinator
(Minimum)
ASSOCIATION BOARD
• Personnel may also include:
– Registrar
– Fund Raising Chairman
– Concession Stand Manager
– Equipment Manager
– Weigh Master
• Whatever you think would help your
Association run very efficiently.
ASSOCIATION
RESPONSIBILITIES
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Fund raising
Buy equipment
Recruit coaches
Secure field
Liabilities
Insurance
Registration
ASSOCIATION
RESPONSIBILITIES
•
•
•
•
•
Enforce National & Local rules.
Write & Maintain Association by-laws
Keep Financial Records & Accounting Data
Police - Boundaries/Members.
Hold Hearings & Appeals.
– Discipline members (adult/juvenile).
– Set Grievance Procedures
• Work together enforcing league policy and rules.
ASSOCIATION
KEYS TO SUCCESS
• The representatives of your association should
attend a monthly meeting to receive information
so that your association will be well informed
and prepared for your season of football and
cheer/dance.
• Failure by your representatives to attend will
create an uninformed association.
ASSOCIATION KEYS TO
SUCCESS
• Background Checks: Some type of
background check will be done on all
volunteers and administrative personnel.
• Discretion should be top priority on
information received.
• One affidavit per association
should be forwarded to the League.
• League to National.
Importance of Background Checks
• Sports Illustrated article from Sept., 1999
•
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/cover/news/2000/04/14/nack_nightmare/coverlarge.html
KEYS TO SUCCESS
• To be a successful league and association it is
important that your league and your association
work hand in hand with open communications
and a clear direction.
• It is imperative that your board accept
responsibilities when it comes to informing your
coaches and members, plus discipline when
needed.
• Please ask questions if you do not understand.
The Squad
• Squad Staff
– Association Cheer Coordinator
– Head Coach
– Assistant Coaches
– Coach Trainee
– Team Parent
– Equipment Manager
– Jr. Trainer
– Student Demonstrators
Squad Staff
• A total of nine (9) staff positions
– 1 Head Coach (21 or older) and 4 Assistant
Coaches (18 or older)
• Ratio of children to coaches (12:1) at all events
(practice, game, competition)
– Maximum of 3 Coach-Trainees (16 – 17 years
of age) and a maximum of 4 Student
Demonstrators (15 – 17 years of age)
• Maximum of 4 Student Demonstrators and Coach
Trainees Combined.
34
Coach-Trainees and
Student Demonstrators
• Certified like a spirit participant
(BC, physical, parental approval, scholastic
fitness, etc.)
• Must be at least 2 years older than the oldest
child on the squad
• Must have at least 2 years of prior Cheer/Dance
experience.
• Student Demonstrators Demonstrate!
No hands-on coaching, may only demonstrate
moves and teach words to cheers.
35
Formation of Squads
• Squad structure
– Small squad (6 – 20)
– Large squad (21 – 35)
• Up to 3 squads for each football team may
exist
36
Squad without Football Team
• Any cheer or dance squad w/o football team
– Must be age eligible
– Must be associated with ONE football team
(different level) and participate at game
weekly
– May compete League/Region/National
– May be large or small
37
Team Authority
• Enforce National, Regional & Local rules
and procedures.
• Train Participants
• Discipline Participants (Limited Authority).
COACHES COMMITMENT
• It is the Volunteer’s responsibility to
support the goals and philosophy of the
Pop Warner program. Please work with
your local associations in supporting and
making your League and National Pop
Warner the best youth program in the
country.
PROTESTS/COMPLAINTS
• Only Protests involving the eligibility of a
participant shall be considered.
• Complaints or Grievances may be filed on all
other concerns that may arise during the
season.
• Both protests and complaints must be filed in a
timely fashion.
UNIT 2:
RISK MANAGEMENT
RISK MANAGEMENT
DEFINITION
• Directing or controlling the interests and
performance of your program by teaching,
guiding, and inspiring others to provide a
safe and healthy experience for its
participants.
Risk Management
• Lawsuits are more and more common.
• How many newspaper stories have appeared
lately regarding lawsuits and youth sports?
Risk Management
• "Father sues team for not naming son MVP"
AP/ESPN, Nov. 7, 2002
"A Canadian father is suing the Amateur Hockey Association after his 16-year-old son
failed to win the league's most valuable player award. The dad is seeking about
$200,000 in psychological and punitive damages from the association.
He also demands that the MVP trophy be taken from the winner and given to his son.
• "Parents suing youth football league".
Houston Chronicle, August 28 -Texas: "Parents of a fifth-grade boy asked the courts Tuesday to throw a yellow penalty
flag on the Youth Football league over a rule change…. that switched players to
different teams after practice started. In a lawsuit filed Tuesday, an attorney sued the
Youth Football league on behalf of his son. The boy had played with his grade-level
team before being switched because of age to a junior high-level group with
"significantly larger" players. The parents are asking a judge to order the league to
revert to rules in place when children registered in May." (Jo Ann Zuniga, Aug. 20).
Risk Management
• “Settlement ends paralyzed boy's lawsuit:
$2 million deal reached over soccer field
injury”
“A Waukesha, Wisconsin County Circuit Judge ordered the
approval of the settlement between the parents of an 11-yearold youth soccer player, and the insurance companies…”
“The top bar of a goalpost tipped over and struck the boy on
the head and shoulders when his teammates … were
attempting to move the soccer goal by pushing it from behind.”
By Linda Spice, Journal Sentinel staff, Last Updated: Nov. 24, 1999
Risk Management
• “Losing Season Prompts Dad to Sue Son's Coach."
This is NOT a joke.
After a dismal season, a baseball coach was sued in small-claims
court for being a lousy coach.
The father of the 16-year-old catcher demanded $2,000, "the estimated
value of a seven-day Florida trip the team could have made, had it not lost
every game. Most by a 10-run mercy rule." He claimed the team played so
poorly that his son lost out.
Source: “Parents take sportsmanship out of kids' sports "
Jewish World Review Dr. Laura, March 1, 2000 /24 Adar I, 5760
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• “Lawsuit Clouds Play At PONY Tournament”
Sports Headline from the Tampa Tribune Published on August 5, 2003
RISK MANAGEMENT
• The majority of litigation dealing with
coaches involves negligence.
• Negligence: Defined as the failure to use
reasonable and prudent care in a situation
that may cause harm to someone or
something.
Risk Management
• IN THE SUPREME COURT OF CALIFORNIA
8/28/03
Plaintiff vs - EAST SIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL
“Coaches could be legally
liable for injuries sustained
by young athletes under
their control, …”
Reported by DAVID KRAVETS, AP Legal Affairs Writer
RISK MANAGEMENT
One key component of being a responsible coach is to learn the
Pop Warner rules and the expectations set by your local board.
• Official Rule Book: Know and
understand the rules of Pop
Warner.
• League Rules & Procedures:
Make sure that you understand
your responsibilities and that you
carry out the expectations of
your board.
TOP DUTIES OF A COACH
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
Properly plan the activity.
Provide appropriate supervision.
Provide proper instruction.
Provide adequate and safe equipment.
Evaluate for injury or incapacity.
Provide safe physical environment.
Match athletes appropriately
Warn of inherent dangers
Initiate medical response.
B-Properly plan the activity
• Plans must be reasonable, well thought
out, based on past experience with the
athletes’ readiness in mind.
• All plans should be reviewed continuously
and kept for the record.
• Finally, plans should contain properly
written performance objectives and
documented logical sequences and
progression for learning the skill.
RISK MANAGEMENT
• As a coach, it is your responsibility to plan your practices. “A
cup of quality outweighs a quart of quantity”
• Complete a Practice Plan Form, which should include the
activity and skills that will be reviewed and talked about
during your practice sessions.
• Identify the amount of minutes you will spend on each
activity and skill.
• At the start and end of each practice, evaluate and make
comments on your Practice Plan Form.
• Identifying any injuries or major concerns.
Risk Management
We don’t plan
to fail;
We fail to plan.
Warm-up and Cool down
• A proper warm-up and cool-down helps
athletes train and compete without being
injured.
• Guidelines for Warm-up/Cool down
• Guidelines for Warm-up/Cool down are found in
the Pop Warner Coaches Risk Management
Manual as well as the Pop Warner Rule Book.
They include –
– Minimum 10 minute warm-up before and 10 minute
cool down after practices and games
– No more than 30 minutes of warm-up before games
and competitions
TRAINING
Training methods and type, frequency,
duration, and intensity of practices should
vary among athletes, depending on the
athlete’s age, physical conditioning, mental
state, and training goals. The purpose of
training is to prepare for competition.
Training is not to be used as a disciplinary
activity, unsupervised play, or competition
itself.
Guidelines for Training –
1. Recommend that training begin before the season starts so
athletes are in good condition for the first day of practice.
Injuries are more likely when poorly conditioned athletes
over-train early in the season.
2. Pay attention to ensure that training balances fitness and
skill development in all training sessions.
3. Ensure that training intensity increases gradually.
4. Teach athletes to be aware of their training levels.
5. Note athletes to be aware of their training levels.
6. In warmer, more humid climates, modify training to prevent
heat-related emergencies.
Guidelines for Training –
7. Coaches should insure sufficient water breaks and
encourage the athletes to drink water.
8. If supplied by the team/squad or by the practice facility,
the water should be healthful and potable.
9. Water delivery systems should be designed to prevent
the spread of any infection and/or contagious disease.
C-PROVIDE APPROPRIATE
SUPERVISION
• General supervision is the oversight of all area
and events taking place during the session,
whether training or competition.
• Specific supervision is the oversight of specific
elements or skills being performed.
• Coaches should avoid any situation where a
single coach is alone with one or more minors
(always have 2 or more coaches)
Risk Management
Never be alone with an athlete or let a
colleague be alone with an athlete:
Example from the headlines:
Soccer clubs, coaches sued over sexual abuse of girl
“The parents of a girl who was sexually abused by her
soccer coach in 2003 are suing the former coach, three
local soccer clubs and three other coaches for
negligence.”
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Published 4/7/2005
D-Provide Proper Instruction
•Follow the accepted practices for teaching sport specific.
•Follow the drills and other methods that are considered
standard for the sport.
•Maintain familiarity with trends in the sport.
•Provide instructions that focus on the more hazardous areas of
a particular sport and/or techniques that are counterintuitive such as certain blocking/tackling techniques and
stunts.
•Be familiar with the venue surroundings and instruct athletes to
do the same.
•Maintain records of instruction and training.
Provide Proper Instruction
1. Introduce the Skill
Athletes, especially young and inexperienced ones, need to
understand what skill they are learning and why it is important.
Coaches should take the following steps into consideration
when teaching a new skill:
-Ensure that you have the athlete’s attention.
-Name the new skill.
-Explain the importance of the skill in detail
Provide Proper Instruction
2. Demonstrate the Skill
The demonstration step is the most important part of teaching
the skill to young athletes since they often have never done
anything similar to it. They need to see how the skill is properly
performed. If you are unable to perform the skill correctly, have
an assistant coach or someone skilled perform the
demonstration. Your demonstrations will be more effective if
you:
-Use correct form.
-Demonstrate the skill several times.
-Slow down the skill, if possible, during one or two
performances so athletes can see every movement
involved.
-Demonstrate the skill from both the left and right sides, as
well as from different angles.
Provide Proper Instruction
3. Explain the Skill
Athletes are able to comprehend more complex skills when they are
broken down and explained in more manageable parts. Coaches
should break down new skills into the following parts:
-Show athletes the entire skill correctly and explain the function
in the sport.
-Break down the skill and point out its component parts to the
team.
-Require the athletes to perform each of the component skills.
-Re-explain the entire skill, after the athletes have
demonstrated their ability to perform the separate parts
of the skill in sequence.
-Have athletes practice the skill.
Provide Proper Instruction
4. Pay Attention to Athletes Practicing the Skill
Some athletes may need to be physically guided through the
movements during their first few attempts. Once your athletes
have demonstrated that they understand how to perform the skill,
a significant part of coaching will involve closely observing the
performances of your athletes.
As you observe athletes’ efforts in practices and competitions, it is
important to:
-Point out what the athlete did correctly.
-Let the athlete know what was done incorrectly and provide
instruction on how to correct it.
-Offer positive, corrective feedback.
-Document progression.
RISK MANAGEMENT
• The number one law suit for youth sports
is teaching improper technique.
• As a coach it is your responsibility to
improve your coaching skills by taking
classes, reading books, going to clinics, or
reviewing tapes that will allow you to give
proper instructions on technique.
• As a coach, do not attempt to teach skills
that YOU DO NOT know or understand.
E- Provide Adequate and Safe
Equipment
• Equipment should
be fitted properly.
• Inspected daily and
maintained at all
times.
SAFE EQUIPMENT
The coach is responsible for:
• Determining what equipment will be used
in training and competing.
• Selecting appropriate equipment.
• Making the equipment available.
• Overseeing the use of equipment.
• Knowing the procedures for inspecting
athletes’ equipment.
Never modify equipment!
F- Evaluate for Injury and
Incapacity
• Coaches have a duty to evaluate the
physical fitness, the mental condition and
the skill level of athletes.
• Coaches must be able to accurately
identify other conditions that must be
attended to in a timely manner.
• Forcing athletes to participate is not an
acceptable behavior.
EVALUATE
• Prevention: Coaches should incorporate
methods for preventing injuries in their coaching
programs including pre-participation screening,
strength training, conditioning and awareness of
the nature, cause, and mechanisms of sport
specific injuries.
• Recognition and Treatment: Once the coach
realizes that an injury has occurred, the
magnitude must be assessed and appropriate
care initiated.
G- Provide Safe Physical
Environment
• Inspection of a practice or competition facility for
safety hazards is the responsibility of the coach.
Therefore, facilities need to be inspected daily
before permitting your athletes to participate in
practices or contests.
• Field Preparation: Check the condition of field,
Look for pending Dangers, Proper identification
of restricted areas, Security provided when
appropriate. Report any unsafe conditions
Transportation
Transportation of Participants:
• Proper transportation of
participants is a must.
• Adult licensed individual.
• Vehicles should have seat
belts, no open pick-up
trucks.
• Vehicles should be in proper
working order (good/safe
condition).
RISK MANAGEMENT
LIGHTNING AND WEATHER
INCLEMENT WEATHER
• Monitoring weather condition is the
responsibility of the game official,
Coaches, Association and League
administrators.
• Discuss the procedures you will follow if
inclement weather becomes a issue.
RISK MANAGEMENT
• In the continental United States
1000 people are hit by lightning
each year. One hundred of those
are fatalities.
• Take precautionary measures if lightning
is approaching your practice area or game
site.
• Safety is the number one priority.
H – Match Athletes Appropriately
• Coaches must be sure their participants
are not at a serious disadvantage by
improperly matching them for practices or
competition.
• Skill, experience, height, weight, age,
injuries, maturity, mental state and gender
ALL must be considered in matching
participants.
I- Warn of Inherent Risks
• Coaches must warn athletes of the risks of the
skill, drill, or game.
• Participants need to be informed of the risks in
using improper, dangerous and unethical
techniques.
Inherent Risks
• Meet with the parents of your athletes and
explain the Dangers of Playing Football
and Cheer/Dance.
• Review “Article 6” in Pop Warner Book.
RISK MANAGEMENT
Article 6
• Football participants or Cheerleaders
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Informed Parental consent
Medical examination
Proof of age
Scholastic
ID card with picture
Waivers
Accurate/Completed official rosters
• All in a TEAM I.D. book. With you at all times
PARENT ORIENTATION
• Parents’ Meeting – Proposed Agenda:
1-Meet the coaching staff.
2-Talk about team mission.
3-Objectives and Goals for season.
4-Expectation of Team/ Squad.
5-Expectation of Parents
6-Logistics
7-Team Functioning
8-Question and Answer period
J- INITIATE MEDICAL
RESPONSE
•
•
•
•
•
Provide Appropriate Emergency Assistance.
Check the scene for safety.
Check the injured athlete and protect from
further harm, following universal precautions
when appropriate.
DO NOT MOVE THE ATHLETE
Activate your “Emergency Action Plan”
Care for the injured athlete until EMS Arrive
INITIATE MEDICAL RESPONSE
• Plan: Work together with your local EMT’s
to establish an Emergency Action Plan
that will fit your specific area and needs.
• Plan should include informing visiting team
of medical staff available, emergency
numbers, directions to emergency medical
facilities.
• Have someone identified as a contact
person at the home field.
RISK MANAGEMENT
• Mandated insurance: Is required for all
associations who are members of Pop
Warner. This will provide protection for
practice fields, game fields, fund raisings,
volunteers and drivers.
• Coaches Training: All coaches MUST be
trained through the Little Scholars training
Program.
RISK MANAGEMENT
• Warm Weather Precautions:
– Discipline of participants
– Scheduling of practice
– Provide plenty of water
– Mandatory breaks
• Be aware what will cause heat cramps,
heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Risk Management
SUMMARY
• Common Sense
• Reasonable and Prudent Care
• Preventive Maintenance
• Do The Right Thing!
BREAK TIME
Unit 3: Pop Warner Forms & Championships (all
available at www.popwarner.com)
Forms
• All American Scholar Form
• Absentee Form
(See National Pop Warner Site)
87
Cheer Eligibility Clarification
• Participants may individually enroll in nonPop Warner affiliated instructional classes.
However, a participant may not be
officially enrolled in another competitive
cheer or dance squad that is not a High
School affiliated “winter sport” program.
Junior High, Elementary, All-Star and
other Recreational cheer and dance
squad participation is not permitted
during the Pop Warner Season.
88
UNIT 4
COACH-ATHLETE COMMUNICATION
– BEING A GOOD TEACHER OF THE GAME
&
WHY CHILDREN PLAY YOUTH SPORTS
Positive Coaching
Techniques
Coach-Athlete Communication
Effective Communication
• Get to know your
participants
• Communicate that you care
• Let them know that they
matter to you
Coach-Athlete Communication
Giving Effective Feedback
1. Catch athletes doing things correctly.
2. Be Specific & Concise.
3. Focus on Strengths more than Weaknesses.
4. Give feedback promptly – Immediately.
5. Be sincere when giving praise.
6. Reward Improvements – Not Perfection.
7. Reward Effort as well as Outcome.
8. Avoid being insulting and negative.
WHY CHILDREN PLAY
YOUTH SPORTS
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Activity
WHY CHILDREN PLAY YOUTH SPORTS
THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THINGS
IN PERSPECTIVE
WHY CHILDREN PLAY SPORTS
SURVEY SAYS…
TOP 5 REASONS WHY YOUTH SAY THAT
THEY PLAY SPORTS
******************************************
1. Have FUN!!!
2. Be on Team – Be with Friends
3. Learn New Skills
4. The Excitement of Competition
5. Get in Shape
WHY CHILDREN PLAY SPORTS
Top 5 Reasons
Why Youth Drop Out of Sports
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lost interest (boring.)
I was not having fun.
It took too much time.
Coach was a poor teacher
(always hollering.)
5. Too much pressure (worrying
about the coach getting mad.)
WHY CHILDREN PLAY SPORTS
How to Keep Young Athletes Involved
in Football & Cheerleading
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Emphasize Learning New Skills
and Improving Existing Ones.
Have Fun.
Maintain a Safe Environment.
Challenge Athletes with Physical Exercises in a
Creative Way.
Give participants a Sense of Belonging to a Team
THE CONCERN
Pop Warner has been
increasingly concerned
about the numbers of
incidents of parental
violence and misbehavior
of coaches. As a member
it is your responsibility to
change this trend and
harness the energy for a
more positive result.
Coach & Parent Behavior
• The news papers and TV
are full of stories about
youth coaches and
parents ruining youth
sports for the kids.
COACH/PARENTAL BEHAVIOR
What about the parent who:
• Uses Verbal Abuse
• Attempts to Intimidate
• Is Flagrantly Rude
• Cannot Control Their
Language or Actions
Should This Individual Be Removed From Pop Warner?
What if it was a…
(A Board Member, Coach, Football Player, or Cheerleader)
COACH/PARENTAL BEHAVIOR
• Does a coach have the right to be
belligerent?
• Does a winning coach have the right to be
treated differently than a coach who does
not have a good season?
• If a coach physically abuses an official,
administrator, or any Pop Warner
volunteer, what should happen to him/her?
COACH/PARENTAL BEHAVIOR
• As a Coach it is your responsibility to control
these types of behaviors.
• Your League, as the governing body, will assist
your Association in dealing with problem
behaviors and disruptive individuals .
• Your League, along with your Association,
MUST have a zero tolerance for aggressive,
disruptive, and disrespectful behavior.
COACHES BEHAVIOR
Leadership
• Lead by example.
• To be a good leader, you must
be a good follower.
COACHES BEHAVIOR
•
•
•
•
•
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MANDATED PENALTIES
ADULT OFFENSES
Run-up Score
Endangerment of Juveniles
Teaching Prohibited Techniques
Fighting/Cheating/Threatening/Gambling
Lack of Cooperation/Obstruction
Violation of Mandatory Play
Falsification of Official Documentation
Alcohol
Illegal Practices
Negative Attitude
Unit 9
PWLS Coaches Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct
• S1: Not smoke and or use smokeless tobacco on the field.
Code of Conduct
• S2: Not criticize players/cheerleaders in front of
spectators, but reserve constructive criticism for
later, in private, or in the presence of team/squad
members if others might benefit.
Code of Conduct
• S3: Accept decisions of the game officials and
judges on the field and in competitions as being
fair and called to the best ability of said officials.
Code of Conduct
• S4: Not criticize an opposing team, its participants,
coaches, cheerleaders or fans by word of mouth or
by gesture.
Code of Conduct
• S5: Emphasize that good athletes strive to be good
students and that both are physically and mentally
alert.
Code of Conduct
• S6: Strive to make every football/ cheerleading
activity serve as a training ground for life, and a
basis for good mental and physical health.
Code of Conduct
• S7: Emphasize that winning
is the result of good
“teamwork.”
Code of Conduct
• S8: Not engage in excessive sideline coaching and
shall not leave the bench area to shout instructions
from the sideline.
Code of Conduct
• S9: Together with team officials, be jointly
responsible for the conduct and control of team
fans and spectators. Any fan who becomes a
nuisance and out of control will be asked to leave.
Code of Conduct
• S10: Not use abusive
or profane language
at any time.
Code of Conduct
• S11: Not “pile it on;” not encourage their team to get a
commanding lead and raise the score as high as it can. In
these instances, every effort shall be made to let all
participants play.
Code of Conduct
• S12: Not receive any payment, in cash or kind, for
services as a coach in Pop Warner
Football/Cheerleading. This includes any coach,
expert, consultant or choreographer, regardless of
his/her roster status.
Code of Conduct
• S14: Not recommend or distribute any medication,
controlled or over the counter, except as specifically
prescribed by participant’s physician.
Code of Conduct
• S15: Not permit an ineligible player to participate in
a game.
Code of Conduct
• S16: Not deliberately incite unsportsmanlike
conduct.
Code of Conduct
• S17: Abstain from the possession and drinking of
alcoholic beverages and the possession or use of any
illegal substance on both the game and practice
fields.
Code of Conduct
• S18: Remove from a game or practice any
participant when even slightly in doubt about
his/her health, whether or not as a result of injury,
until competent medical advice is available.
Code of Conduct
• S19: Control their fans. Remember, as a team
coach, you’re responsible for your team, and fan
reaction will usually be in step with your reaction.
Code of Conduct
• S20: Uphold all rules and regulations, national and
local, regarding Pop Warner Football, Cheerleading,
and Dance.
Code of Conduct
• S21: Refrain from engaging in any action which
reflects negatively, or causes embarrassment to the
PW Program.