CONDUCT NOTICE
Thank you for your interest in our program. Pop Warner is a wonderful youth, athletic program with an emphasis on fundamentals, teamwork, sportsmanship, and academic excellence. Before you consider registering a child for participation you need to be aware of this league’s policy regarding inappropriate behavior and conduct by adults. Although this league enforces very strict guidelines for appropriate conduct by its players and volunteers; it’s become necessary to do the same for non-volunteering adults attending any league function, including practices.
The volunteers, including coaches, Board members, team coordinators, medical staff, referees, and others, are always striving to provide players with a positive learning environment.
Any unruly behavior, verbal abuse, physical abuse, physical contact of any kind, emotional abuse, obscene language, threats, and/or intimidation by a parent/guardian or spectator is not tolerated. There will be no warnings. If this occurs, you will be required to immediately leave the premises. Authorities will be contacted without hesitation for failure to comply. Such behavior will result in a minimum penalty of a season-long ban from attending any league function. Permanent bans are possible if circumstances warrant such action.
Be aware also, that all Pop Warner coaches are carefully screened and selected by the league. They have agreed to undergo background checks, submit references, participate in a mandatory clinic and rules meetings, and devote countless hours of their time to help in the personal growth and development of the children. They agree to uphold strict standards and a code of conduct. Should you feel a need to offer an opinion to a coach for any reason, then it is expected that you will find the appropriate time and place to do so. Ranting and raving on the sideline, at a practice, etc. will not be tolerated and subject to the aforementioned penalty. If you wish to coach, then apply to be considered. If not, then respect those that have made the commitment and the decisions they make.
Any formal complaints about a league official must be submitted to the league office in writing. Confidentiality will be honored upon request. If you choose to file a complaint, then please do so as soon as possible after making this decision. It does no good to wait until a season is over when no course of action, if warranted, can be taken by the league.
Finally, under NO circumstances, does the league investigate or overturn the officials rulings made during the course of a game. Referees decisions are final. Any player penalized with a second unsportsmanlike foul during a single game will be ejected from that game and suspended from the next scheduled game. Additional action may be taken at the league’s discretion.
Code of Conduct
Pop Warner Rule Book
MEMBERS CODE OF CONDUCT
All Pop Warner volunteers and participants will abide by a Code of Conduct which includes the following provisions. If any of these rules are broken, the League, Region and/or National Pop Warner shall have the authority to impose a penalty including permanent removal from the program.
Members shall:
S1: Not smoke and/or use smokeless tobacco on the field.
S2: Not criticize players/spirit participants in front of spectators, but reserve constructive criticism for later, in private, or in the presence of team members if others might benefit.
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.
S4: Not criticize an opposing team, its players, spirit participants, coaches, or fans by word of mouth or by gesture.
S5: Emphasize that good athletes strive to be good students and that both are physically and mentally alert.
S6: Strive to make every football and spirit activity serve as a training ground for life, and a basis for good mental and physical health.
S7: Emphasize that winning is the result of good teamwork.
S8: Not engage in excessive sideline coaching and shall not leave the bench area to shout instructions from the sidelines.
S9: Together with team officials, be jointly responsible for the conduct and control of team fans and spectators at all times. Any fan who becomes a nuisance and out of control will be asked to leave.
S10: Not use abusive or profane language at any time.
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 players play.
S12: Not receive any payment, in cash or kind, for services as a volunteer or participant in Pop Warner Football/Spirit. This includes any coach, expert, consultant or choreographer, regardless of his/her roster status.
S13: Not permit or encourage “sweating down” tactics in order for a player to make the team weight.
S14: Not recommend or distribute any medication, controlled or over the counter, except as specifically prescribed by participant’s physician.
S15: Not permit an ineligible player or spirit participant to participate in a game.
S16: Not deliberately incite unsportsmanlike conduct.
S17: Not possess or drink alcoholic beverages and/or use illegal substance(s) on either the game or practice fields.
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.
S19: Uphold all rules and regulations, National, Regional & Local, regarding Pop Warner Football, Cheerleading and Dance.
S20: Refrain from engaging in any action within or outside Pop Warner which in PWLS sole & absolute discretion reflects negatively upon, or causes embarrassment to, the PW program