Pop Warner football has been around since the inception of the league in 1929 by founder Joseph J. Tomlin as a four-team conference in Northeast Philadelphia. Since then, participation has steadily increased to today’s record numbers. Over 240,000 youths participated in Pop Warner-sanctioned football programs in 2004, and those numbers are continuing to grow.
Kids compete with kids of similar age and size. Pop Warner is the ONLY youth football program (local, regional and national) that sets and enforces a strict AGE & WEIGHT MATRIX that reduces the risk and reality of injuries.
Did you know that Pop Warner football is safer than soccer? Pop Warner football has 12% fewer injuries per capita among 5-15 year olds than organized soccer in the same age range! (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, NEISS)
Ages and Weights
| Age/Weight Division | Age(s) | Certification Weight | End of Season Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiny Mite | 5-6-7 | 35-75 lbs | 79 lbs |
| Mitey Mite | 7-8-9 | 45-100 lbs | 104 lbs |
| Jr Pee Wee | 8-9-10 | 60-115 lbs | 119 lbs |
| (Older Lighter) | 11* | 60-95 lbs | 99 lbs |
| Pee Wee | 9-10-11 | 75-130 lbs | 134 lbs |
| (Older Lighter) | 12* | 75-110 lbs | 114 lbs |
| Jr Varisty | 10-11-12 | 90-155 lbs | 159 lbs |
| (Older Lighter) | 13* | 90-135 lbs | 139 lbs |
| Varsity | 12-13-14 | 105-180 lbs | 184 lbs |
| (Older Lighter) | 15* | 105-160 lbs | 164 lbs |
| Unlimited | 11-12-13-14 | minimum 105 lbs |
In-Season weekly weight 1 lb. Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 (Max. of 4 lbs.), additional 1 lb. at Super Bowl.
*The asterisked provisions in each division allow the so-called “older but lighter” player to also qualify. The last year of eligibility falls under more stringent weight restrictions, per above.
A child’s age on July 31 is his/her age for the season.
The article below is a great read on head injuries and youth football. This comes after the news of Illinois wanting to ban youth tackle football until the age of 12.
Star Tribune editorial on concussions
