Weight & Age Limits
Tackle football players are placed on teams based on the Pop Warner Little Scholars age and weight requirements. The 2018 age and weight requirements for Orange Bengals Pop Warner:
Division Ages Weight Older/Lighter
Flag 5-6-7 No weight limit
Tiny Mite 5-6-7 yrs. 35-75 lbs. Older/Lighter None
Mitey Mite 7-8-9 yrs. 45-100 lbs. Older/Lighter None
Jr. Pee Wee 8-9-10 yrs. 60-115 lbs. Older/Lighter 11 yrs.: 60-95 lbs.
Pee Wee 9-10-11 yrs. 75-130 lbs. Older/Lighter 12 yrs.: 75-110 lbs.
Jr. Varsity 10-11-12 yrs. 90-155 lbs. Older/Lighter 13 yrs.: 90-135 lbs.
The Flag, Tiny Mite, and Mitey Mite levels are non-competitive. However, these teams will conclude their season with "Bowl" games against other North Jersey Pop Warner (NJPW) associations.
Weigh-ins for Tackle Football Participants
Each tackle football player will be weighed at the beginning of the season to determine and confirm level assignment.
Players must maintain the weight requirements throughout the season for their level. Players will be weighed prior to each game. The first week of the regular season, players must weigh within the published weight range. Bi-weekly, the allowed weight will be increased by one pound. Players are weighed in their uniforms, minus their helmet. The following amounts are added to the maximum weight each week for equipment weight allowances: Tiny Mite and Mitey Mite: 7 lbs, Junior Pee and Pee Wee: 8 lbs, Junior Varsity and Varsity: 9 lbs.
Practices
The first day of practice will be August 1st. During the month of August, teams will practice Monday-Friday from 5:30pm-8:00pm. After Labor Day, practices will go down to 2 hours per day & 3 days a week.
What to Wear
Tackle football participants should wear shorts, t-shirts, helmets and cleats. Do not wear football equipment until told to by your coach. After completing 20 hours of conditioning, players will begin wearing practice uniforms and full pads.
Every participant should bring a water bottle to every practice.
Games
Regular-season games are generally scheduled to be played on Sundays, although some games will be played on Saturdays starting on or around Labor Day weekend. The regular season generally runs through October. The Flag, Tiny Mite, and Mitey Mite levels conclude their season with an inter-league "bowl" game at the end of the season.
The competitive teams Junior Pee Wee and older are eligible to compete in post-season competition based on their win/loss record. Post-season competition may include regional and national championships and/or invitational bowls which can run through Thanksgiving or into December, if a team goes on to nationals.
Coaching Opportunities:
We are always looking for qualified coaches. If you have knowledge in coaching the fundamentals and principles of football and are interested in volunteering, please send your resume with youth experience and what level you desire to coach along with a letter of what you feel to be your strengths to [email protected] Please note that it is mandated that we do a full background check. You must also attend Pop Warner and USA football coach's school along with one other coaching clinic of your choosing. Please submit letters ASAP.