STARTING OBJECTIVE
SPORTSMANSHIP - FAIR PLAY - TEAM WORK - FUNDAMENTALS - HAVING FUN
WELCOME TO FLAG FOOTBALL
Here is a little information to help you understand what you are about to embark upon with your child. Flag is an introductive level. It's purpose is teach football to beginners. Children ages 5, 6 and 7 will be competing. SMPW is part of the Palomar Conference and we compete against other local teams. Flag has an eight game schedule, plus a "Flag Fest" game at the conclusion of the season. Flag is considered a non-competitive level; this is a learning level where the key is to have fun while learning the game of football. Fundamentals will be taught so your child can feel a sense of success as the fun happens. Football is a team sport and this is the level where we start to teach working together. This may be your child's first experience as being part of a team. Our goal is that your child appreciates the experience, so he/she will want to return to play again with us next season.
FLAG HEAD COACH & STAFF
Your head coach will run your team. He is also a parent volunteering his/her time just as you. It takes anywhere from 10 – 20 hours per week to be a head coach. Please be supportive of their willingness to jump in and volunteer at this level. It is a learning experience for everyone joining Pop Warner for the first time, and your support will be needed to make this a successful season.
Only qualified personnel with Palomar Conference ID Badges will be allowed with your children at any time during practice or games. We take their safety very seriously. Your head coach and staff will have all had to pass an extensive personal background investigation before they are allowed interaction on the field with your child.
EQUIPMENT AT THE FLAG LEVEL
Equipment for the flag teams will be provided as part of their uniform. They will receive from the league these items:
SMPW T-Shirt
SMPW Shorts (This is called a Spirit Pack)
Mouthpiece
Game Jersey
Game Pants
You will need to provide your child with the following:
Tennis shoes (preferred) or,
Non-removable molded rubber cleats
Please note: Kids at this age tend to chew up their mouthpieces. They will need to have extras on hand which will be available for purchase at the snack bar. If their mouthpiece becomes unstable (corners chewed off, holes, etc.) they will not be allowed to play with it. It is up to you to keep their teeth properly protected. Be sure you follow the instructions on forming the mouthpiece properly to their teeth. They are not ready to wear straight out of the package. This is a common mistake that can be painful to the child and start them on the bad habit of chewing.
WHAT TO EXPECT FOR PRACTICES
Each practice will consist of warming up, conditioning and learning the basics of football. Practices begin on August 1st. Your team's practice schedule will be determined by your head coach. Practices are limited to four days per week, not to exceed 2 hours duration when school is not in session. Practices are limited to three days per week, not to exceed 1-1/2 hours duration while school is in session.
It is important for your child to come prepared with water, proper shoes, and a properly formed mouthpiece.
At this level, it is encouraged to have a parent remain at the field during practice. Please be sure if you drop your son/daughter off, that you physically place him/her in the care of a coach. Do not just drop them at the field to find their team. All children will need to be picked up by a parent; they will not be allowed to walk to the parking lots.
Parents need to put their trust in the coaching staff. If you remain at the field, please don't sideline coach, coddle or correct your child when they are working with their coaches. Parents set the tone for their children. If you see something that concerns you, or if you have a complaint, do not address it on the field. Contact your coach by phone. Set the standard for teamwork by being a team player with your coaching staff.
PARENT VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
If you are new to Pop Warner, you will come to recognize that we are completely run by Volunteers. Every family gets involved to support this organization and make it a success. Volunteer effort from every family is expected and is necessary to make this a successful program. Watching these kids succeed is due in part by the efforts of each of us. Please understand that minimum requirements will be asked of you as a parent with Pop Warner. If you have any specific talents or desires, please offer them up to the league. You are needed and a very important aspect of this organization! At the Flag level, since the teams are approximately half as large as the tackle teams, parents will be required to volunteer more hours than a typical tackle team.
Also, if you have a complaint or things are not being done in the way you feel they should be, recognize that it is all parents just like you, doing their best for our kids. You may have something the league needs to improve itself, so don’t hesitate to offer up your services to the league.
Never forget. This is a volunteer organization, and you will get out of the program what you are willing to put into it.
YOUR FLAG REPRESENTATIVE ON THE BOARD
If you have questions or concerns through the season, a board member has been assigned to help you.
Jules Martin has been a part of Pop Warner as a parent and coach for the past 7 years. His daughter, Mercedes, played 2 seasons for San Marcos Pop Warner tackle football. This will be his 8th Season in Pop Warner as a Parent and 4th Season as a Coach. He has a son, Ian playing on the Junior Midget level this season. He also will Head Coach his son, Maverick's flag team for the 2nd season. It is due to his Flag and Tackle experience that he has offered to volunteer to help you through the transitions of your early days in Pop Warner and as you graduate on to tackle football. He will act as a liaison for you should you need his assistance. Don’t hesitate to contact him.
Jules Martin
PHONE: 858-603-1277
EMAIL: hobbycentral@hotmail.com
Flag Cheerleaders!