Our Safety Philosophy
There is nothing on or off the field that Scripps Ranch Pop Warner takes more seriously than player health and safety. We are an organization of committed parents who love the game of football and want our children to have that same passion while simultaneously building their self-esteem and physical strength. All of our efforts are focused on building the safest possible environment so that players on both sides of the ball can build their skills while fueling their passion and joy of football, and learn the values of leadership, teamwork, and discipline.
We take many steps to ensure the safety of our players to the highest degree possible--from the quality, guidelines, training, and seriousness of our coaches to the equipment and techniques used by our players. We emphasize and promote player safety while teaching proper football fundamentals. Our coaches not only commit to meeting the safety standards set by USA Football, but they also work and focus on understanding and executing age-appropriate methods for improved safety in practices, drills, and games. Our coaches take great strides to ensure all football drills are age-appropriate and game-specific, match players of similar size and ability to compete in drills, and teach players to tackle low through the thighs - a technique that dramatically reduces the risk of injury.
We've instituted the nation's most advanced safety measures, including limiting contact to 25% of practice time, eliminating kickoffs and the three-point stance for our youngest divisions, banning full-speed, head-on tackling and blocking drills and mandating that any player who suffers a suspected head injury receive medical clearance from a medical professional trained in concussion evaluation and management before returning to play.
In addition, all Pop Warner coaches are given the tools they need to teach the game the right way. USA Football’s Heads Up Football training is mandatory for all Pop Warner coaches. Similarly, we require our cheer coaches take the YCADA training. And we’re guided by an independent Medical Advisory Committee of neurosurgeons, sports medicine professionals, pediatricians and researchers who are driven by medical science and professional expertise.
If you have concerns of any kind or would like to discuss our safety philosophy, please contact our president at [email protected] and/or our football director at [email protected].