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AP Photo/Tony TribblePop Warner is a charitable sports group providing football, cheerleading, and dance programs for children aged 5 to 16. Established in 1929, Pop Warner emphasizes both physical and mental development by balancing athletic activities with academic success.
The Pop Warner football initiative uses a detailed age and weight framework to ensure safe competition. Grasping the weight categories in Pop Warner football involves understanding its dual-factor system, which considers both age and weight to create fair matchups, allowing older yet lighter players to compete effectively. The program prioritizes teamwork, personal growth, and enjoyment above all else.
Weight Classes and Divisions
Pop Warner organizes its tackle football into nine divisions: Tiny-Mite, Mitey-Mite, Junior Peewee, Peewee, Junior Midget, Midget, Junior Bantam, Unlimited, and Bantam. Below, you'll find detailed information about the weight and age requirements for each division. Note that certain divisions do not follow the "older but lighter" rule:
- Tiny-Mite: Ages 5, 6, and 7 (35-75 lbs.); No older but lighter
- Mitey-Mite: Ages 7, 8, and 9 (45-90 lbs.); No older but lighter
- Junior Peewee: Ages 8, 9, and 10 (60-105 lbs.); includes older but lighter 11-year-olds (60-85 lbs.)
- Peewee: Ages 9, 10, and 11 (75-120 lbs.); includes older but lighter 12-year-olds (75-100 lbs.)
- Junior Midget: Ages 10, 11, and 12 (85-135 lbs.); includes older but lighter 13-year-olds (85-115 lbs.)
- Midget: Ages 11, 12, 13, and 14 (105-160 lbs.); includes older but lighter 15-year-olds (105-140 lbs.)
- Junior Bantam: Ages 12, 13, and 14 (120-170 lbs.); includes older but lighter 15-year-olds (120-150 lbs.)
- Unlimited: Ages 12, 13, 14, and 15 (170+ lbs.); No older but lighter
- Bantam: Ages 13, 14, and 15 (135-185 lbs.); includes older but lighter 16-year-olds (135-165 lbs.)
Age and weight are critical factors in determining a child's football division in Pop Warner. A player's age for the season is defined as their age on July 31st. After the second game, players are permitted to gain up to one pound per week, with a maximum weight gain of nine pounds for the season.
Pop Warner is committed to fostering teamwork in football, dance, and cheerleading while nurturing leadership skills in young coaches. The organization aims to prepare today's youth to become responsible adults. Safety remains a top priority in all youth sports programs offered by Pop Warner.
