Santa Margarita Pop Warner Football is a youth football program that was established in 1929. It is designed for children aged 5 to 16 and emphasizes the importance of education, as well as the value of teamwork and sportsmanship.

In Pop Warner tackle football, teams are organized into divisions based on age and/or weight. Depending on level, players can "play up" or "play down" based on their age and/or weight. This system is intended to ensure that children are playing with and against other children who are similar in maturity, development and ability.

Pop Warner football games are played on a regulation-size field, with 11 players on each side. The rules of the game are similar to those of high school and college football, with some modifications to make the game safer for young players. For example, kickoffs and punts are eliminated in some divisions, and the length of the playing quarters may be shortened.

Pop Warner is known for its strict rules regarding player safety, including rules on contact and equipment. The program also emphasizes proper technique and encourages players to use their heads, rather than their helmets, to make tackles.

In addition to football, Pop Warner also offers cheerleading and dance programs for children. The organization holds regional and national championships for both football and cheerleading.

Santa Margarita Pop Warner in Action

SM Pop Warner players who play over multiple seasons learn that they build skills in each progressive season. Enjoy this glimpse in into one of our team's 2022 season. These more experienced "13U" players (8th grade and younger) had a winning season (7-1 record) and enjoyed their experience on and off the field.

Video created by Legendary Sports Media, 2022