My 8 year old just started his first season of football. I grew up knowing only the name pop warner and was told by another parent here in Howell/Farmingdale that the coaching here was better in the Pop Warner league so that is who we signed up with. However, after hearing from a friend I trust, he speaks glowingly of AYF up in Old Bridge. I do see a better season schedule of shore teams with AYF on their website than Pop Warner based on last years info but does anyone here have an opinion of either league?
Pop Warner vs American Youth Football
- Thread starter jreinsdorf
- Start date
The coaching probably going to hit or miss depending on year to year because of the constant turnover. I would stay away from any league at that age that has a playoffs. I rather the emphasis be on teaching and development rather then winning. I don't want a coach who is more worried about making the playoffs instead of teaching all the kids the proper techniques and fundamentals. You want you kid to have a good experience and football can be dangerous if proper techniques are not taught.
In addition does your local high school have a feeder system? I know many places have feeder programs starting with midgets who run the same system and terminology through high school. So you may want to factor that in.
In addition does your local high school have a feeder system? I know many places have feeder programs starting with midgets who run the same system and terminology through high school. So you may want to factor that in.
AYF is only 20 years old or so but has grown rapidly. There is no weight restriction in age groups in AYF, whereas Pop Warner has always had weight restrictions. A lot depends on the town/program and coaching.
My 10 year old is also playing for the first time this year. The weight restriction for his group is 125 lbs. That's more than the 120lb limit that used to be placed on 12-13 in Pop Warner back in the 70's. In addition a kid being over the weight doesn't disqualify him. They can still play but with restrictions on position. In the same league the weight limit for the 11-12 year old division is 145lbs, but there have been kids 200 lbs playing as lineman. Can't believe the size of some of these kids at certain ages.
My son did Pop Warner for 5 years (3 flag, 2 tackle), he is taking a "break" this year. I personally prefer Pop Warner because of the weight limits, I think it makes a big difference safety wise. In my town we also have an AYF team and I know some of the kids that play, and I can't believe the size of some of these kids. I know they limit where some of the kids can play and who can run the ball, but if there is a 50+ lb weight difference someone will get hurt badly. Both organizations have volunteer coaches and we were real fortunate with the quality of coaching we had over the years. Lastly, in our town the young AYF kids just play in town (I think up to 4th grade), I liked that at Pop Warner we traveled and had some nice rivalries over the years.
Just a personal opinion. I'd rather have my kid play in a weight restricted league at a young age <12. I think it's be a lot more fun for the kid which should always be the #1 priority. Do you really want someone at that age going up against someone 25+ pounds bigger, getting his butt kicked every play or sit the bench? If your kid is big for his age then go the other way.
Most of the key points have been hit already. only other things I'd look at is quality of equipment and total number of kids in a program. You don't want to be in a place that is struggling financially or numbers wise and doesn't reinvest in the kids safety. While I agree with the PSU fans point about joining for a coach, I would look at age of the coaches. this year our younger coaches made a push to switch to Rugby style tackling. Last year when I brought it up most of the "seasoned" coaches laughed at the idea.
I just started my 5th year as an AYF head coach. I live in a fairly small town and our football numbers at my level, 8/9 year olds is growing surprisingly. I know that there are big towns that are losing kids due to year round sports and the fear of concussions to the point where they can't field teams.
The biggest advantage to AYF is the number of local NJ teams. You will play neighboring towns as opposed to driving an hour to get to a game. For a flag game that starts at 8:30 am it's helpful.
Everyone is or should be teaching some variation of rugby or Seahawks tackling at this time. Taking the head out of the game is a priority. If coaches are laughing at that, then they are dinosaurs and need to wake up.
The biggest advantage to AYF is the number of local NJ teams. You will play neighboring towns as opposed to driving an hour to get to a game. For a flag game that starts at 8:30 am it's helpful.
Everyone is or should be teaching some variation of rugby or Seahawks tackling at this time. Taking the head out of the game is a priority. If coaches are laughing at that, then they are dinosaurs and need to wake up.
On their website it appears there is an age and weight matrix
Yes, its the schedule that has me most intrigued. No reason a Howell team should be playing Camden. Thought that was odd.
It truly is. Let's put it this way. My son is in the early stages of being 10; having just hit the milestone in June. Yet at about 100 lbs he's actually one of the heavier kids on his team. So they,ve been working him in on the lines. He is almost sure to be going up against kids who will turn 11 shortly and who may be 140-150 lbs in some cases. If not more.
See, I just think that's wrong. Those kids would be 50%! heavier.
When I played in the 60's for the association formed at the OLV church we had 3 teams, 100, 115, and 135. I played 2 years for the 115 because it was tough for the smaller team to find games so some kids played above their weight class. This way everyone got the same amount of actual game experience across the 3 levels.
I do remember our long road trip from Orange all the way to Roxbury (lol) for a game only to find there was some kind of miscommunication and we were playing their "big" team. I don't know how we did it because as a 100 lb OT/DT I spent most of the game on my back looking up at the sky, but we won 6-0.
I be
I believe there are several divisions one of which (national) has weight restrictions, the others don't. However I think there are some positional limitations or restrictions bases on weight but these don't prohibit qualification or playing.
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