Pop Warner Becomes 1st National Football Organization to Ban Kickoffs

May 13, 2016   ·   Tyler Conway   ·   Jump to comments

Pop Warner Football announced the formal ban of kickoffs for its three youngest leagues Thursday, citing the safety of players. 
“We are constantly working to make the game safer and better for our young athletes, and we think this move is an important step in that direction,” Pop Warner executive director Jon Butler said in a statement. "Eliminating kickoffs at this level adds another layer of safety without changing the nature of this great game. We are excited to look at the results at the end of the year as we explore additional measures."
The rule change will ban all kickoffs in Tiny Mite (five-to-seven years old), Mitey Mite (seven to nine) and Junior Pee Wee (eight to 10) games. Teams will instead start at their own 35-yard line. Older divisions may also implement the change after the 2016 season. 
Pop Warner is the first national football organization to ban kickoffs. It's a fundamental change in how the sport i...

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