Welcome to the Home of the Colts

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

1. How does registration pricing work?
2. What is registration insurance and should I select it?
3. Do I have to complete all paperwork before registering?
4. Where do I find help completing the Pop Warner registration process?
5. How do I upload documentation?
6. Do teams need to provide medical personnel during practices?
7. Why is Pop Warner so strict?
8. Why does Pop Warner require background checks for anyone who has regular contact with players?
9. Why do I have to provide a $200 equipment deposit check?
10. What do we need at Equipment Distribution?
11. Why do I have to provide my child’s report card?
12. My child’s helmet is uncomfortable. What should we do?
13. Where will our games be held?
14. When is the first game and when will we see a game schedule?
15. How do I find out about practices and games in bad weather?
16. Can I bring a pet to games?
17. When does the season begin and end?
18. How much time is involved?
19. What time do teams practice?
20. Are the coaches paid employees of MARA?
21. Do we have to buy all the equipment?
22. What equipment do I need to purchase?
23. How much will my child play?
24. Can we take a vacation once practice starts in August?
25. How do game schedules work?
26. Middle School Football and MARA

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How does registration pricing work?

• Early Bird: $365 (through May 1, 2026)
• Regular: $390 (May 2 – July 1, 2026)
• Late: $415 (July 1 and after)

Pricing increases as the season approaches. Register early to secure the lowest rate and your player’s spot.

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What is registration insurance and should I select it?

• Registration insurance is offered during checkout and is designed to help protect your registration fees in certain qualifying situations.
• This may include injury, illness, schedule conflicts, weather-related interruptions, and other covered reasons.
• MARA has a no refund policy.  Registration insurance is the only protection available for registration fees.

If there is any chance your player may not complete the season, you should strongly consider selecting the registration insurance option during checkout.

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Do I have to complete all paperwork before registering?

• No.  You do not have to complete all paperwork before registering.
• Registration secures your player’s spot.  Paperwork may be completed after registration.
• However, all required paperwork must be completed before your player is allowed to practice.
• This is a Pop Warner requirement and is not optional.

Bottom line: register first to secure your spot, then complete your paperwork before practices begin.

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Where do I find help completing the Pop Warner registration process?

• This link should provide the guidance you need to complete the process.

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How do I upload documentation?

• This link provides instructions on how to upload documents into your player profile.

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Do teams need to provide medical personnel during practices?

• Pop Warner requires someone with CPR certification to be present during practices, even if that person is not from the same team.
• Because multiple teams practice at the same time, that requirement is met.
• For all games, certified medics are present.  This is included in your registration fee.

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Why is Pop Warner so strict?

• Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. is a national nonprofit youth football and cheer organization for ages 5–16.
• It emphasizes safety, academic performance, and structured team play.
• It is also the only national youth sports organization that requires academic standards for participation.

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Why does Pop Warner require background checks?

• All adults who have regular contact with players, including coaches, assistants, and team parents, must pass a background check.
• This is a safety requirement of both Pop Warner and MARA.

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Why do I have to provide a $200 equipment deposit check?

• MARA-issued equipment is expensive and must be returned in good condition at the end of the season.
• A $200 deposit check is collected and held in good faith to protect that equipment.
• If all equipment is returned properly, the check is not cashed.
• If equipment is not returned, the check may be used to help offset replacement costs.

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What do we need at Equipment Distribution?

• Your player must be present. Equipment will not be issued without the player being fitted.
• Bring your $200 equipment deposit check.
• MARA uses a barcode system to track all issued equipment.
• If you plan to use your own helmet or shoulder pads, a liability waiver is required.
• MARA provides: helmet (with chin strap), shoulder pads, game jersey, game pants, and socks.
• You must provide: cleats and a mouthguard.  Additional items are optional.

Showing up prepared and on time helps keep the process moving for everyone.

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Why do I have to provide my child’s report card?

• Pop Warner is officially called “Pop Warner Little Scholars.” A minimum GPA of 2.0 or 70% is required to play.
• Players with a 96% GPA or higher may be eligible for national recognition as “Little Scholars.”

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My child’s helmet is uncomfortable. What should we do?

• Helmets are designed to fit snugly for safety and may feel tight at first.
• Do not alter or remove padding from the helmet.  This is unsafe and not permitted.
• If the fit seems incorrect, contact your coach or MARA football leadership for assistance.

Please do not attempt to modify the helmet yourself.

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Where will our games be held?

• Games are played at multiple fields. Home games are played at MARA’s upper field, located to the left of the parking lot.

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When is the first game and when will we see a game schedule?

• Team certification typically ends in late August, and scheduling begins immediately afterward.
• The first game is usually the first Saturday after Labor Day.
• You should expect the initial schedule in early September.
• Depending on Pop Warner, the full schedule may be released in stages.

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How do I find out about practices and games in bad weather?

• Check marasports.org for updates.
• Coaches will also communicate with their teams.
• If no update is posted, assume the event is still on.

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Can I bring a pet to games?

• No.  Pets are not allowed due to insurance and safety policies.
• MARA facilities are private property.

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When does the season begin and end?

• Practices begin during the first week of August.
• The season can extend into November and possibly beyond, depending on playoffs or bowl games.

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How much time is involved?

• Pop Warner is a significant commitment for both players and parents.
• During the first two weeks, the conditioning phase usually runs four nights per week for up to 2.5 hours per night.
• After school begins, practices are generally reduced to three nights per week.

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What time do teams practice?

Practices typically run 2 to 2.5 hours, usually between 6:00 PM and 8:45 PM. Times may vary slightly by team.

Important: Players should arrive hydrated, especially during the heat of early August.

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Are the coaches paid employees of MARA?

No. All coaches are volunteers, along with committee members and support staff.

Interested in volunteering? Reach out to [email protected].

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Do we have to buy all the equipment?

No. MARA provides the primary football equipment your player needs:

• Helmet
• Shoulder Pads
• Game Jersey
• Game Pants

These items must be returned at the end of the season, except for the jersey.

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What equipment do I need to purchase?

• Football cleats
• Mouthguard (required)
• Athletic supporter with cup
• Practice pants with integrated pads
• Practice jersey
• Game socks
• Optional: upgraded chin strap or padded girdle

Start with the required items.  Additional gear is optional based on player preference.

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How much will my child play?

All players will play. Coaches assign positions based on skill, experience, and effort. Playing time varies, but each division follows the MPR (Minimum Play Rule).

The more a player puts in, the more they usually get out of the experience.

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Can we take a vacation once practice starts in August?

Yes, but keep the following in mind:

• The first two weeks are mandatory conditioning and installation periods.
• Missing practices can delay your child’s progress and affect early-season playing time.
• Pop Warner requires a minimum number of practice hours before a player may participate in games.

That said, players can catch up. Communication with the coach is important.

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How do game schedules work?

All scheduling is done by the Executive Board of the Pop Warner Little Panthers: www.popwarnerlittlepanthers.org

MARA competes against 16 or more other associations. Schedules are created by volunteers, and it is a difficult task.

Teams that perform well may enter playoffs and advance to the Optimist Bowl.  Winners can continue to Regional Playoffs and potentially the National Championships.

Please note that schedules may be released one week at a time based on standings.

Most teams play 9 games. Because of uneven team counts, some teams may receive a BYE and play 8.

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Middle School Football and MARA

• Players can play for both their middle school team and their Pop Warner team at the same time.
• If a player leaves the school team, they may still join MARA as long as they registered before the cutoff.
• Pop Warner often provides more playing time.  School football may only require one play, while Pop Warner requires eight, not including special teams or penalties.
• Pop Warner games may continue into December or beyond and may be played under the lights, unlike many school teams.
• Pop Warner players may also compete for a national title through the national playoff structure.
• Many 7th graders do not make their school team. Players can start with MARA, try out for school, and return to MARA if needed.

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