Football FAQ

1. What does my registration fee cover?
   - Pop Warner Little Panthers League Fees
   - Security Fees (Security personnel present at every game)
   - Officials (referees) Fee
   - Medic Fees (medics present at every game)
   - Insurance (through MCOC) for your child
   - Field Maintenance and Lights (practice fields & game fields)
   - Uniforms
   - Equipment (Rental Fee)
   - Miscellaneous – MCOC is a non-profit organization maintained fully by your membership dollars and donations; MCOC is not funded by any municipality, therefore every dollar goes towards the Sports programs.

2. Why do we need the Physical/Medical History form?
   - The Physical/Medical History Form is a “detailed” medical form with information about allergies, asthma, and medical issues. This form will be carried in a binder by your child’s coach to each practice and game. This way, if there is a medical emergency, the trained medics will have immediate access to the child’s medical history and also have immediate information so they can contact the pediatrician if necessary.

3. Do teams need to provide any medical personnel during practices?
   - Pop Warner requires someone with CPR certification to be at the field (not necessarily on the same team) for practices in the event of an emergency. With 3-4 teams practicing at the same time, we are fulfilling the requirement. In addition, some coaches are CPR certified. For all games, a medic will be at the field at all times (part of your registration fee).

4. Why do I have to provide my child’s report card?
   - Pop Warner requires each player to have a 70.0% or 2.0 GPA in order to participate in their football program. Pop Warner wants to stress how important it is to be a good scholar in school. The report cards are proof to Pop Warner that your child is performing at school.

5. When is the first game and when will we see a game schedule?
   - The first game is normally the first Saturday after Labor Day – when and where to be announced – we expect an update on the schedule the first week in September. We will provide this information to your coaches as soon as we have it.

6. How do I find out about practices and games in inclement weather?
   - MCOC will use their communications app Game Changer plus the coaches to communicate any cancellations. If nothing is posted, plan to be on time unless you hear from a coach. If storms develop late, decisions will be made at the fields.

7. How much time is involved?
   - Pop Warner Football is a BIG time commitment on the part of both players and parents. The first 2 weeks of the season are considered "conditioning" weeks. Before school begins, players will practice four nights a week for up to 2 hours. Once school is in session, this will be scaled back to 2 nights per week.

8. What time do teams practice?
   - Practices are up to 2 1/2 hours long - typically 2 hours - and commonly run anywhere from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm with some variance depending on the coach’s schedule.

9. Are the coaches paid employees of Mallard Creek Optimist Club (MCOC)?
   - NO. They are volunteers who donate their time to help our kids. This entire program, in fact, is run by volunteers who put in a great deal of personal time to make this program available to your children. Please keep this in mind…our staff has the same professional and personal responsibilities as you with the added responsibility that comes along with volunteering. If you are interested in committing some time to the program, please contact the football Commissioner.

10. Do we have to buy all the equipment?
    - NO. MCOC provides helmets, shoulder pads, jersey, practice jersey, and game pants. All this equipment must be returned at the end of each season.

11. How much will my child play?
    - All team members will play. Coaches will determine what positions each child is best suited for. Every division has a minimum number of plays that each child must play. This is frequently referenced as "the MPR rule". (MPR = Minimum Play Rule).

12. Who do I talk to about coaching or volunteering?
    - We would love to have you on board! Please contact Haleem Johnson for more information on becoming a coach or volunteering. We have plenty of non-coaching opportunities like helping with paperwork, coordinating schedules for game-day drinks and snacks, and so much more!

Cheer FAQ's

1. What does the schedule look like?
   - Our fall season starts with practices beginning in early August. We usually practice 2-3 times per week, depending upon age group, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays. Actual days depend upon coaches’ availability and facilities. All football games are on Saturdays in the Charlotte-metro area. Our cheer squads cheer for the football games that match up to their age group. We also end the season with a local competition, and our older squads have the opportunity to advance to Regionals in November and Nationals in December.

2. How do I find out about practices and games in inclement weather?
   - MCOC will use their communications app Team App plus the coaches to communicate any cancellations. If nothing is posted, plan to be on time unless you hear from a coach. If storms develop late, decisions will be made at the fields.

3. Are there additional costs?
   - Families also are responsible for the cost of travel related to competitions & Competition expenses.

4. Who are the coaches?
   - All of our coaches for both cheer and football are 100% volunteers and are not compensated whatsoever for their time. We often need additional coaches and volunteers to help us stay organized. Although it helps, cheer experience is not required. We are a team of coaches and stay in touch frequently to make sure everyone feels supported. Each coach must also undergo a background check and pass the Pop Warner Youth Cheer and Dance Alliance training and certification.

5. Who do I talk to about coaching or volunteering?
   - We would love to have you on board! Please contact our cheer coordinator Rekia Lipscomb for more information on becoming a coach or volunteering. We have plenty of non-coaching opportunities like helping with paperwork, coordinating schedules for game-day drinks and snacks, and so much more!

6. Are the coaches paid employees of Mallard Creek Optimist Club (MCOC)?
   - NO. They are volunteers who donate their time to help our kids. This entire program, in fact, is run by volunteers who put in a great deal of personal time to make this program available to your children. Please keep this in mind…our staff has the same professional and personal responsibilities as you with the added responsibility that comes along with volunteering. If you are interested in committing some time to the program, please contact the Cheer Commissioner.

7. What team will my child be on?
   - Age groups do overlap. Cheerleaders are placed on squads by the coaching team based on age, experience, skill level, and the number of cheerleaders registered for that age group.