Trojan Pop Warner Football

The Trojans Pop Warner (TPW) Football program provides competitive youth tackle football for kids in Northwest Austin, with an emphasis on sportsmanship, integrity and opportunity.  As the only national youth sports organization that requires scholastic aptitude to participate, Pop Warner is committed to developing young people both on and off the field.  

Practice

Preseason practices for fall begin as early as August 1. Trojans Pop Warner requires that players attend ALL practices in August as it is proven that full attendance ensures player safety and development in the succeeding weeks. In addition, Pop Warner requires 10 hours of conditioning and practice before players are allowed to put on pads or participate in a game or scrimmage. To meet this minimum requirement, TPW practices four times a week during the preseason—typically Monday through Thursday —with each practice lasting approximately 2.5 hours. Where possible, we recommend scheduling summer camps and family vacations for June and July, so as not to conflict with the start of TPW preseason. However, we understand that in some cases this is unavoidable and offer opportunities for players to make up lost time in August so they can still enjoy a great season.

Once school starts, practices are typically held two to three times per week, depending on the age group. Players are expected to attend all practices unless they are ill or have a required school event. Please note that it is difficult for kids who miss practices to "catch up" to the rest of the team in terms of player development. Missing practice also places additional burden on the volunteer coaches and limits the time spent training and developing the entire team. We understand that players may have to miss an occasional practice, but please commit to prioritizing your player’s practices, as they lead to better player development, better team chemistry—and most importantly—safer play.

After Labor Day, the total weekly practice time drops from 10 hours to a maximum of 6 hours per week, with practices lasting no longer than two hours per day (a week is defined as Monday - Sunday). This is in accordance with Pop Warner rules.

Regular Season

Regular season games are played on Saturdays, with games typically starting the first weekend in September and running through the end of October. For teams that qualify, playoffs begin immediately following the conclusion of the regular season and can potentially run through the first week in December (National Championships in Orlando, FL).

Game Locations

Trojan Pop Warner’s home games are held at Anderson High School (8403 Mesa Dr, Austin, TX 78759) and away games are held on fields throughout central Texas. Game times and locations are assigned by the Hill Country Pop Warner organization. The game schedule is typically released just before the first game of the season. Trojan Pop Warner has no control over the schedule, so please be flexible and understanding regarding game times and locations throughout the season.

Practice Locations

All practices are held at Murchison Middle School, 3700 N Hills Dr, Austin, TX 78731.

Equipment, Costs, and Equipment Leasing Program

All players are required to lease a helmet from Trojan Pop Warner. We also offer leasing for shoulder pads, but they can be purchased separately, if preferred. Trojan Pop Warner also sells official game pants. In addition, each player is required to have practice football pants, a practice jersey (white preferably), and a mouth guard. We will hold equipment fittings throughout the spring to ensure your child is properly fitted for helmets and shoulder pads (extremely important for player safety).

Equipment Leasing Prices:

  • Riddell Speedflex Helmet: $200 per season

  • Riddell Victor-I Helmet: $150 per season

  • Shoulder pads (several models depending on child size and position): $25 per season

Game Pants Price:


Trojan Pop Warner offers sponsorships that cover a child’s equipment and registration fees. In addition, we do have some equipment that can be loaned for free to players on a first-come, first served basis. If you are interested in learning more about our sponsorship program, please email info@trojanpopwarner.com.

Refund Policy

Trojan Pop Warner will provide a full refund for any reason prior to the start of the season. Upon the start of preseason, no refunds will be offered, except for extenuating circumstances that are voted on by the Trojan Pop Warner board.

Divisions - Ages and Weights

Hill Country Pop Warner (of which Trojan Pop Warner is a member) is structured as an age-only league with strict weight restrictions placed on ball carriers. If a player is over the weight specified below for each division they are designated as an “X-Man” and only allowed to play on the offensive or defensive line. Pop Warner USA estimates that 75-80% of youth football nationally follows an age-only structure with no weight restrictions on ball carriers—which means that Hill Country Pop Warner is among the safest football leagues in the country.

See below for the teams that Trojan Pop Warner will be offering for the 2024 Fall Season (including X-man weights):

  • ROOKIE TACKLE: Ages 5-6-7. Rookie Tackle is an entry level division focused on development and features 7v7 on the field. See below for more information.

  • 9U: Ages 7-8-9 (X man = 105 pounds)

  • 10U: Ages 8-9-10 (X man = 120 pounds)

  • 12U: Ages 10-11-12 (X Man = 135 pounds)

Age: A child's age on July 31st is his/her age for the season. 

Weight: Prior to the season starting, all teams and all players must attend a league-wide certification where players are weighed and X-Man designations are determined. During the season, players designated as an X-Man will wear a jersey in the 90s so both teams are aware that they are only allowed to play on the offensive or defensive line.

For more information on the Hill Country Pop Warner Age-Only Weight Rules, click here (Note: This information is from the 2023 season. An updated version will be linked as soon as it is available for the 2024 season.

Rookie Tackle

Pop Warner and USA Football have joined forces for a pilot program called Rookie Tackle, a transitional program for kids between Flag Football and 9U and it is already generating plenty of excitement in Pop Warner.

Rookie Tackle was created to introduce tackle football to younger players, and was created with input from youth football league leaders throughout the United States, who have modified the rules of the game based on player development. The program keeps rosters of players down to 7 on 7. The reduced rosters, plus a smaller playing field ( generally 40 yards long) gives young players a chance to play tackle football without the pressure of playing on an NFL sized gridiron against 11 man rosters.

“Rookie Tackle” is a “bridge-game” between flag and 11 player tackle that creates a best practice pathway that allows youngsters to get a feel for the great game of football by playing a number of different positions in every game using only two point stances. There are no “special teams” and we have two coaches on the field with the kids at all times helping to instruct, inform and encourage safe play.

The following are the key aspects of Rookie Tackle:

  • Fosters Participation: Allows leagues with limited registered players to field more teams.

  • Players Rotate Positions: Participants rotate and learn multiple positions and skills on offensive and defense.

  • Smaller Fields: Scaled to create an appropriate playing space for the age and abilities of younger athletes.

  • Maximize Field Space: Allows leagues to utilize field space more efficiently.

  • Smaller Rosters: Provides a greater coach-to-player ratio to foster individual attention and skill development.

  • Increased Activity: Rule modifications result in more snaps on offense and defense for younger players.

At a time when sound development, and greater opportunity, in all youth sports is more vital than ever, the partnership of USA Football and Pop Warner is a HUGE addition to programs far and near.

If your child is interested in Rookie Tackle football and you have questions about aspect of our program—including safety—please reach out to our president, Ben Ettelman (ben@trojanpw.com).

For more information on “Rookie Tackle “ Football, see the USA Football website athttps://usafootball.com/rookietackle/