Pop Warner football forbids the traditional three-point position

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Pop Warner, the oldest youth football organization in the country, will eliminate the position in its three youngest divisions – Tiny Mite (5-7), Mitey Mite (7-9) and Junior Pee Wee (8-10) – from the 2019 season.

Starting in September, players in these divisions will no longer be able to put their hands on the ground before throwing the ball. The concern is that this position lowers players' heads, making them more likely to lead with the head and placing them in a more vulnerable position in the event of a head injury.

Football has been in the spotlight because of concussions and the prevalence of traumatic chronic encephalopathy, similar to Alzheimer's disease, among former players. Efforts are made to make play safer, even for the youngest.

Players will now have to stand or in a more modified squat position with their hands on their legs.

"We believe this change is a new step in creating a safer and better football experience for young people," said Jon Butler, executive director of Pop Warner, in a statement. "We are changing the way players are introduced to the sport and how they learn to play, and we are setting the stage for our higher levels of play to embrace change."

Pop Warner's plan is to completely eliminate this position, but there is no precise timetable. League officials plan to use this season to evaluate the change.

"The elimination of the three-point position should reduce the force between the line players and we hope that it will reduce unintentional contact with the helmet on the line," said Dr. Julian Bailes, Advisory Committee Chair. Pop Warner, in his statement.

Pop Warner will also eliminate the sendoff of his Pee Wee division (9 to 11 years old), having banned him in his three youngest divisions in 2016. Now, after a point or early in the half, the ball will be placed at the 35 yard line.

The sending stroke presents a risk of head injury, as players can run and attack at particularly high speeds.

Pop Warner will also eliminate the kickoff from his Pee Wee division (from 9 to 11 years old), after the ban on moving into his three youngest divisions from 2016, for fear of the dangers of the coup d'etat. # 39; shipment. The game can find players who run and compete at high speed.

After a score or at the start of a half, the ball will now be placed at the 35-meter line.

Pop Warner has approximately 325,000 children aged 5 to 16 who participate in its national football, stimulation and dance programs.

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