To ensure safety for the kids, Pop Warner football is banning the dangerous kickoff play for their younger leagues.
Led by the issues of concussions, safety in the game of football has been at the fore-front in recent years. The NFL has done a nice job of adjusting their rules to help keep the players safer. Some fans may not like the changes, and it has undoubtedly changed the game, but something had to be done.
When it comes to kids, making the game as safe as possible needs to be the number one priority. With that in mind, Pop Warner football has eliminated the kickoff play. Instead of having the kids run at each other at full speed on a kickoff return, the ball will now be placed at the 35-yard at the start of each half and after a team scores.
However, this change will only take place in the in the Tiny Mite (ages 5-7), Mitey Mite (7-9) and Junior Pee Wee (8-10) divisions. The Pee Wee (9-11), Jr. Varsity (10-12) and Varsity (12-15) divisions will still all use the regular kickoff rules.
"“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,” said Pop Warner executive director, John Butler via the Associated Press. “Eliminating kickoffs at this level adds another layer of safety without changing the nature of this great game.”"
Football is a dangerous game no matter how you look at it, but the kickoff has always seemed to be unnecessarily dangerous. With players running at each other and colliding at full speed, it is far and away the most dangerous play in the game. Plus, it is a relatively unexciting play that rarely results in a big play.
While they probably will never actually get rid of the kickoffs, the NFL devalued their impact with a rule change in 2011. Kickoffs were moved up to the 35-yard-line from the 30, resulting in many more touchbacks. To double-down on that rule, the NFL will have a one-year trial of the touchbacks resulting in the receiving team getting the ball at the 25-yard-line.