Pop Warner Spirit teams have participated for several decades on the football
sidelines (Pep Squads, Majorettes, etc.); however, cheerleading was not officially
introduced until the 1970’s.
Today, thousands of youth participate in Pop Warner Cheerleading and Dance teams
around the United States.
The Cheer and Dance Program offers teams a wide range of opportunity for young
athletes at all skill levels: Novice, Intermediate and Advanced.
Pop Warner has established one set of spirit rules along with JAMZ, the Pop Warner
Education Development Partner and the original developer of the Youth Cheer and
Dance Alliance (YCADA).
Together with YCADA, Pop Warner is able to provide online educational courses for
its coaches, administrators and judges on team skill levels for Cheer Teams (Core
Cheer, Show Cheer PW 1-4) and for Dance Teams (Pom Performance, Theme Dance
& Hip Hop). Pop Warner also offers additional competition opportunities in Sideline
Performance Cheer.
With continued education, the Pop Warner Coaching Staff provides basic instruction,
training and conditioning for both football games and competition.
Teams participate on the sidelines at football games for home and most away
games through to the Pop Warner Super Bowl. In addition to Game Day, teams
participate in qualifying spirit events (League and Region) through to a Pop Warner
National Championship.
The Pop Warner National Cheer and Dance Championships (started in 1988) are
now held in December located in Orange County Convention Center in Orlando,
Florida.