Arizona Pop Warner North Association: My Site News
Do's and Don'ts for Athletes and PlayersDO
PRACTICE. PRACTICE. PRACTICE.
You've heard it many times before but it's true! As fall gets closer, nothing can take the place of practice. You should be out playing your sport as often as you can between now and the fall season. If you are sick of hearing the word practice, just think of it as play, play, play not a bad way to spend the summer.
The goal of playing so often is to get to "automatic". Do you know what that is? Automatic is a term we use to describe athletes who are so comfortable with their sport that when they play, they are on "cruise control", not having to think about what they are doing at all. That's where lots of practice will take you.
Practice smart.
That's right more practice! As pre-contioning approach, find out what skills will be tested during the pre-conditioning schedule. Find out what skills the coaches will be looking for. Pre-contioning usually is made up of skill tests, as well as an opportunity to play. If you're playing a lot this summer (we hope so!), the other way to get ready is to practice smart by focusing on the skills that will be part of the pre-conditioning schedule.
Develop good habits now.
Get in shape, eat a well-rounded diet, and get plenty of sleep. Every great athlete will tell you how incredibly important it is to develop good habits. You have heard the expression, "we are creatures of habit", and it's true. It's important to be in the habit of eating a good diet and getting plenty of sleep. Many top athletes and coaches believe that these positive habits are the most important thing they do to stay at the top of their game. So start now get in great shape, eat right, and get plenty of sleep.
During pre-conditioning, be polite and energetic, and pay close attention to the coaches. This is a time when you want to make a good impression on the coaches. All coaches respect players that are polite and say "thanks" and are excited and full of energy. Go to pre-conditioning with a super positive attitude, and be energetic the whole time. Also, it's very important to pay close attention to the coaches and follow their instructions carefully. To most coaches, showing effort and trying as hard as you can are more important than anything else you do. Be polite; try your hardest, and pay attention.
DON'TS for Pre-Conditioning and Games
Don't worry.
As long as you try your hardest there is nothing to worry about. Coaches will see this.
Don't wait until the last minute to practice or develop good habits.
Start now today and then you will be ready.
Don't whine, complain or criticize others.
Be positive and have fun!
Don't eat too heavy a breakfast on the day of a game.
Some cereal with fruit and some juice are better than bacon and eggs or biscuits and gravy. Think light and nutritious.
Don't go to bed late the night before a game.
A good night's sleep is very important so you can be energetic and positive. Remember -- develop these habits early!
Background Checks
Parents Do's and Don'ts
DO
Be positive...positive...positive.
Your children will pick up on your verbal and non-verbal messages. If you are negative in any way about pre-conitioning and games, your child will soon follow.It's very important to realize that your child will pick up on every cue you send about your feelings. It's perfectly natural to be anxious for your child, but it is important that you try to make this a fun and stress-free experience.
Find out as much as possible about how the season will be run.
The more you know, the more you can help your child prepare. Think of the season like giving a public presentation...the better the preparation, the less nervousness. Call the league office or someone in charge and ask how the season will be run. Review this with your child so he/she will know what to expect when they arrive. Relay the details in a fun and positive manner, stressing how well prepared they'll be and how the system sounds fair and FUN.
Help your child feel as ready as possible without making the whole process seem like a big deal.
Once you know how things will be run, figure out which skills will be most important during the process and give your child as many opportunities to practice those skills as possible. There are three key ingredients to helping your child feel confident and ready:
Opportunities to practice
Encouragement that they are doing well
Instruction if they need to improve.
Always remember these three key ingredients...we'll be reminding you of them all the time here at eteamz!!
Help your child build and develop habits that are associated with success in sports.
As with other areas of your child's development, building good habits is very important. As Aristotle taught us many years ago, excellence is a habit, not a single act. Start today making sure your child is eating a well balanced diet, getting plenty of sleep and spending lots of time practicing and playing.
Get out to the park or in the yard and play...play...play with your child.
Remember the three key ingredients:
Opportunity
Encouragement
Instruction
What a fantastic way to spend fun time together...practicing and playing. It's the BEST! You don't have to be an expert to help your child succeed. Follow the simple three step formula and if you need help with how to provide instruction, visit the eteamz site to find helpful tips and information.
Always try to break the sports skill down if your child is having trouble.
It's important to build their confidence gradually and the best way to do that is by ensuring success. If your child is having trouble with a particular skill, break it down and simplify it any way you can until he/she can do it successfully and build from there.
Make sure your child has safe and proper equipment for the season.
Don't compromise safety or your child's chance to succeed.
We can't emphasize enough how important the right equipment is for safety and success. While buying used sports equipment is a good and smart way to save money, please be very careful to be sure it is safe, up to regulations and "fits" your child's size and needs. Your coach and or league can help you decide what to get, and soon here at eteamz we'll begin to provide helpful information so you can make the best equipment decisions.
DON'TS
Don't push your child to play if he/she is not ready.
The key to building confidence is success.
Don't interfere with the coaching process.
Always remember you are a GUEST in your child's sports life. Be sure that your anxiety doesn't cause you to criticize the league or a coach; say you "wished there was more time before the season"; describe how some new kids are going to be playing for the team who shouldn't be allowed to play in the league. Avoid discussing or mentioning these types of concerns around your child. Remember -- do stay POSITIVE!
Don't wait until the last minute...excellence is a habit.
Get going now to help your child eat right, sleep plenty and practice, practice, practice.
Don't make too big a deal out of winning.
Keep it positive and fun above all else.
Game Weigh in Reminders
Remember that this year the league has set definite guidelines regarding the weigh in procedures. Some things to remember are..
1. Make sure all helmets have their warning stickers and are stamped.
2.All players are outfitted with athletic supporters
3. All players have their nails cut
4.All additional equipment must have Dr's note.
5. Gloves and arm pads must have NCAA/NF emblem on them to be used.
6. NO PARENTS ARE ALOUD AT THE WEIGH INS. If parents come the team will not be certified to play that team and will forfeit.
7. Mighty Mites will have tape on their helmets and utilize the 2 platoon system.
8. If a child is not on the certified roster they do not play in addition to any hand written names on the roster.
9. NO PATCH NO PLAY( Pop Warner patch)
10. The league has a zero tolerance on weights this year no"one pound "variance!
11. Both teams will remain at the scales until both teams have been weighed in.
BUSINESS MANAGER GUIDELINES
North Assocation is a VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION!!!
Yes, it is true, and hard to believe. Everyone involved with your Arizona Pop Warner North Association are volunteers. Not one person in the Association, Conference, or Federation receives payment for their time and commitment. If you feel you have something to offer and can make any commitment, please come forward, we need your help! The success of this organization depends on participation by all elements of the community.
Wednesday, March 26
Who we Are
We are the North Association Football League, a charter member of the "Arizona Youth Football Federation", an affiliate of the National Little Scholars Pop Warner Football Program. We are a non-profit organization, whose goals are to inspire boys and girls, as well as their parents, regardless of race, creed, religion or national origin to practice the ideals of sportsmanship, scholarship and physical fitness. Our program strives to make the game fun for kids and parents alike. We stress learning lessons of value both on the field and off, and we strive to teach the value of teamwork, concentration, self-discipline, friendship and good sportsmanship which can be used in all aspects of life.