Pop Warner Spirit teams have participated in soccer games for decades (Pep Squads, Majorettes, etc.); however, cheerleading was not officially introduced until the 1970s.
Today, thousands of young people participate in Pop Warner cheerleading and dance groups across the United States.
The Cheer and Dance program offers teams a wide range of opportunities for young athletes of all skill levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced.
Pop Warner has established one set of spiritual rules with JAMZ, Pop Warner’s education development partner and original developer of the Youth Cheer and Dance Alliance (YCADA).
Along with YCADA, Pop Warner can provide online education 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.) Jump). Pop Warner also offers additional competition opportunities in Sideline Performance Cheer.
Through ongoing training, Pop Warner’s coaching staff provides basic instruction, drills and preparation for both soccer games and competition.
Teams participate on the sidelines of soccer games at home and most away games up to the Pop Warner Super Bowl. In addition to game day, teams participate in qualifying contests (league and regional) all the way up to the Pop Warner National Championship.
The Pop Warner National Fun and Dance Championships (started in 1988) are now held in December at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.