Practice for 2010 will begin on Monday, August 2, 2010. The first day of school for the 2010-2011 Metuchen school year will be Tuesday, September 8,  2010.  Flag football will practice less often than our tackle teams.  While practice is very important for all ages, Metuchen Pop Warner believes that practice at the Flag level should be flexible.  As children get older and move onto tackle squads, practice becomes vitally important.

AUG 2 nd – SEP 4^th - practices are usually scheduled from Monday – Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm for a total of 10 practice hours for the week. No team may schedule more than 10 hours of practice per week before Labor Day.  

SEP 8^th – OCT 31^st - practices will be cut back to a maximum of 3 nights a week or a total of 6 practice hours for the week. The specific nights will be announced during August. No team may schedule more than 6 hours of practice per week after Labor Day.  

The season consists of 8 regular season games.  Flag and Mighty Mites are eligible to play one extra game per season.  Older teams jr pee pee and above, with possibility of playoff and bowl games can continue to play up until Thanksgiving so Parents should consider this.

The season will continue through the end of November if the team qualifies for Regionals or through mid-December if the team qualifies for Nationals.  

ATTENDANCE  

Please make an effort to schedule your family vacations during June and July. Though we allow some flexibility for pre-arranged vacations, August is a critical month where skill sets are being evaluated and positions determined.  

COMPETITIONS AND TRAVEL  

Although both Flag and Mitey Mite levels are competitive there are no playoffs. These levels are for teaching and learning the game of football. All other levels will have a chance to make the playoffs.  

The top two teams in their respective divisions will compete in the Raritan Valley Conference (RVC) Championship games. The winner will advance to the Regional Championship games and then will have a change to move on to Nationals. The losers of the RVC Championship games will then compete in the Garden State Games against the best New Jersey Pop Warner teams.     

EQUIPMENT AND GEAR     

Each Metuchen tackle football player will be fitted and issued the following gear:       

All these items are the property of Metuchen Pop Warner and must be maintained and returned at the end of the season to help qualify for the refund of your WorkBond. 

Flag football players will be give a mouthpiece, practice t-shirt, and game uniform.

Each player will need to provide/purchase the following personal items in order to completely ready to take the field:  

Football shoes with non-metallic cleats  

Game socks

Football Girdle  

Athletic supporter and Protective Cup  

Mouth-guard (extras)

Practice top (mesh shirt that goes over the shoulder pads) 

If any player is missing any piece of their gear come practice and game time, they will not be allowed to take the field out of regard for their own safety  

CARE AND CLEANING  

Please follow the manufacturer's guidelines regarding the proper care and washing of uniforms:  

• Do not dry clean jerseys or pants  
• Do not use bleach  
• Do not use any fabric softener, this causes the screen printed numbers to separate from the fabric  
• Launder jerseys inside out, use high water level in machine, mild detergent, and cold or lukewarm water only.  
• Uniform may be presoaked using Biz or Whisk if needed but should be washed as soon as possible so stains don't set in.  
• It is best to hang uniform, but may be put in the dryer on "air only" setting.    NO HEAT!       
• Your cooperation in the cleaning and care of the uniforms will make them last longer, and keep our teams looking GREAT!