Safety Comes First; Every Practice, Every Game
At the Carolina Copperheads, player safety is not a checklist; it’s the foundation of how we operate.
As part of a Pop Warner program, we follow nationally recognized safety standards and implement additional protocols at the local level to protect our athletes in real time.
Our goal is simple: Create a safe, structured environment where kids can learn, compete, and grow with confidence.
Safe Play & Proper Technique
Player safety starts with how the game is taught, and we are committed to teaching the game the right way from day one.
Our coaching staff emphasizes proper tackling and blocking techniques, age-appropriate skill development, gradual progression of contact during the season and reinforcement of fundamentals to reduce injury risk.
Certified & Accountable Coaching
The Carolina Copperheads hold all coaches within our program to clear standards.
All coaches and volunteers are required to be USA Football-certified and to have background checks. Coaches and staff must adhere to Pop Warner rules and safety guidelines, stay in ongoing communication with organization leadership, and are accountable for maintaining a positive, safe environment.
The Copperheads host preseason coaching clinics with coaches from Catawba Ridge High School and Forest Creek Middle School to ensure consistency in teaching football basics from a safety- and terminology-based perspective. More educated athletes are safer athletes.
Our coaches are not just leaders; they are responsible for the well-being of every athlete on the field.
Heat & Weather Safety
We closely monitor environmental conditions at every practice and game using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), a widely recognized, comprehensive measure of environmental heat stress that accounts for temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover.
What This Means for Your Athlete:
- Practice intensity and duration are adjusted based on WBGT readings
- We build mandatory water breaks into every session
- Equipment modifications (such as reduced padding) are implemented when needed
- We pause, or cancel, activities when conditions reach unsafe levels
We don’t guess. We measure, monitor, and act.
Lightning & Severe Weather Protocols
The weather in our area can change quickly, so we take a proactive approach to ensure athlete safety.
This process includes continuous monitoring through weather apps and local systems, the use of on-site lightning detection systems, and the immediate suspension of activity when lightning is detected within a 10-mile radius, with required wait periods before resuming play.
If there is any uncertainty, we err on the side of caution.
Questions About Safety?
We know that safety decisions impact families; our goal is to keep families informed, not guessing.
When you join the Carolina Copperheads, you’re joining a program that takes a structured, proactive approach to safety, follows proven national standards, and puts your child’s well-being above everything else.
If you ever have questions about conditions, protocols, or decisions, we encourage you to reach out. We believe transparency builds trust, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Contact Us: [email protected]