Pop Warner bans kickoffs in 3 youngest age divisions

LANGHORNE, Pa. (AP) — Pop Warner said today it is eliminating kickoffs in its three youngest football divisions, another safety-focused rules change sure to be noticed and discussed at higher levels of the game.

The ban will begin this fall. Instead of kickoffs, the ball will be placed at the 35-yard line to start each half and following scores in the Tiny Mite (ages 5-7), Mitey Mite (7-9) and Junior Pee Wee (8-10) divisions.

The organization, which began in 1929 and has 225,000 athletes enrolled in football ages 5-15, said it will review the results of the rules change after next season as it considers implementing the same ban in older age divisions.

Pop Warner also announced a further reduction in contact time during practice, meaning the players will not be hitting, blocking or tackling each other as much. The 33 percent rule that was implemented in 2012 is being lowered, to 25 percent, for all divisions.

"We are constantly working to make the game safer and better for our young athletes, and we think this move is an important step in that direction," said Jon Butler, Pop Warner's executive director. "Eliminating kickoffs at this level adds another layer of safety without changing the nature of this great game."

The NFL has wrestled with kickoffs as well in hopes of reducing high-speed collisions by players that can lead to injuries. In 2011, kickoffs were moved from the 30 to the 35-yard line, dramatically increasing the number of touchbacks, where the ball was not returned by the receiving team. Earlier this year, the NFL approved a one-year trial in which the ball will be placed at the 25-yard line after touchbacks on kickoffs instead of at the 20, added incentive for the receiving team.