How to Setup a Pop Warner Football Field

The process of setting up a Pop Warner football field takes an eye for detail. Each yard line and out-of-bounds area needs to be lined up perfectly to help referees make measurements or decisions on plays while on the sidelines. The setup of a football field in practice and during games should be undertaken well in advance of team activities and should be done by multiple people for increased safety.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring wheel
  • Rules for Pop Warner field measurements
  • White spray paint
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Instructions

  1. Create a Football Field for Pop Warner Games

    • 1

      Bring the right tools for setting up a Pop Warner field. Basic tools include a measuring wheel, a long tape measure and white spray paint to indicate lines and yard markers. These supplies can be found at any sporting goods store or websites like the Shape Up Shop (see Resources below).

    • 2

      Measure the length and the width of the outer boundaries of the field. While measuring, include the full length of the field, as well as adequate space for both end zones.

    • 3

      Paint the back of the end zones and the side lines with a thick white line of paint. Remember your earlier measurements for the outer limits of the field and paint outward several feet.

    • 4

      Draw a straight line from one sideline to another, every 10 yards. This line should be parallel to the end zone and painted clearly. Use a yard marker on both sides of the field to account for crowning or dips in the field.

    • 5

      Spray a pair of hash marks every yard from one end zone to another as you set up the field. These marks indicate the limits of where the ball can be placed on each down.

    • 6

      Place orange cones or markers at the corners of the end zone and every 10 yards along the sidelines. These markers provide a good visual aid for players and coaches on the other side of the field.

    • 7

      Leave two sets of down and distance markers on the field after setup. Down markers are simple poles with a set of movable numbers which indicate the current down. Distance markers are two poles connected by a chain that spans 10 yards, the length needed for a first down.