ARTICLE I - Purpose

Section 1:  The purpose of the INFC Mighty Mite Football Program is to educate football players on the fundamentals of football in a semi-competitive atmosphere. 

ARTICLE II - General Information

Section 1.  INFC Mighty Mite Football Program will provide participation trophies for all members’ players.

Section 2.  All members that have Mighty Mite programs must advertise for the recruitment of first and second grade players.

Section 3.  Organizations may only recruit players from their territory. 

Section 4.  INFC Mighty Mite Football Program will use equivalent of Wilson K-2 footballs (composite or leather; no rubber).

ARTICLE III - Coaches and Parent Rules

Section 1.  Every parent will read and sign a NYSCA Parents Code of Ethics prior to any participation.  It will be the responsibility of the association to have the signed documents on file.

Section 2.  Each association will be responsible for the conduct of all their coaches.  Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their parents.

Section 3:   Every coach must attend an INFC coach’s orientation meeting.  Failure to comply will result in a $200.00 team fine.  No games will be played until such fine is paid.

Section 4:  There will only be three practices allowed per week.  Each practice can only be a maximum of 1-½ hours long from the scheduled start time.  This includes warm up, drills, training, and cool down (everything).

Section 5:  Only one coach from each team will be allowed on the field during game play.

Section 6:  There will be no coaching while play is in progress.  The coach must be a minimum of 15 yards back from the line of scrimmage; there will be no communication with a player when the play starts. The play is in progress at the snap of the ball.  No Exceptions!  There will be only one warning from the official!  If there is a second offense, the official will eject that coach from the playing field to the sidelines.

Section 7:  If there is a delay of the game, by the coach on the field, while addressing an official on the field, that team will be charged a time out.

ARTICLE IV - Drafts

Section 1:   An INFC Commissioned officer or an appointed committee member of INFC Mighty Mite Football Program must supervise all drafts.

Section 2:  Protects – For new-formed teams there are four (4) protects.  For existing teams there are two (2) protects.

Section 3:  All second grade players will be drafted first, and after second grade is complete then all first grade players will be drafted.  This is to ensure equal amounts of grades per team. Trade after the draft must be of the same grade.  Any and all player trades made after the selection of players must be approved by the INFC monitoring representative prior to finalization of the draft and team rosters.

Section 4:  All players in the first grade will move up to play second grade together, even if the coach has changed. 

Section 5:  Within INFC Mighty Mite Football Program it will be the parent or coaches request to remove a child from a team and place him/her into the draft.  Otherwise, the player remains with the previous Mighty Mite team. 

Section 6: When a player or team advances to the third grade level all INFC new team rules apply.

ARTICLE V - Players Participation Rules

Section 1: Rosters - A team must not carry more than 15 players.

Section 2:  Player Restrictions

A. Players 8 years old prior to September 1, may not play in INFC Mighty Mite Football Program, they must move up to third grade football.

B. There will be no playing up for a 1st or 2nd grade player unless the age or weight rule affect that player.

C. Players must be residing within their boundaries as outlined by INFC.

D. Maximum playing weight is 110 pounds.

E. Maximum playing weight for advancing the ball is 65 pounds.

F. Striper weight limits as follows: 

1. One striper: Over 65 to 85 pounds. 

2. Two striper: Over 85 to a maximum of 110 pounds. 

G. Players within the specified weight will have their helmets striped accordingly.  With a contrasting color tape, horizontally at the back base of the helmet 3-inches in length. 

H. All weigh-ins must follow the official INFC weigh in procedures. 

Section 3:  Participation Rule 

A. Each player must play 2 quarters of uninterrupted play, playing at least 1 quarter in each half, both offense and defense.  There will be no substitutions within a quarter other than for injury.  Once injured player recovers, player must immediately re-enter the game to fulfill the quarter started. If player is late for weigh-in then that player will not play until second half and only be allowed to play one quarter. 

B. At weigh-in, each team must furnish four official INFC Mighty Mite player participation rosters (press box, opposing coach, weigh in administer, and self) for the game.  This roster must be the official INFC Mighty Mite roster.  The game will not proceed without each team having the opposing team’s player participation Roster! 

Penalty:  a team not present at the weigh in area 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the game will be penalized by the suspension of the head coach for the first half of the ball game.  He must sit in the stand and will not be allowed to coach.  He will not be allowed to use radios or make contact with the team or a coach by any means what so ever. 

C. PENALTY- The head coach proven to be in violation of the participation rule will be assessed a severe (suspension or season removal) penalty issued by INFC. 

ARTICLE VI - Game Rules

SECTION 1:  Oklahoma High School Rules will be utilized in this league with the exception of the INFC Rules contained within.  

A. Game Time - 8 minute quarters will be utilized for all Mighty Mite League play. 

1. This is a continuous running clock, stopping only for Touchdowns, Time Outs, Injury, and Extra Points.  

2. A team is allowed 35 seconds between each play.  Time starts at the placement of the ball by the official.

3. Two minute warning will be given at the end of the 4th quarter and regular regulation play will be in effect during this time (no running clock).  

4. Each team is allowed two time outs per half. 

B. Punts or Field Goals  

1. Punting team must notify the official that they are punting or kicking a field goal. 

2. No fake punts or field goals. 

3. Punter must be 65lbs or less. 

4. No rushing the punter or field goal kicker. 

5. When hiking the ball to punt or for a field goal, if the ball touches the ground, the punter will be allowed to punt the ball.  The ball cannot be advanced other than the punt. 

6. No quick kicks. 

C. Punts or Field Goals Returns 

1. There are no punt returns.  

2. The ball is downed where it first touches the ground.          

D. Fumbles - A fumble can be recovered and advanced, utilizing the ball advancement rules 

E. Ball Placement -The ball is to be placed on the 40-yard line. 

1. At the start of the game. 

2. After each touchdown, extra point. 

3. At the beginning of the second half. 

4. After a made or missed field goal attempt.   

Exception: After a field goal, if the ball is below the 40-yard line the ball will be placed back at the 40-yard line.  If the ball is above the 40-yard line, the ball will be placed at the original line of scrimmage. 

F. Scoring –The score will be kept on the board to ensure the mercy rule is obeyed.  There will be no standings turned in or kept during the season.   

Points -  

A. Six points for a touchdown. 

B. One point for an extra point by running. 

C.  Two points for an extra point by kicking. 

D. Three points for a field goal. 

E. Mercy Rule - At the time a team reaches a 28 point spread, the score will freeze and INFC mercy rule procedures apply. 

F. Tournaments – INFC will elect preseason and/or post season activities.  In addition, INFC will determine the format for said activities.  In the event that INFC chooses a post-season tournament, it will be a single elimination format. 

ARTICLE VII - Defense

DEFENSE - All teams must run the same defense as designated by diagram above until the snap of the ball. 

1. No more than two players on the line of scrimmage.  both must be in the down position. 

2. Linebackers must be at least 5 yards from the line of scrimmage until the snap of the ball.  

3. Linebackers must line head up with offensive guard, as per diagram. 

4. Nose guard must line up two yards back from the line of scrimmage head up with the center. 

5. Center is protected: the nose guard must line up two yards back from the line of scrimmage head up with the center and can go to the left or right of the center. 

6. Cornerbacks must be at least 8 yards out from the ball, and 2 yards back from the line of scrimmage.   

7. Safety must line up 10 yards back from the line of scrimmage, and can move in a lateral position until the snap of the ball. 

When the ball is between the five-yard line and the goal the  

8. safety can line up with the linebacker’s and behind the nose guard.  This is not mandatory! 

9. Defensive lineman must line head up with the offensive player not in the gaps. 

10. No more than (2) two stripers are allowed on the field from each team at one time. 

11. A two striper must participate as a down lineman. 

Article VIII - Offense VI

OFFENSE - All teams must run the same offense as designated by diagram above until the snap of the ball. 

1. Must have five players on the line of scrimmage, all in the down position. 

2. No more than two backs in the backfield at least two yards deep from the line of scrimmage.  (Not counting the quarterback) 

3. Quarterback can start in the shotgun formation directly behind center no farther than two yards back from the ball.

4. Backs can split out as receivers, no farther than the end, in “I” formation; however, no more than one back on each side of the quarterback no stacking sides.   

5. End position can be two stripers as long as they are in a down position. 

6. Ends cannot split out, but they can go out for a pass after the snap, following the ball advancement rules. i.e. No Stripers 

7. Maximum splits on the line are fingertip to fingertip of the lineman. 

8. No player shall be in motion before the snap of the ball.  

ARTICLE  IX - CONDUCT 

Section 1: Any assault, verbal abuse, profanity, or display of UN-sportsmanlike conduct by a coach, parent, participant, club official, or guest at any INFC Mighty Mite Football Program game will not be tolerated.  Intentionally running up the score will be classified as UN-sportsmanlike conduct.  Determination of such will be made and ruled on at the discretion of the INFC Mighty Mite Football Program committee and/or the INFC Commission.  

Section 2: Any alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs or the consumption or use of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs will not be tolerated by anyone at an INFC Mighty Mite Football Program function.  

Section 3: The penalty for any infraction will be one or more of the following: 

• Fine up to $500.00.
• Suspension from a game or games.
• Lifetime suspension from any INFC Football Event, or Game.
• Probation.