I will be the first to admit that Shaffer5 was told that the cornerbacks could play back more than 3 yards from the line of scrimmage but the envelope has been pushed enough that it was decided to just enforce the rules as they have been written for the past several years.  If you would like to submit a rules change or wording change to the rules, that will have to be voted on by the board during the off-season.   

Below you will find rules clarifications as they apply to Mighty Mite formations specifically pertaining to positioning of defensive Cornerback, Linebacker and Safeties upon the snap of the ball.  I have also included additional clarification on Quarterback positioning when receiving a snap while in shotgun formation. 

CORNERBACKS
Per 2016 INFC Rulebook: 
2. Cornerbacks must be no closer than 3 yards from an Offensive End and must be set and positioned 3 yards back from the line of scrimmage.
• Cornerbacks are set with a minimum & maximum horizontal distance of 3 yards from the Line of Scrimmage (LOS).
• Cornerback minimum distance from the last defensive player on the LOS is no less than 3 yards.
• Cornerbacks are allowed to move laterally at any distance further than 3 yards from their last defensive player towards the sideline.
• Cornerbacks are permitted to move within 3 yards of the LOS but only at such time their defense is within 5 yards of their own goal line.  With a LOS of 5 yards or less from their own goal line, cornerbacks can move to within 1 yard of the LOS.
• Cornerbacks are not to be executing any football moves once the offensive line is set.

LINEBACKER(S)
Per 2016 INFC Rulebook: 
5. May have one or two linebackers that must line up 3 yards back from the line of scrimmage, can move laterally between the center and the end.  If there are two linebackers they must line up on opposite sides of the ball.
• Linebackers must be set at a depth approximately 3 yards from the LOS.
• Linebackers are not permitted to move vertically and cannot be further than 3 yards from the LOS once the offensive line is set.
• Linebackers are permitted to move within 3 yards of the LOS but only at such time their defense is within 5 yards of their own goal line.  With a LOS of 5 yards or less from their own goal line, linebackers can move to within 1 yard of the LOS.
NOTE:  Cornerbacks and Linebackers should form a line 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage on every play excluding goal line situations

SAFETY
The Safety must line up no closer than 5 yards from the line of scrimmage and can move laterally.
• The safety may be positioned as far back as needed beyond the standard 5 yard distance.
• The safety may move closer than the standard 5 yard distance but only when their defense is with 5 yards from their endzone.

QUARTERBACK (IN SHOTGUN FORMATION)
Per 2016 INFC Rulebook: 
5. Quarterback can start in the shotgun formation directly behind the center no farther than two yards back from the ball.
• Quarterback must be set, aligned vertically and positioned directly behind the center.
• Quarterback (QB) to ball measurement of 2 yards is intended to mean the distance between extended arms and fingertips of the QB and the rear tip of the football as placed at the LOS. 

It is interpreted the distance between the extended hands of the QB to the ball can reach a perceived difference of up to 1 yard. 
Quarterback cannot receive a shotgun snap at a perceived distance of greater than 2-3 yards.  This is to say the offense gains a perceived advantage when QB’s receive snaps at distances of 5 to 7 yards. 

Any variation of the above incidents can result in the offending team receiving a penalty in line with the NFHS definition of illegal formation.

These rules have not been institutionalized as a point of emphasis so long as coaches and the teams they represent maintain the nature and spirit of the game.  Please send these clarifications to those officials who will be assigned to INFC Mighty Mite contests.  We also ask you continue to urge the officials to use discretion for the players when making judgments as to the exact distance of alignment on these positions before penalizing offending teams.  Coaches should use this same discretion. 

Chad Lott
INFC Commissioner


If you have any questions you are welcome to call me at the number below:
Bobby Kelley
INFC Director of Officials
918-607-2055 cell

I agree Pigskin that there is going to be alot of "misinterpretation" of the rule but, I think the "misinterpretation" is covered under the "at the refs discretion" part. My viewpoint never was that the anyone other than the Defensive Line could be inside the 3 yd line but, that you could play back. Our CB'S are always at 3 yds. And I will get clarification on this question when I call but, per the diagram you can play a LB at 3 yds from Center to End and have a safety move laterally to the opposite side of where the linebacker is thus staggering them correct?  I still don't think the entire issue has been addressed that was initially brought up by the people who took it to this level either. They had an issue with how deep a QB was (which is addressed here) and also how far backs were split which again is something that is going to change from game to game depending on who the refs are. If the backs are behind the guards but, playing say "half the guard" I don't see many refs at this age stopping the game to realign them. Maybe they will I don't know. We all understand this is about the kids & their safety and I am 100% in agreement with that but, I have a hard time telling my boys these games don't matter because "this is only mighty mites". These kids go out and work hard everyday they practice, we are out of town sometimes to places 1-2 hours away to play a physical sport at 8 am in the rain, cold, heat, & sleet every other week. They take big hits. They play through the sniffles, through soreness, through being tired, & sometimes still have to go home to homework. They risk injury to play a game we are saying doesn't count. That just doesn't sound fair to me. However with all that being said I am just thankful for the opportunity to be here with our boys. We will play by whatever rules are placed in front of as well. Honestly these clarifications affect us little to none but, I do like to know them as they are intended. I am going to call to speak with Bobby this morning as I think it will be much more enlightening for me. Thank you for addressing these issues in a timely matter either way and best of luck to everyone the rest of the year. So far through the scrimmages and our 1st two games we have had excellent refs as well.

Yea I am lost on which rule you are referring too but, I understand. We started in Kindergarten and this has never really been an issue for us either. We run the same defense we did against you guys last yr. I don't recall their being any issues for either of us in that game. We have a couple of folks who have decided that it needed to be addressed I guess and so it has. Now I just want to be clear on what we are and are not allowed to do.

the rule book used to be vague about MM formations, but it is crystal freaking clear now.  if you are a MM coach, read it and you will know.  it has diagrams with arrows and everything.  not sure what else INFC can do.

btw, you cannot run a 4-2.  you can run a 3-2 or a 4-1.  you can either move a G or DE back to LB (doesn't matter which one).

here's a shortcut for D alignment (except for the goal line D exceptions):

S - 5+ yds deep from LOS anywhere between DEs.

LB(s) - exactly 3 yds deep from LOS anywhere between DEs (if you run a 3-2, one LB must be on each side of ball)

CBs - exactly 3 yds deep from LOS and 3+ yds out from outside shoulder of DE

And NOBODY can move forward, backwards or sideways once the offense gets set.

So if a you get lined up perfect and a kid sneezes a flag should be thrown LOL!
Sorry guys just had to chime in. We have our own MM system but 100% good post.

So if a you get lined up perfect and a kid sneezes a flag should be thrown LOL!
Sorry guys just had to chime in. We have our own MM system but 100% good post.

Lol yes sir Coach. Some would have it be that way.

Lol