Author Topic: Mighty Mites Defense  (Read 288 times)

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Strategy

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Mighty Mites Defense
« on: September 30, 2019, 08:09:36 am »
So Saturday I couldn't play certain defenses because they weren't allowed. In Mighty Mites, why am I not allowed to play 4 down linemen with a Linebacker 3 yards from the line of scrimmage and a saftey 5 yards from the line of scrimmage? I was told that I had to play the Lineback 5 yards from the line of scrimmage and the safety 7 yards then I corrected the ref and then he said no you have to play LB no deeper than 3 yards and no closer than 3 yards but the safety has to play 5 yards from the linebacker not line of scrimmage. So which is it because the rule book doesn't say that at all.

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Director of Officials

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Re: Mighty Mites Defense
« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2019, 09:01:46 am »
On page 40-42 of the rulebook is where you will find where players can play in Mighty Mite. 
Starting on page 44-47 you will also see diagrams of where the offense and defense can play. 

Here is a letter on the position clarifications that Chad sent out a couple of years ago to the officials - sorry we should probably just post this every year as we have new coaches and officials that come in yearly:

CORNERBACKS
Per 2019 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 2019 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 2019 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