MM Philosophy

The Mighty Mite program is designed to teach the fundamentals of football while emphasizing sportsmanship, teamwork, commitment, and self-confidence. Coaches must lead by example. Patience and positive encouragement are required. Profanity and negative behavior from players, coaches, or spectators will not be tolerated.

MM Age & Weight

• Age: 6 & 7 years old on or before 11/1
• Weight Limit: 120 lbs (123.9 max with digital scale)
• No play downs from Division 1 allowed

MM Pre-Game Weigh In

• Occurs at halftime of prior game or 30 min before 1st game
• Rosters must be exchanged; no roster = forfeit (scrimmage still played)
• Players allowed 3 lbs for gear
• One weigh-in attempt (players can remove gear for re-weigh on site)
• Late arrivals pre-coin toss may weigh in and play 1st half
• Late after coin toss = may weigh in at half and play 2nd half

MM Playing Time

• 30+ players: 6 plays
• 25–29: 8 plays
• 19–24: 10 plays
• 18 or fewer: 12 plays
• Non-compliance = 1 game coach suspension and possible forfeiture
• Players refusing to play must remove helmet

MM Special Rules

• Controlled scrimmage format
• 48 total plays (12 per side, 2x each)
• Ball starts on 50-yard line; no first downs
• 3 scores per series = sub QB & RBs (interior line only after)
• Refs must be certified
• 2 coaches allowed on field per team

MM Offense

• Formations must have 2 TEs, 1 QB, and standard backfield
• No QB sneaks, rollouts, or naked bootlegs
• No backfield motion
• Only QB can handoff or pass
• Fumbled snap or handoff = dead play, counts as one of 12
• Offensive huddles limited to 1 minute
• No blocking at/below knees

MM Defense

• Standard 4-4-3 alignment only
• All players must line up head-on (no slants/gaps/loops)
• No blitzing
• LBs, corners, FS at 3, 5, 7 yards — no more, no less

MM Penalties

Offense:

• False start: if advantage gained — replay down
• Holding/block in back (if it affects play): spot reset, play counts
• Facemask or below-knee block: spot reset, play counts

Defense:

• Offsides (if advantage gained): dead play, replay down
• Facemask: play counts, replay that numbered play

D1 Age & Weight

• Age: 8 and 9 years old on or before 11/1 of the current calendar year
• Weight Limit: 125 lbs (128.9 max with digital scale)
• Only players listed on the official, OCYFL board-approved roster are eligible to play

D1 Pre-Game Weigh In

• Weigh-ins occur at halftime of the previous game or 30 minutes before the first game
• Each town must provide a medical-grade scale
• Rosters must be exchanged at weigh-in — no roster = forfeit (game played as scrimmage)
• Players are allowed 3 lbs for equipment (helmet off, pads allowed to be removed at weigh-in)
• Late players may weigh in pre-coin toss and play 1st half; after = halftime weigh-in only
• Ineligible players must be identified and remove helmet/pads

D1 Playing Time

• 30+ players: minimum 6 plays per player
• 25–29 players: 8 plays
• 19–24 players: 10 plays
• 18 or fewer players: 12 plays
• Players refusing to play must be reported and remove helmet
• Non-compliance: coach suspended 1 game + possible game forfeiture (OCYFL board review)

D1 Time & Scoring

• Four 12-minute quarters
• 8-minute halftime (cheerleaders may perform — away team goes first)
• Touchdown – 6 points
• Field Goal – 3 points
• Safety – 2 points
• Kick PAT – 2 points
• Run/Pass PAT – 1 point

D1 Offense

• Follow local high school formations; no unbalanced lines
• OL splits must be fingertip-to-fingertip or less
• All backs (except QB) must line up 3 yards off the ball unless in motion
• No blocking below the knees — 15-yard penalty
• Jersey number does not dictate player eligibility

D1 Defense

• Follows NYS high school rules
• During kicks: no player may line up over center — must be 3 yards off the ball

D1 Special Teams

• No kickoffs. After scores and at half, ball placed at 35
• PATs: run/pass from 3-yard line or kick from 7 yards back
• No fake kicks allowed
• Punts: either punt or spot ball 25 yards (inside 50 = half distance)

D1 Mercy Rules

• Activated when a team leads by 18+ points
• Trailing team gets ball at 50-yard line (35 in playoffs) after scores & to start 2nd half
• High-scoring team must sub QB, RBs, WRs on next offensive series
• Starters can return only as interior linemen if roster < 17
• No trick plays, hurry-up offense, or fake kicks
• Failure to comply = loss of next home game + coach suspension (1+ games)
• Town president must file official report with OCYFL board

D1 Overtime

• Follows NYSHSAA overtime rules
• 3-minute break, coin toss to determine order or field side
• Each team starts at opponent's 20-yard line with 4 downs
• If still tied, repeat from 10-yard line until winner is determined
• 1 timeout per team per OT round
• Penalties carry over; turnovers end possession
• If defense scores, game ends

D1 Fields & Equipment

• Field must be regulation high school size and fully marked
• Chains on home sideline, operated by home team volunteers

Required Equipment:

• NOCSAE-certified helmet
• Shoulder pads
• Thigh, knee, tail, and hip pads
• Rubber cleats only
• Athletic cup
• Mouthpiece with strap
• No tinted visors or modified equipment

D1 Coaching Rules

• Up to 10 credentialed staff allowed on sideline
• Must wear ID and town coach shirt
• 2 coaches allowed on field during timeouts
• Ineligible coach on field = 15-yard misconduct penalty
• Ejected coaches = automatic 1-game suspension
• Injury reports must be submitted by the following day

D1 Referees

• Each town must supply 2 referees
• If no refs show within 30 minutes = forfeit + scrimmage played
• If only one ref arrives, game delayed 30 minutes; if no 2nd, game is scrimmage
• All games must be played — protests are reviewed by OCYFL Executive Board

D2 Age & Weight

• Age: 10 & 11 years old on or before 11/1
• Weight Limit: 142 lbs (145.9 max with digital scale)
• Only players listed on the official, OCYFL board-approved roster are eligible to play

D2 Pre-Game Weigh In

• Weigh-ins occur at halftime of the previous game or 30 minutes before the first game
• Each town must provide a medical-grade scale
• Players are allowed 3 lbs for equipment
• Only one weigh-in attempt is permitted (players may remove gear and re-weigh immediately)
• Late arrivals before coin toss may weigh in and play 1st half; after coin toss = 2nd half only
• No roster = forfeit (game still played as a scrimmage)

D2 Playing Time

• 30+ players: 6 plays minimum
• 25–29 players: 8 plays
• 19–24 players: 10 plays
• 18 or fewer players: 12 plays
• Players refusing to play must remove helmet
• Non-compliance: 1-game coach suspension and possible game forfeiture

D2 Time & Scoring

• 4 quarters, 12 minutes each
• 8-minute halftime (away team cheer performs first)
• Touchdown – 6 points
• Field Goal – 3 points
• Safety – 2 points
• Kick PAT – 2 points
• Run/Pass PAT – 1 point

D2 Offense

• Standard high school formations
• No unbalanced lines
• OL splits: fingertip-to-fingertip or less
• All backs except QB must line up at least 3 yards deep unless in motion
• No blocking below the knees — 15-yard penalty
• Jersey number does not determine eligibility

D2 Defense

• Follows NY State HS rules
• On special teams: player over center must line up 3 yards off ball

D2 Special Teams

• Kickoffs, punts, PATs follow high school rules
• PAT/FGs: defense may rush — no fake kicks allowed

D2 Mercy Rules

• Activated when a team leads by 18 or more points
• Trailing team receives ball at 50-yard line (35 in playoffs) after scores and at 2nd half start
• High-scoring team must sub QB, RBs, WRs next offensive series
• Starters may only return as interior linemen (if under 17 rostered)
• No hurry-up, no trick plays, no fake kicks
• Violations = loss of home game + coach suspension (1+ games)

D2 Overtime

• Follows NYSHSAA OT rules
• 3-minute break, coin toss for possession or field side
• Start at opponent’s 20-yard line, 4 downs to score or first down
• If tied after 1 round, restart from 10-yard line
• 1 timeout per OT round
• Penalties carry over; turnovers end possession
• If defense scores, game ends

D2 Fields & Equipment

• Regulation high school field with full markings
• Chains on home sideline (operated by home volunteers)

Required Equipment:

• NOCSAE-certified helmet
• Shoulder pads
• Hip, thigh, knee, and tail pads
• Rubber cleats only
• Athletic supporter/cup
• Mouthpiece with strap
• No tinted visors or altered gear

D2 Coaching Rules

• Max 10 credentialed staff per sideline
• All staff must wear ID and town coach shirt
• 2 coaches allowed on field during timeouts
• Ineligible coach on field = 15-yard penalty
• Ejections = minimum 1-game suspension
• Injury reports must be filed by the next day

D2 Referees

• Each town must supply 2 referees per home game
• No refs within 30 minutes = forfeit, game played as scrimmage
• Only 1 ref = delay up to 30 minutes; if no second, scrimmage
• Protested games still played — OCYFL board reviews results

D3 Age & Weight

• Age: 12 and 13 years old on or before 11/1 of the current calendar year
• 14-year-olds are eligible only if they turn 14 on or after August 1
• No players may enter 9th grade during the season
• Weight Limit: 166 lbs (169.9 lbs max with digital scale)
• Only players listed on the official, OCYFL board-approved roster are eligible to play

D3 Pre-Game Weigh In

• Weigh-ins occur at halftime of the previous game or 30 minutes before the first game
• Each town must provide a medical-grade scale
• Rosters must be exchanged at weigh-in — no roster = forfeit (game played as scrimmage)
• Players are allowed 3 lbs for equipment (helmet off, pads can be removed at weigh-in)
• Scale limit: 169 lbs on medical, 169.9 on digital
• Late players may weigh in pre-coin toss and play 1st half; after = halftime weigh-in only
• Ineligible players must be identified and remove helmet/pads

D3 Playing Time

• 30+ players: minimum 6 plays per player
• 25–29 players: 8 plays
• 19–24 players: 10 plays
• 18 or fewer players: 12 plays
• Players refusing to play must be reported and remove helmet
• Non-compliance: coach suspended 1 game + possible game forfeiture (OCYFL board review)

D3 Time & Scoring

• Four 12-minute quarters
• 8-minute halftime (cheerleaders may perform — away team goes first)
• Touchdown – 6 points
• Field Goal – 3 points
• Safety – 2 points
• Kick PAT – 2 points
• Run/Pass PAT – 1 point

D3 Offense

• Follow local high school formations; no unbalanced lines
• OL splits must be fingertip-to-fingertip or less
• All backs (except QB) must line up 3 yards off the ball unless in motion
• No blocking below the knees — 15-yard penalty
• Jersey number does not dictate player eligibility

D3 Defense

• Follows NYS high school rules
• During kicks: no player may line up over center — must be 3 yards off the ball

D3 Special Teams

• Kickoffs, PATs, punts follow high school rules
• PAT/FGs: defense may rush; no fake kicks allowed

D3 Mercy Rules

• Activated when a team leads by 18+ points
• Trailing team receives ball at 50-yard line (35 in playoffs) after each score & to begin 2nd half
• High-scoring team must sub QB, RBs, WRs on next offensive series
• Starters can only return as interior linemen if roster < 17
• No trick plays, hurry-up offense, or fake kicks
• Failure to comply = loss of next home game + coach suspension (1+ games)
• Town president must file official report with OCYFL board

D3 Overtime

• Follows NYSHSAA overtime rules
• 3-minute break, coin toss to determine order or field side
• Each team starts at opponent's 20-yard line with 4 downs
• If still tied, repeat from 10-yard line until winner is determined
• 1 timeout per team per OT round
• Penalties carry over; turnovers end possession
• If defense scores, game ends

D3 Fields & Equipment

• Field must be regulation high school size and fully marked
• Chains on home sideline, operated by home team volunteers

Required Equipment:

• NOCSAE-certified helmet
• Shoulder pads
• Thigh, knee, tail, and hip pads
• Rubber cleats only
• Athletic cup
• Mouthpiece with strap
• No tinted visors or modified equipment

D3 Coaching Rules

• Up to 10 credentialed staff allowed on sideline
• Must wear ID and town coach shirt
• 2 coaches allowed on field during timeouts
• Ineligible coach on field = 15-yard misconduct penalty
• Ejected coaches = automatic 1-game suspension
• Injury reports must be submitted by the following day

D3 Referees

• Each town must supply 2 referees
• If no refs show within 30 minutes = forfeit + scrimmage played
• If only one ref arrives, game delayed 30 minutes; if no 2nd, game is scrimmage
• All games must be played — protests are reviewed by OCYFL Executive Board