GOOD FUN-Above, Paul Moore, in white, runs past Dante Daniells, No. 5, and Graham Matera, No. 22, during a recent practice. The Gold Coast Youth Football League's Mighty Mite program is geared for youngsters 6-8 years old. Bottom left, Jack Hanson, in yellow, tries to bring down Paul Sanders. When Teresa Moore signed her 7-year-old up for football, she knew her son was mature enough to learn the intricacies of a sport that typically targets older boys.

"He picked up on the technicalities right away," said the Simi Valley mom, whose son, Paul, plays fullback for the Simi Valley Vikings' Mighty Mite Golds. "Paul is very athletic and sees the game as a whole."

Moore is among many supportive parents who stand on the sidelines to watch their boys-6, 7 and 8 years old-endure scrimmages, Hell Week, grueling drills and other aspects of a game known for its technicalities.

While most football programs start with 8-year-olds, Simi Valley is home to the Mighty Mites, which targets players as young as 6.

Wearing full football gear in the afternoon heat, the boys spend five days a week at Berylwood School scrimmaging and learning the game.

Because football is so technical, "people didn't think we could get 6-year-olds to understand the game," said Butch Marshall of Simi Valley, who coaches the Mighty Mite Golds along with Devon Bell, Rich Bilchik, Ed Breen, Ty Hanson and Andrew Tozinski.

Launched in 2005, the Gold Coast Youth Football League's Mighty Mite program began with a focus on participation and fun.

The Mighty Mites began with four teams and grew to 11 teams this year, with about 80 players now involved. In 2005, the Mighty Mite Golds posted a 6-1 record in the Gold Coast Youth Football League conference.

While older boys typically study a playbook, the Mighty Mites are literally physically moved through each play. In other words, the boys are put on the field and walked through a play several times in a row, Marshall said.

It's all about repetition. "The more reps, the better they get," he said.

Kathy Kalkwarf of Simi Valley said her 8-year-old, Mitch, along with all the young players, benefit in many ways.

"Mentally, the boys learn about discipline, friendship, goal

setting and the importance of teamwork," said Kalkwarf, whose son plays fullback and safety.

The boys also understand that each player has a specific role in the success of the team, Kalkwarf said.

"The coaches really reinforce this early on and they make a point to let the parents know that they are going to be strict and expect undivided attention and respect from the boys."

Parent Shari Bunker said any organized team sport enhances a child, both physically and mentally, by giving them self-confidence, discipline, personal responsibility and a desire to succeed.

"Football is a very physically demanding sport and it has taught

my boys that they can run faster and be stronger," said Bunker, whose 6-year-old son, Cole, and 8-year-old, Grant, play for the Mighty Mite Golds.

Ty Hanson, a defensive coach whose son, Jack, is on the team, said football changed the way Jack felt about himself-especially when the boy plays for his baseball team.

"What I noticed the most was the way he carried himself on the baseball field," Hanson said. "He was no longer just one of the kids, but someone who had gone through something that separated him from some of the other kids. He grew up a little. He's still a little boy . . . but that one year of football sparked a little magic in his confidence."