The information on this page is applicable to Arlington Soccer's in-house youth referees working games 2nd-6th grade only. Referee assignors Tarey Houston and Jesse Rosenthall have their own payment rates and policies.

Important Contact Info

• Arlington County Weather Line – 703-228-4715
• Arlington Soccer Rec Referee Assignor - whistle@arlingtonsoccer.com

Picking Games & the Game Report Form

Referees must report game scores using the referee game report form, which changes season by season. Games normally become visible 30 days in advance of when they are played. Games are divided by level, and referees can only see games they can self-select. There are limits on the number of games a referee can self-select each day, and on how many games a referee can do each day. 

The FALL 2025 referee game report form is here! 

Rules

• Arlington Soccer rules for Rec
• Arlington Soccer rules for ADP
• Rule Chart for Arlington Soccer Association Recreational Referees (updated 2022)

Please review the rules at the start of each season, print a copy of the appropriate Age-Group Rules and have them with you at the games. Please also keep Rec rules chart in your bag for easy referral.

Runaway Scores: Please note that the Runaway Score Rule is in effect. Please see the rules for each age-group's specific rules. If a game at 3rd grade or above reaches a 6-goal differential, the referee should summon the coaches and help them come to any arrangement that allows the game to continue in a more-competitive manner, be that by swapping players, mixing teams, adding extra goalies -- whatever the coaches feel is best to allow all players to continue to enjoy the game. This is detailed in the rules for each grade level.

USSF Grassroots Licensing
Interested in taking your USSF Grassroots? If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a certified soccer referee, please view the current listings of referee clinics by going to:  www.vadcsoccerref.com, and click Clinic Listing in the upper left column.  Look for the new Grassroots online combo clinics.  You will need to register as a New User, then sign up for the referee clinic.

Pay

For each 10 games reffed in a season, a $20 bonus will be issued. If you ref 20 games in a season, the bonus is $50!
ALSO, if you ref 10 games in a season, Arlington Soccer will reimburse the cost of your USSF Grassroots license or renewal.

(Again -- this offer is for Arlington Soccer's in-house referees working games 2nd-6th grades only; this offer does not apply to games done for Tarey Houston or Jesse Rosenthall.)

Uniform

Starting in the spring of 2026, USSF-certified referees will be expected to be in full uniform, jersey tucked in, socks pulled up. Non-USSF-certified referees will be expected to wear the jersey tucked in. All referees should always have a watch/non-phone timer, a whistle, and pen/paper to record scores. 

Promotions

Non-USSF referees start able to do only 2nd grade games; USSF referees start with 3rd/4th grade games. In order to be promoted to do higher-level games, an experienced referee (ie: with at least 8 games) can request to be mentored. The referee mentor will want to see you do a challenging game, so make sure you choose a good one to be evaluated on! Referees will be given areas to work on, and it may well take multiple mentoring sessions before a referee is ready to advance to higher-level games.