Dulles Youth South (DYS) Basketball Referee Program Overview

DYS Basketball has a cadre of referees to officiate our house league and high school house programs.  Referees work as independent contractors and work with the DYS Referee assignor to work games in the local South Loudoun area.  Referees are recruited annually and must attend an orientation session, an on-court training session and sign up to officiate a scrimmage.   DYS also has a mentoring program to facilitate referee development.

Youth Referee Program

DYS has a youth referee program for kids in grades 9-12.  DYS trains our new officials in our 3rd grade Development program by providing new officials with an opportunity to learn and develop their officiating skills.  Mentors are assigned to observe and provide feedback to the youth referees.  As the youth officials gain experience and are evaluated by DYS staff, referees can progress up to officiate higher-level games.

Parents, we need you too!

DYS always need new and experience adult officials to work our games.  We provide training for new adult officials and offer mentoring opportunities for experienced officials.

Referee Requirements

Referees will need to purchase uniforms and whistles.  Uniforms consist of the stripped shirt and solid black pants.  Black sneakers are required. It is recommended that officials purchase a Fox40 whistle.  A uniform vendor will be at the on-court clinics, or uniforms can be purchased online or at a local sporting goods store.  It is recommended that new officials attend the orientation session prior to ordering a uniform.

Schedule

Orientation and Registration:  Orientation and Registration is typically scheduled for late-October/early-November.  Referees are required to attend one of the two sessions.

On Court Training:  On-Court Training is typically scheduled for the third weekend in November.  Returning referees are asked to attend one of the two training sessions.  New referees are encouraged to attend both training sessions.

Scrimmages:  Scrimmage weekend will be the first weekend following Thanksgiving (typically the first weekend in December).  New referees are required to attend one of the elementary scrimmage sessions to receive on-court experience.  Returning referees are asked to participate to knock off the rust and to help mentor the new officials.  Scrimmage signups will be posted at the training session.

Games:  Games run mid-December through late-February and are generally played on Saturdays and Sundays.  A select group of officials will be invited to officiate playoff games through early-March.  Referees on average are typically assigned 1-3 games per weekend.

Referee Pay

Officials are paid at the end of the season.  Paychecks are sent out in mid-March.  Rates per game vary based on the level of play, and a portion of the rates are deducted to cover the referee assignor fee, assigning software fees, and club insurance fees.  The rate scale is provided at the orientation session.  On average, an official who works 1-2 games per weekend can make $250-400 for the season.   More experience officials will be assigned to higher level games, as well as given an opportunity to be a paid mentor for the youth officials.   DYS does not withhold taxes as referees are independent contractors - referees are responsible for taxes.  Per IRS regulations, any official making more than $599 in a calendar year will receive an IRS 1099-MISC income form.

Ready to become a DYS Referee?