Time Management Signals

These officiating basketball hand signals are used to communicate between the referee
and the time keeper in order to notify starting and stopping of the clock.
Stop Clock – To stop the clock at any point in the game, the referee  will raise one
hand straight over head with his palms facing out and finger tips pointed.

Start Clock – Beginning with one hand raised above head, the start of the clock is
indicated by dropping the raised hand directly towards the floor.

Full Timeout – When an official wishes to signal for a full timeout it is indicated by
two arms spread to the sides forming a “T” shape.
 
Thirty Second Timeout – To indicate a thirty second timeout has been called by one
of the teams, the official will take both hands and place them on top of his shoulders
with his elbows out.

Jump Ball – When both players have control over the ball at the same time, it is
indicated by both thumbs pointing upwards with arms extended.

Substitution – If a substitute player wishes to enter the game it is indicated by having

one hand facing the time keeper, raised in a “stop” manner, and the other hand waving
the substitute player into the game.
Basketball Foul Signals
When a player commits a personal foul, the
referee will give a specific signal to indicate the type
of foul and which player has committed the foul.
Player Control Foul (Charge) – One hand on the
back of the head and the other pointing in the
opposite direction of the play indicates a charge call
has been made.

Hand Check – When a player commits a hand check

foul, it is signaled by having one arm extended in
front of the chest with the fingers up, and the other
arm grabbing the wrist.
Blocking – If a defensive player commits a blocking
foul the offi cial will have both hands, in fists, touching
his hips, and his elbows in tight against his body.

Holding – The holding signal is made by having one

arm extended upwards in front of the face, and the
other hand grabbing the wrist.
Pushing – To signal a pushing foul, the offi cial will
have both hands extended straight in front of him,
with his palms facing outward.

Intentional Foul – When a player commits an

intentional foul, the offi cial will put both arms above
his head and cross them.
Technical Foul – To signal a technical foul has
occurred the referee will place both his hands in front
of him and put them in the formation of a letter “T”.

Double Foul – If two players have committed a foul

at the same time, the referee will
put both hands, in fists, extended
out towards the sides.
Illegal Hand Use – An illegal
hand use foul is signaled by the
offi cial putting both of his hands
in front of him, at waist level, and
grabbing one of his wrists with
the other hand.
Basketball Violation Hand Signals
A violation is a rule which is broken, but it does not
result in a player picking up a personal foul. The
other team is awarded possession of the ball.
Traveling – When a player has committed a traveling
violation, the offi cial will signal it by placing both of
his hands in front of him and moving them in a circle.

Carrying or Palming – In order to signal a palming

or carrying violation, the referee will have one hand
at the side, flipped over from palm up to palm down.
Double Dribble – The offi cial will signal a double
dribble violation has been committed by putting both
of his hands in front of him, with palms down, and
alternating them up and down, as if dribbling a
basketball.

Three Seconds – The offi cial will indicate that a

player has committed a three second violation by
having three fingers raised, and the hand makes a
swiping motion back and forth at the side.
Five Seconds – In order to signal a five second
violation the offi cial will have five fingers raised with
arm extended upward.

Ten Seconds – The ten second violation is shown

when the offi cial has ten fingers raised with both
arms extended upwards.

Kicking the Ball – When a player kicks the ball, the

referee will have one foot raised in front.
Hand signal Indicators
These indicators allow offi cials to communicate
information to the scorer’s table during the game.
 Two Point Basket Scored – When a two point
basket is scored, the offi cial will extend one arm
parallel to the floor and point with two fingers.
Three Point Basket Scored – The offi cial will
extend both arms directly upwards with fingers
pointed to signify that a player has scored a Three
Point Basket.

Counting – The referee indicates he is counting for a

timed violation by moving his hand back and forth
from the middle of the chest to straight in front
continuously. Each movement represents one second.

Basket Counts – To indicate a basket counts, when a

foul has also occurred, the referee will drop his hand
from shoulder height directly down.

Basket Does Not Count – To “wave off” a basket, or

indicate it does not count because a foul has
occurred, the referee will start with both hands at the
shoulders, elbows out, and extend hands out directly
towards the side.

Bonus Free Throws – When a player at the free

throw line is to be awarded a bonus free throw, the
offi cial will extend both of his arms out to his sides
completely straight and then move one up and down.

Lane Violation – If a player is shooting a free throw

and a lane violation occurs, the referee will signal it
by raising one of his arms out to his side and holding
it there until the free throw is completed.
 INDOOR HAND SIGNALS 

 
 
1. Move the hand to indicate the 2. Extend the arm to the side of the
 
direction of service  team that will serve 
    
  

 
 
4. Place the palm of one hand over the
3. Raise the forearms front and back fingers of the other, 
 
and twist them around the body  held vertically (forming a "T") and then
indicate the requesting team
    

 
 
5. Circular motion of the forearms 6. Show a yellow card for warning.
 
around each other Show a red card for penalty
    
  

 
 
7. Show both cards jointly for 8. Show red and yellow cards
 
expulsion  separately for disqualification
    

 
 
9. Cross the forearms in front of the 10. Life the extended arm, the palm of
 
chest, hands open  the hand facing upwards
    
  

 
 
12. Raise both arms vertically, palms
11. Raise eight fingers, spread open  
forward
    

 
 
13. Make a circular motion with the 14. Point the arm and fingers toward the
 
forefinger floor
    
  

 
 
15. Raise the forearms vertically, hands 16. Slowly lift the forearm, palm of the
 
open, palms toward the body  hand facing upwards
    

 
 
17. Raise two fingers, spread open  18. Raise four fingers, spread open 
    
  

 
 
19. Indicate the respective side of the 20. Place a hand above the net, palm
 
net facing downwards
    

 
 
21. Make a downward motion with the 22. Point to the center line or to the
 
forearm, hand open  respective line
    
  

 
 
24. Brush with the palm of one hand the
fingers of the other, held 
23. Raise both thumbs vertically  vertically. USAV: Brush fingers of
opposite hand once over palm of
vertical hand
    

 
 
25. Cover the wrist with a yellow card
26. Place hands together (palms facing
(warning) and with a red  
each other) overhead
card (penalty)
    
  

 
 
Lines 1. Point down with flag   Lines 2. Raise flag vertically
    

 
 
Lines 4. Wave flag over the head and
Lines 3. Raise flag and touch the top
 point to the antenna or the 
with the palm of the free hand
respective line
    
   

 
Lines 5. Raise and cross both arms and
  
hands in front of the chest 
    
BEACH HAND SIGNALS | Back to Top

   
1. Move the hand to indicate the 2. Extend the arm to the side of the
 
direction of service  team that will serve
    
  

   
4. Place the palm of one hand over the
3. Raise the forearms front and back fingers of the other,
 
and twist them around the body  held vertically (forming a "T") and then
indicate the requesting team
    

   
5. Show a yellow card for warning  6. Show a red card for penalty
    
  

 
 
8. Show red and yellow cards
7. Show both cards jointly for expulsion  
separately for disqualification
    

 
 
9. Cross the forearms in front of the 10. Life the extended arm, the palm of
 
chest, hands open the hand facing upwards
    
  

 
 
12. Raise both arms vertically, palms
11. Raise five fingers, spread open  
forward
    

 
 
13. Make a circular motion with the 14. Point the arm and fingers toward the
 
forefinger floor
    
  

 
 
15. Raise the forearms vertically, hands 16. Slowly lift the forearm, palm of the
 
open, palms toward the body hand facing upwards
    

 
 
17. Raise two fingers, spread open  18. Raise four fingers, spread open
    
  

 
 
19. Indicate the relevant side of the net 20. Place a hand above the net, palm
 
with the corresponding hand  facing downwards
    

 
 
21. Make a downward motion with the 22. Point to the court under the net or
 
forearm, hand open  to the respective line
    
  

 
 
24. Brush with the palm of one hand the
23. Raise both thumbs vertically  fingers of the other, held
vertically
    

   
26. USAV: Make a circular motion of the
25. Cover the wrist with a yellow card forearms with closed fists
(warning) or with a red card   around each other. Subs will only be
(penalty) used in Triples, Quads and 
Six-Person play
    
  

 
 
Lines 1. Point down with the flag   Lines 2. Raise the flag vertically
    

 
 
Lines 3. Raise the flag and touch the top Lines 4. Wave flag over the head and
with the palm of the   point to the antenna or the
free hand respective line
    
   

 
Lines 5. Raise and cross both arms and
hands in front of the chest
BASKETBALL
HAND
GESTURES
VOLLEYBALL
HAND
GESTURE