BASIC HAND SIGNALS

• 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 this signal 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 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 official will have both hands, in fists, touching his hips, and his elbows in tight against his body.
• Holding


  This signal is made by having one arm extended upwards in front of the face, and the other hand grabbing the wrist.
• Pushing 


  To signal, the official 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 official will put both arms above his head and cross them.
• Technical Foul


  To signal this it 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

  It is signaled by the official putting both of his hands in front of him, at waist level, and grabbing one of his wrists with the other hand.
• Illegal Hand Use

  It is signaled by the official 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 this violation, the official 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 this violation, the referee will have one hand at the side, flipped over from palm up to palm down.
• Carrying or Palming


  In order to signal this violation, the referee will have one hand at the side, flipped over from palm up to palm down.
• Double Dribble


  The official will signal this 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 official will indicate that a player has committed this violation by having three fingers raised, and the hand makes a swiping motion back and

  forth at the side.
• Three Seconds


  The official will indicate that a player has committed this 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 official will have five fingers raised with arm extended upward.
• Ten Seconds


  This violation is shown when the official 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 officials to communicate information to the scorer’s table during the game
• Two Point Basket Scored


  When a two point basket is scored, the official will extend one arm parallel to the floor and point with two fingers.
• Three Point Basket Scored 


  The official will extend both arms directly upwards with fingers pointed to signify that a player has scored a Three Point Basket.
• Three Point Basket Scored 


  The official 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 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 official 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.