BASKETBALL
HAND SIGNALS
1. GAME CLOCK SIGNALS
Stop the 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.
Stop the Clock for Foul - One clenched fist, other palm down
pointing to offender's waist.
Start the Clock - Beginning with one hand raised above
head, the start of the clock is indicated by dropping
the raised hand directly towards the floor.
2. TIME OUT AND SUBSTITUTION SIGNALS
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.
Beckoning-in - Open palm, wave towards the body
Charged Time-out - is a halt in the play. Teams usually
call timeouts at strategically important points in the
match, or to avoid the team being called for a delay of
game-type violation, such as the five-second rule
in basketball.
Media Time-out - Media timeouts are typically reserved for
televised state tournament games only. In the
National Basketball Association (NBA), teams are allowed
seven timeouts, each of 1 minute, 15 seconds. There is no
limit on substitutions. In overtime periods, each team is
allowed two timeouts.
3. INFORMATIVE SIGNALS
Cancel Score, Cancel Play - his is one of
those basketball referee signals to disallow the
preceding basket or play.
Visible Count - Scissor-like action with arms, once across
chest. Counting while moving the palm.
Communication – signal of thumbs up to communicate.
Shot Clock Reset – referee rotates hand with the extended
index finger.
Direction of Play and/or Out-of-Bounds - When the ball goes
out of bounds (for any reason), or a player with possession
of the ball steps out of bounds – the referee will designate
the spot where the ball went out of bounds.
Held ball/Jump ball Situation - When both players have
control over the ball at the same time, it is indicated
by both thumbs pointing upwards with arms extended. –
When an offensive player and a defensive player gain
possession of the ball at the same time – the referee will
blow the whistle. The referee will then look at the
possession arrow (at the scorers table) and award possession
to the team that the direction is pointing (possession is on
a rotating basis).
4. Violations
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.
Travelling - When a player has committed a traveling
violation, the official will signal it by placing both
of his hands in front of him and moving them in a
circle. Travelling is the illegal movement of one foot or
both feet beyond the limits outlined in this article, in any
direction, while holding a live ball on the playing court.
Illegal Dribble: Double Dribbling- The official 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.
Illegal Dribble: Carrying the Ball - 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.
5 seconds - There are time restrictions that a player has
when the ref hands them the ball to pass the ball into play.
The player passing in the ball has five seconds to pass the
ball in to another player. If the player fails to pass the
ball in within 5 seconds, the ref will blow the whistle (5-
second violation), and the ball is awarded to the other
team.
8 seconds - When your opponent makes a basket, your team has
eight seconds to get the ball in play and past the half
court line – if your team fails to do this within eight
seconds, the ball is awarded to the other team.
Ball Returned to Backcourt - Once the Offensive team has
passed the half court line, they cannot: a) dribble and/or
b) pass back over the half court line. If this occurs, a
“Backcourt” violation will be called by the referee and
possession of the ball will go to the other team.
5. FOULS
Holding - The holding signal is made by having one arm
extended upwards in front of the face, and the other
hand grabbing the wrist. Holding is illegal personal
contact with an opponent that interferes with his freedom of
movement. This contact (holding) can occur with any part of
the body.
Blocking (Defense)- 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. A “Blocking Foul” occurs when a defender
uses their body and makes contact with an offensive player
with the ball.
Pushing or Charging without the Ball - To signal a pushing
foul, the official will have both hands extended
straight in front of him, with his palms facing
outward. A “Pushing Foul” occurs when a defender pushes an
offensive player or bumps into the body of an offensive
player.
Hand Checking - 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.
Illegal Use of Hands - An illegal hand use foul 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. This is a foul called when a
defender slaps, hacks, or smacks an offensive player with
the ball.
Charging with the Ball - A “Charging Foul” occurs when an
offensive player runs into (or over) a defensive player who
already has position (the defender must first establish
position). Other types of player control fouls are when a
dribbler uses an elbow and hits a defender, or excessive
physical contact by an offensive post player trying to gain
position.
Excessive Swinging of Elbows - A player shall not be allowed
excessive and/or vigorous swinging of the elbows in swinging
motion (no contact) when a defensive player is nearby and
the offensive player has the ball. The ball is awarded to
the opposing team on the sideline, near- est the spot of the
violation but no nearer the baseline than the foul line
extended.
Hit to the Head - an infraction of the rules more serious
than a violation which a player hits the head of the
opponent.
Foul by Team in Control of the Ball - A team control foul is
a common foul committed by a player when his team is
in control of the ball
After Foul by Team in Control of the Ball – An after team
control foul is a foul committed by a player when
his team is in control of the ball
Foul not on the Act of Shooting - 'take foul' at mid court
prior to the start of upward motion by the offensive player.
6. Special Foul
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.
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”.
7. FOUL PENALTY ADMINISTRATION (REPORTING TO TABLE)
An unsportsmanlike foul shall be charged on the offender. Free
throw(s) shall be awarded to the player who was fouled.
1 Free Throw - If the foul is committed on a player in the
act of shooting: the goal, if made, shall count
2 Free Throws - If the foul is committed on a player not in
the act of shooting
3 Free Throws - If the foul is committed on a player in the
act of shooting and the goal is not made
8. SCORING SIGNALS
1 Point - 1 finger, 'flag' from wrist
2 Points - 2 fingers, 'flag' from wrist
3 Points - 3 fingers extended
o One arm: Attempt
o Both arms: Successful
