Basketball Referees Signals

Question 1

STOP THE CLOCK

Answer 1

Raised open palm

Question 2

STOP THE CLOCK FOR FOUL

Answer 2

Raised one clenched fist

Question 3

START THE CLOCK

Answer 3

Raise. Chop with hand sideway.

Question 4

1 POINT

Answer 4

1 finger, ‘flag’ from

wrist

Question 5

2 POINTS

Answer 5

2 fingers, ‘flag’ from

wrist

Question 6

3 POINTS

Answer 6

3 fingers extended
One arm: Attempt
Both arms: Successful

Question 7

SUBSTITUTION

Answer 7

Stop the clock. Cross forearms

Question 8

BECKONING-IN

Answer 8

Open palm, wave

towards the body

Question 9

CHARGED TIME-OUT

Answer 9

Stop the clock. Form T,

show index finger

Question 10

MEDIA TIMEOUT

Answer 10

Stop the clock. Open arms with

clenched fists

Question 11

CANCEL SCORE, CANCEL PLAY

Answer 11

Scissor-like action with arms,

once across chest

Question 12

VISIBLE COUNT

Answer 12

Counting while moving the palm

Question 13

COMMUNICATION

Answer 13

Thumb up

Question 14

SHOT CLOCK RESET

Answer 14

Rotate hand,

extend index finger

Question 15

DIRECTION OF PLAY
AND/OR
OUT-OF-BOUNDS

Answer 15

Point in direction of
play, arm parallel to
sidelines

Question 16

HELD BALL/JUMP BALL

SITUATION

Answer 16

Stop the clock. Both thumbs up, then point
in direction of play
using the alternating
possession arrow

Question 17

TRAVELLING

Answer 17

Stop the clock. Rotate fists

Question 18

ILLEGAL DRIBBLE:

DOUBLE DRIBBLING

Answer 18

Stop the clock. Patting motion with

palm

Question 19

ILLEGAL DRIBBLE:

CARRYING THE BALL

Answer 19

Stop the clock. Half rotation with palm

Question 20

3 SECONDS

Answer 20

Stop the clock. Arm resting position then extend, show 3 fingers

Question 21

5 SECONDS

Answer 21

Stop the clock. Show 5 fingers

Question 22

8 SECONDS

Answer 22

Stop the clock. Show 8 fingers

Question 23

24 SECONDS

Answer 23

Stop the clock. Fingers touch shoulder up and down

Question 24

BALL RETURNED TO BACKCOURT

Answer 24

Stop the clock. Wave arm front of body

Question 25

DELIBERATE KICK OR | BLOCK OF THE BALL

Answer 25

Stop the clock. Point to the foot

Question 26

HOLDING

Answer 26

Stop the clock (Foul). Grasp wrist downward

Question 27

BLOCKING (DEFENSE), ILLEGAL SCREEN (OFFENSE)

Answer 27

Stop the clock (Foul). Both hands on hips

Question 28

PUSHING OR CHARGING WITHOUT THE BALL

Answer 28

Stop the clock (Foul). Imitate push

Question 29

HANDCHECKING

Answer 29

Stop the clock (Foul). Grab palm and forward motion

Question 30

ILLEGAL USE OF HANDS

Answer 30

Stop the clock (Foul). Strike wrist

Question 31

CHARGING | WITH THE BALL

Answer 31

Stop the clock (Foul). Clenched fist | strike open palm

Question 32

ILLEGAL CONTACT | TO THE HAND

Answer 32

Stop the clock (Foul). Strike the palm | towards the other forearm

Question 33

HOOKING

Answer 33

Stop the clock (Foul). Move lower arm backwards

Question 34

EXCESSIVE SWINGING | OF ELBOW

Answer 34

Stop the clock (Foul). Swing elbow | backwards

Question 35

HIT TO THE HEAD

Answer 35

Stop the clock (Foul). Imitate the contact to the head

Question 36

FOUL BY TEAM IN | CONTROL OF THE BALL

Answer 36

Stop the clock (Foul). Point clenched fist towards basket of offending team

Question 37

FOUL ON THE ACT OF SHOOTING

Answer 37

One arm with clenched fist, followed by indication of the number of free throws

Question 38

FOUL NOT ON THE ACT OF SHOOTING

Answer 38

One arm with clenched fist, followed by pointing to the floor

Question 39

DOUBLE FOUL

Answer 39

Wave clenched fists | on both hands

Question 40

TECHNICAL FOUL

Answer 40

Stop the clock (Foul). Form T, showing palms

Question 41

UNSPORTSMANLIKE | FOUL

Answer 41

Grasp wrist upward

Question 42

DISQUALIFYING FOUL

Answer 42

Clenched fists on both hands

Question 43

FAKE A FOUL

Answer 43

Raise the lower arm | twice

Question 44

ILLEGAL BOUNDARY LINE CROSSING ON A THROW-IN

Answer 44

Wave arm parallel to boundary line (in last 2 minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime)

Question 45

IRS REVIEW

Answer 45

Rotate hand with horizontal extended index finger

Question 46

``` AFTER FOUL WITHOUT FREE THROW(S) ```

Answer 46

Point in direction of play, arm parallel to sidelines

Question 47

AFTER FOUL BY TEAM IN CONTROL OF THE BALL

Answer 47

Clenched fist in direction of play, arm parallel to sidelines

Question 47

1 FREE THROW

Answer 47

[Reporting to Table] Hold up 1 finger [Active Referee (Lead)] 1 finger horizontal [Passive Referee] Index finger

Question 48

2 FREE THROWS

Answer 48

[Reporting to Table] Hold up 2 finger [Active Referee (Lead)] 2 finger horizontal [Passive Referee] Fingers together on both hands

Question 49

3 FREE THROWS

Answer 49

[Reporting to Table] Hold up 3 finger [Active Referee (Lead)] 3 finger horizontal [Passive Referee] 3 fingers extended on both hands