Basketball · Official Basketball Rules

Law 52: Appendix A: Referees' Signals

2 parts · 4 tests · 40 facts · updated 22 October 2026 · markdown

The only valid hand signals: the clock, scoring, substitutions and time-outs, violations, player numbers, fouls and free-throw administration.

52.521Clock, Scoring and Violations

The basic signals and the violation signals.

The hand signals illustrated in the rules are the only valid referees' signals.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A, A.1 · recall
It is strongly recommended to support the signal verbally, in English in international games.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A, A.2 · recall
Stop the clock for a foul is one clenched fist; an open palm stops it for other reasons.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
Substitution is shown by crossing the forearms.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
A charged time-out: form a T and show the index finger.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
Three fingers extended: one arm for the attempt, both arms if it is successful.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
Shot clock reset: rotate the hand with the index finger extended.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
The attempt gets one arm; a score brings up the second.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · applied
Stop for the foul, report, then substitution and beckoning the player in.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · applied
A chop with the hand starts the clock; an open palm or a fist stops it; a thumb up is communication.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · applied

Travelling: rotate the fists.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
Illegal dribble, double dribbling: a patting motion with the palm.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
3 seconds: wave the arm and show 3 fingers.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
Deliberate kick or block of the ball: point to the foot.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
Goaltending/basket interference: rotate a finger, extend the index finger over the other hand making a circle.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
A thumb up is the communication signal.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
Thumbs up, then point in the direction of play using the alternating possession arrow.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
Stop the clock, show the violation, then the direction of play.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · applied
3 seconds, 5 seconds and 8 seconds each show their number.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
A shot clock violation is fingers touching the shoulder; travelling is rotating fists, 3 seconds shows 3 fingers, and backcourt waves an arm.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · applied

Player numbers, the foul signals and free-throw administration.

Number 0: the right hand shows 0; number 00: both hands show 0.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
Numbers 6 to 10: the right hand shows 5 and the left hand shows 1 to 5.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · applied
Numbers 11 to 15: the right hand shows a clenched fist and the left hand shows 1 to 5.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · applied
The reverse hand shows the decade digit first, then the open hand shows the units digit.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
Holding: grasp the wrist downward.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
Blocking (defence) or illegal screen (offence): both hands on the hips.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
Charging with the ball: a clenched fist strikes the open palm.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
Stop, the number (tens then units), then the foul.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · applied
1-5 right hand; 6-10 right 5 and left 1-5; 11-15 right fist and left 1-5; from 16, tens then units.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
Tens first with the back of the hand, then the units.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · applied

Technical foul: form a T, showing the palms (a T with the index finger is a time-out).
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
Disruptive foul: one arm with a clenched fist, then showing 2 at face level.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
Disqualifying foul: clenched fists on both hands.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
Moving the fists is the double foul; still fists mean disqualification.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
Fake a foul: lower the forearm twice; delay of game is waving the forearm horizontally twice.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
After a foul without free throws: point in the direction of play, arm parallel to the side lines.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
The active (lead) official shows 1, 2 or 3 fingers horizontal.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · recall
Foul in the act of shooting: one arm with a fist, then the number of free throws.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · applied
Team control foul: fist towards the offending team's basket, then the direction of play with a fist.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · applied
Flagrant: grasp the wrist upward; downward is holding, a T with palms is technical, two fists is disqualifying.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Appendix A · applied

FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Appendix A (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)