# Law 52: Appendix A: Referees' Signals (FIBA Official Basketball Rules)

Basketball · Law 52: Appendix A: Referees' Signals · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/basketball/laws/law-52-appendix-a-referees-signals/)

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

## 52.521 Clock, Scoring and Violations

The basic signals and the violation signals.

### Test 1: Clock, scoring and the table

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

### Test 2: Violation signals

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

## 52.522 Numbers and Fouls

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

### Test 1: Player numbers and contact fouls

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

### Test 2: Special fouls and free throws

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

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

Take the tests: https://insporta.app/try?utm_source=book&utm_medium=referral