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Rugby · Laws of the Game

Law 24: Match Official Signals

3 parts · 3 tests · 30 facts · updated 28 October 2026 · markdown

The referee's primary and secondary signals, other signals, and the assistant referees' flags.

24.241Primary Signals

Scrum, free-kick, penalty, advantage, try, no try and drop-out.

Test 1Primary signalsTake a test

  1. Shoulders parallel to the touchline, arm horizontal, pointing towards the team to throw in.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  2. Shoulders parallel to the touchline, arm bent square at the elbow, upper arm pointing to the non-offending team.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  3. Arm outstretched, waist high, towards the non-offending team, for about five seconds.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  4. For a try or penalty try the referee stands with back to the dead-ball line and raises an arm vertically.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  5. Arms crossed then uncrossed in front of the body.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  6. For a 22-metre or try line drop-out, the arm points to the relevant line.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  7. All three primary signals are given with shoulders parallel to the touchline.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  8. Arm angled up, pointing towards the non-offending team: penalty.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · applied

  9. Waist high, horizontal, angled up, vertical.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  10. The try signal is given with the back to the dead-ball line.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

24.242Secondary Signals

Knock and throw forward, held up, scrum and lineout faults, tackle offences and foul play.

Test 1Secondary signalsTake a test

  1. Arm outstretched with open hand above the head, moving backwards and forwards.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  2. The hands gesture as if passing an imaginary ball forward.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  3. The space between the hands shows the ball was not grounded.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  4. Free-kick signal: the foot is raised and touched.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  5. Both fists clenched in front at waist level, making a lifting gesture.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  6. Both hands close to the chest as if holding an imaginary ball.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  7. The hand moves horizontally in front of the neck.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  8. A rotating index finger above the head: scrum wheeled more than 90 degrees.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · applied

  9. The secondary signal shows why; the primary shows the restart.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  10. Knee level, chest, neck, above the head.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

24.243Other and Assistant Referee Signals

Time off, TMO, medical signals, the offside choice and the assistant referees' flags.

Test 1Other and assistant referee signalsTake a test

  1. Time off: arms form a T shape.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  2. Extended index fingers draw a rectangle representing a television screen.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  3. Arms crossed above the head: bleeding, the player may be temporarily replaced.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  4. Both arms raised above the head indicates a doctor and/or stretcher is needed.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  5. Abducted arm flexes and extends to touch the head.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  6. Offside choice: one arm as for the penalty, the other pointing where the scrum may be taken instead.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  7. Assistant referees raise their flags when the ball goes over the crossbar.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · recall

  8. Hand above head showing the path of the ball: throw at lineout not straight.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals · applied

  9. The blood signal allows a temporary replacement.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals; Law 3.25 · recall

  10. The rectangle signal asks for the TMO.

    Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals; Law 6.15 · recall

Sources

World Rugby Laws of the Game, Rugby Union 2026, Law 24 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the law book, not reproduced)

  • World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals28
  • World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals; Law 3.251
  • World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals; Law 6.151