# Law 24: Match Official Signals (World Rugby Laws of the Game)

Rugby · Law 24: Match Official Signals · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/rugby/laws/law-24-match-official-signals/)

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

## 24.241 Primary Signals

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

### Test 1: Primary signals

- Shoulders parallel to the touchline, arm horizontal, pointing towards the team to throw in. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- 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)
- Arm outstretched, waist high, towards the non-offending team, for about five seconds. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- 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)
- Arms crossed then uncrossed in front of the body. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- For a 22-metre or try line drop-out, the arm points to the relevant line. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- All three primary signals are given with shoulders parallel to the touchline. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- Arm angled up, pointing towards the non-offending team: penalty. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- Waist high, horizontal, angled up, vertical. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- The try signal is given with the back to the dead-ball line. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)

## 24.242 Secondary Signals

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

### Test 1: Secondary signals

- Arm outstretched with open hand above the head, moving backwards and forwards. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- The hands gesture as if passing an imaginary ball forward. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- The space between the hands shows the ball was not grounded. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- Free-kick signal: the foot is raised and touched. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- Both fists clenched in front at waist level, making a lifting gesture. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- Both hands close to the chest as if holding an imaginary ball. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- The hand moves horizontally in front of the neck. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- A rotating index finger above the head: scrum wheeled more than 90 degrees. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- The secondary signal shows why; the primary shows the restart. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- Knee level, chest, neck, above the head. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)

## 24.243 Other and Assistant Referee Signals

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

### Test 1: Other and assistant referee signals

- Time off: arms form a T shape. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- Extended index fingers draw a rectangle representing a television screen. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- Arms crossed above the head: bleeding, the player may be temporarily replaced. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- Both arms raised above the head indicates a doctor and/or stretcher is needed. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- Abducted arm flexes and extends to touch the head. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- 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)
- Assistant referees raise their flags when the ball goes over the crossbar. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- Hand above head showing the path of the ball: throw at lineout not straight. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals)
- The blood signal allows a temporary replacement. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals; Law 3.25)
- The rectangle signal asks for the TMO. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Match official signals; Law 6.15)

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)

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