Basketball Referee Signals and Meaning | Inspirational Basketball (2024)

Start Clock– Beginning with one hand raised above head, the start of the clock is indicated by dropping the raised hand directly towards the floor.

Thirty Second Timeout – To indicate a thirty second timeout has been called by one of the teams, the official will take both hands and place them on top of his shoulders with his elbows out.

Jump Ball – When both players have control over the ball at the same time, it is indicated by both thumbs pointing upwards with arms extended.

Substitution– If a substitute player wishes to enter the game it is indicated by having one hand facing the time keeper, raised in a “stop” manner, and the other hand waving the substitute player into the game.

Player Control Foul(Charge) – One hand on the back of the head and the other pointing in the opposite direction of the play indicates a charge call has been made.

Hand Check –When a player commits a hand check foul, it is signaled by having one arm extended in front of the chest with the fingers up, and the other arm grabbing the wrist.

Blocking– If a defensive player commits a blocking foul the official will have both hands, in fists, touching his hips, and his elbows in tight against his body.

Holding– The holding signal is made by having one arm extended upwards in front of the face, and the other hand grabbing the wrist.

Pushing– To signal a pushing foul, the official will have both hands extended straight in front of him, with his palms facing outward.

Intentional Foul–When a player commits an intentional foul, the official will put both arms above his head and cross them.

Technical Foul– To signal a technical foul has occurred the referee will place both his hands in front of him and put them in the formation of a letter “T”.

Double Foul– If two players have committed a foul at the same time, the referee will put both hands, in fists, extended out towards the sides.

Illegal Hand Use– An illegal hand use foul is signaled by the official putting both of his hands in front of him, at waist level, and grabbing one of his wrists with the other hand.

Traveling– When a player has committed a traveling violation, the official will signal it by placing both of his hands in front of him and moving them in a circle.

Carrying or Palming– In order to signal a palming or carrying violation, the referee will have one hand at the side, flipped over from palm up to palm down.

Double Dribble– The official will signal a double dribble violation has been committed by putting both of his hands in front of him, with palms down, and alternating them up and down, as if dribbling a basketball.

Three Seconds– The official will indicate that a player has committed a three second violation by having three fingers raised, and the hand makes a swiping motion back and forth at the side.

Five Seconds– In order to signal a five second violation the official will have five fingers raised with arm extended upward.

Ten Seconds– The ten second violation is shown when the official has ten fingers raised with both arms extended upwards.

Kicking the Ball– When a player kicks the ball, the referee will have one foot raised in front.

Two Point Basket Scored– When a two point basket is scored, the official will extend one arm parallel to the floor and point with two fingers.

Three Point Basket Scored– The official will extend both arms directly upwards with fingers pointed to signify that a player has scored a Three Point Basket.

Counting– The referee indicates he is counting for a timed violation by moving his hand back and forth from the middle of the chest to straight in front continuously. Each movement represents one second.

Basket Counts– To indicate a basket counts, when a foul has also occurred, the referee will drop his hand from shoulder height directly down.

Basket Does Not Count– To “wave off” a basket, or indicate it does not count because a foul has occurred, the referee will start with both hands at the shoulders, elbows out, and extend hands out directly towards the side.

Bonus Free Throws– When a player at the free throw line is to be awarded a bonus free throw, the official will extend both of his arms out to his sides completely straight and then move one up and down.

Lane Violation– If a player is shooting a free throw and a lane violation occurs, the referee will signal it by raising one of his arms out to his side and holding it there until the free throw is completed.