FIBA Officials’ Hand-Signals (2014 Rules)

Fill-in-the-blank cards covering all main FIBA referee hand-signals: game-clock management, scoring, substitutions/time-outs, informational signals, violations, player-number reporting, personal foul categories, special fouls, penalty administration and free-throw procedures.

An open palm raised by the referee indicates __.

stop the clock

A clenched fist raised signals officials to __ for a foul.

stop the clock

A chopping motion with the hand tells the timekeeper to __.

start the clock

Extending one finger in a flag motion shows a successful __-point basket.

one

Extending two fingers in a flag motion shows a successful __-point basket.

two

Extending three fingers on both arms indicates a successful __-point basket.

three

Holding three fingers extended on one arm only signals a __-point attempt.

three

Crossing forearms in front of the body is the signal for a __.

substitution

Waving an open palm toward the body beckons a substitute __.

in

Forming a large “T” with the hands then showing one finger requests a __ time-out.

charged

Opening both arms with clenched fists indicates a __ time-out.

media

A single scissor-like action with the arms across the chest tells the table to __.

cancel the score / cancel the play

Visible counting with the moving palm shows the referee’s __ count.

visible

Rotating the hand while pointing with the index finger signals a __ reset.

shot-clock

Pointing with an arm parallel to the sideline shows the __ of play/out-of-bounds.

direction

Thumbs up then pointing with the alternating-possession arrow indicates a __ situation.

held-ball / jump-ball

Rotating both fists is the official signal for __.

travelling

Patting motion on the ball-hand indicates __ or double dribble.

illegal dribble

Half-rotating the palm under the ball signals __ (carrying).

illegal dribble

Arm extended showing three fingers indicates a __-seconds lane violation.

three

Showing five fingers signals a __-seconds violation (throw-in/closely guarded).

five

Holding up eight fingers indicates an __-seconds backcourt violation.

eight

Touching the shoulder with fingers signifies a __-seconds shot-clock violation.

twenty-four

Waving an arm across the front of the body signals the ball has __ to the backcourt.

returned

Pointing to the foot indicates a deliberate __ ball violation.

kicked / foot

Displaying two zeros with both hands reports player number __/00.

0

To report numbers 1–5, the referee shows the number with the __ hand.

right

For numbers 6–10, the referee shows five with the right hand and 1–5 with the __ hand.

left

Numbers 11–15 are shown with a clenched right fist (ten) plus units on the __ hand.

left

To indicate number 24, the official shows reverse hand “2” then open hand “__.”

4

Number 78 is indicated by reverse hand “7” then open hands “__.”

8

Number 99 is indicated by reverse hand “9” then open hands “__.”

9

Grasping the wrist downward is the signal for a __ foul.

holding

Placing both hands on the hips indicates a __ foul/illegal screen.

blocking

Imitating a forward push signals __/charging without the ball.

pushing

Grabbing the palm and moving it forward indicates __.

handchecking

Striking one wrist with the other hand signals __ use of hands.

illegal

Clenched fist striking the open palm indicates __ with the ball.

charging

Striking the palm toward the forearm signals illegal __ to the hand.

contact

Swinging an elbow backward indicates __ swinging of elbows.

excessive

Imitating contact to the head signals a __ foul.

hit to the head

Pointing a clenched fist toward the basket of the offending team indicates a __ foul by team in control.

team-control

Raising a clenched fist then showing the number of shots indicates a foul __ the act of shooting.

on

Pointing to the floor after a clenched fist indicates a foul __ the act of shooting.

not on

Waving clenched fists on both hands signals a __ foul.

double

Forming a large “T” with both palms shown signals a __ foul.

technical

Grasping one wrist upward is the signal for an __ foul.

unsportsmanlike

Raising both clenched fists overhead signals a __ foul (ejection).

disqualifying

After a foul without free throws, the official points with the arm __ to the sideline.

parallel

Holding up one finger while reporting indicates __ free throw.

one

Holding up two fingers while reporting means __ free throws.

two

Holding up three fingers while reporting signals __ free throws.

three

The lead official holds __ finger horizontally to administer one free throw.

one

For two free throws, the lead official holds __ fingers horizontally.

two

For three free throws, the lead official shows __ fingers horizontally.

three

Trail/centre officials signal one free throw by extending the __ finger.

index

To indicate two free throws, passive officials hold fingers together on __ hands.

both

Extending three fingers on both hands as a passive official indicates __ free throws.

three