Bilingual · FIBA officials' signals
After the whistle, the hands finish the sentence: first the timer is told to stop the clock, then the call is shown as a violation or a foul, and finally the number and penalty go to the table. This page follows that order, and each signal comes with the motion, its Chinese and English name, and when you will see it.
Based on the FIBA 2024 official rules · Checked 29 Aug 2026
THE ORDER OF A CALL
An open palm stops the clock for a non-foul reason, such as a violation, out-of-bounds ball or jump-ball situation. A raised fist means a foul. Free throws then depend on the foul type, shooting status and team-foul count.
Holding, blocking, pushing or charging; or travelling, three seconds, twenty-four seconds.
The number first, then the penalty: how many free throws, or a throw-in instead.
These signals are made for the timer and the scorer's table: they decide when the game clock stops and starts, and also communicate game-administration events such as time-outs and substitutions.
The motionOne arm raised straight up with the palm open.
What it meansMade with the whistle for a violation, a ball out of bounds or a jump-ball situation. The timer stops the clock on this signal.
The motionOne arm raised straight up with a closed fist.
What it meansThe fist says this is a foul, not a violation. Someone is about to be charged with a personal foul.
The motionThe raised arm chops down once.
What it meansOn a throw-in or after a free throw, the arm drops the moment the ball is legally touched on the court, and the game clock starts.
The motionIndex finger extended, the arm circling above the head.
What it meansTells the operator to reset the shot clock as required: normally to 24 seconds after a change of possession, or to 14 after the same team regains control in the frontcourt following a shot that touched the ring.
Rule 29
The motionOne hand held flat, the index finger of the other touching its palm to form a T.
What it meansA coach may request a time-out at the table; when the next time-out opportunity begins, the official whistles, forms the T and points to the team that requested it.
Rule 18
The motionThe forearms crossed in front of the chest.
What it meansAfter the table's buzzer the official whistles and crosses both forearms to show that a substitution is granted at this dead ball.
Rule 19
The motionOpen palm, beckoning towards the body.
What it meansAfter a substitution is granted, the official beckons the substitute onto the court.
The motionArm extended, open hand swinging once per second.
What it meansThe official counts seconds where everyone can see: five for a throw-in, five when closely guarded, five for a free throw and three in the restricted area.
During and after a shot, officials show the table whether it is a three-point attempt, how many points count, and whether a score is cancelled.
The motionOne finger extended, with the forearm held still while the wrist flags once.
What it meansA successful free throw, worth one point, shown towards the scorer's table.
The motionTwo fingers extended, with the forearm held still while the wrist flags once.
What it meansA successful shot from inside the three-point line, worth two points.
The motionOne arm raised with the thumb, index and middle fingers extended.
What it meansMade as the shot leaves the hand from behind the three-point line: if it goes in, it counts three. You see it while the ball is still in the air.
Rule 16
The motionOne arm with thumb, index and middle fingers marks the attempt; after it scores, both arms rise with the same three fingers extended.
What it meansThe three-point shot is good. The one-arm attempt signal comes first, and both arms go up only once it drops.
Rule 16
The motionBoth arms swung across the chest once, like scissors.
What it meansThe score or play does not count. Common examples are a shot released only after a foul was called or time expired, interference, or a corrected call.
A violation is not charged as a foul. It normally gives the opponents a throw-in nearest the violation. Officials usually stop the clock first, then show which violation occurred.
The motionBoth fists rotating around each other in front of the body.
What it meansIllegal movement of the feet while holding the ball, such as lifting the pivot before the dribble starts, or a third step after the gather.
Rule 25
The motionBoth hands patting up and down, palms facing the floor.
What it meansA second dribble after the first one ended, for example after two hands touch the ball or the ball comes to rest in one hand.
Rule 24
The motionOne hand at the side of the waist, rotating half a turn from palm down to palm up.
What it meansThe hand goes under the ball and carries it: the ball comes to rest in the hand and the dribble continues anyway.
Rule 24
The motionThree fingers extended while the arm waves.
What it meansAn attacker stayed longer than three seconds in the opponents' restricted area while their team controlled a live ball. Both feet must leave to reset the count.
Rule 26
The motionArm extended, five fingers showing.
What it meansThe throw-in was not released within five seconds, or a closely guarded player did not pass, shoot or dribble within five.
Rule 17 / 27
The motionEight fingers shown with both hands.
What it meansThe team controlled a live ball in its backcourt and did not get it into the frontcourt within eight seconds.
Rule 28
The motionFingers bent, tapping one's own shoulder.
What it meansThe shot-clock period expired before the ball left the hand, or the shot missed the ring entirely.
Rule 29
The motionOne open hand sweeping across the front of the body towards the backcourt.
What it meansThe ball had reached the frontcourt and the same team caused it to return to the backcourt and touched it first there.
Rule 30
The motionArm down, index finger pointing at one's own foot.
What it meansDeliberately kicking the ball or blocking it with any part of the leg is a violation; accidental leg contact is not.
Rule 13.2
The motionArm extended parallel to the sidelines, pointing towards the basket the team in possession is attacking.
What it meansAfter the ball goes out, the official stops the clock and then shows which team throws in, by pointing the way they attack.
Rule 23
The motionBoth thumbs point up first, followed by pointing in the direction selected by the alternating-possession arrow.
What it meansUsed for a held ball and other jump-ball situations, such as a ball lodged between ring and backboard or uncertainty over who last touched it. Except for the opening jump ball, possession follows the alternating-possession arrow.
Rule 12
The official first raises a fist to stop the clock, then shows the foul type, and finally reports the number and penalty. Free throws also depend on the foul type, team-foul count and whether the player was shooting.
The motionOne hand slapping the wrist of the other.
What it meansThe defender hit the ball-handler on the arm or wrist. The most common personal foul there is.
Rule 33
The motionBoth hands on the hips.
What it meansContact from a defender who had not established a legal position first, cutting off the opponent's path. Attackers can be called for it too.
Rule 33.9
The motionOne hand grasping the other wrist and pulling it down.
What it meansGrabbing an opponent's body, arm or jersey and restricting their freedom of movement.
Rule 33.14
The motionBoth hands miming a push away from the body.
What it meansShoving an opponent off their position with hands or body, including off-ball pushes and boxing out with contact.
Rule 33.15
The motionA clenched fist striking the open palm of the other hand.
What it meansThe ball-handler ran into a defender's torso who already held a legal guarding position. Offensive foul, no free throws.
Rule 33.8
The motionA closed fist on a straight arm, pointing towards the basket the offending team attacks.
What it meansA player fouled while their team controlled the ball. An ordinary team-control foul brings no free throws and a nearby throw-in for the opponents; any separate greater penalty is administered under its own rule.
Rule 41.2.2
The motionOne forearm held across the chest while its elbow swings backwards once.
What it meansSignals excessive elbow swinging. Without contact it is listed as technical-foul behaviour; with contact, the official judges the contact as a personal, unsportsmanlike or disqualifying foul as appropriate.
Rule 36.2.1
The motionBoth arms bent and raised, with clenched fists waved across in front of the forehead.
What it meansTwo opponents commit qualifying contact fouls against each other at about the same time. Each is charged and no free throws are awarded; play resumes with the entitled team, after a score, or as a jump-ball situation, depending on what was happening.
Rule 35
The motionOne forearm is lowered twice while the other arm stays relaxed.
What it meansSignals that a player faked being fouled to sell contact that did not occur or was exaggerated.
The motionBoth hands open, one flat above the other to form a T.
What it meansA non-contact behavioural foul, such as dissent, delay or offensive conduct. The opponents take one free throw, then play normally resumes with the team that controlled or was entitled to the ball at the interruption.
Rule 36
The motionOne hand grasping the raised wrist of the other arm.
What it meansContact outside the spirit of a legitimate play, such as pulling back a player on a fast break. The award is normally two free throws, three for a missed three-point try, or one after a made basket, followed by a frontcourt throw-in.
Rule 37
The motionBoth fists raised.
What it meansA flagrant unsporting action. The disqualified person must go to the dressing room or leave the building.
Rule 38
After the foul signal the official turns to the table and reports the offending player's number and the penalty. These few motions decide whether free throws or a throw-in follows.
The motionFacing the table, the number is shown with the fingers: tens first, then units.
What it meansReports who committed the foul. Number 24 is shown as two fingers, then four.
The motionArm raised with one finger extended.
What it meansA foul on a successful shot, or a technical foul: one attempt.
Rule 34.2.2 / 36.3.2
The motionArm raised with two fingers extended.
What it meansUsually two attempts after a foul on a missed two-point shot; also two when an unsportsmanlike foul occurs away from the act of shooting.
Rule 34.2.2 / 37.2.3 / 41.2.1
The motionArm raised with three fingers extended.
What it meansA missed three-point shooting attempt with a foul: three attempts.
Rule 34.2.2 / 37.2.3
The motionOpen palm parallel to the sidelines, pointing the direction of play.
What it meansNo free throws for this foul: the other team throws in. That is the outcome of a team control foul, and of any ordinary foul before the fifth team foul.
Rule 34.2.1 / 41.2.2
EASILY CONFUSED
These four pairs are the ones spectators mix up most. Tell them apart and you will know in advance whether free throws, a throw-in or a personal foul is coming.
AOpen palm: the clock stopped for a non-foul reason, such as a violation, out-of-bounds ball or jump-ball situation. The stop signal itself charges no personal foul.
BClosed fist: a foul. Someone is charged, and the number and penalty are reported next.
AOne flat hand plus an index finger: a charged time-out. The official then points to the team that asked for it.
BTwo open hands forming the T: a technical foul. The opponents take one free throw, then play normally resumes from the interruption rather than automatically at centre court.
AForearms held crossed at the chest: a substitution, and the substitute may enter.
BArms swung across once like scissors: cancel the score or cancel the play.
AOpen palm pointing sideways: possession and direction of play, so a throw-in follows.
BA fist pointing at the basket attacked by the offending team: a team-control foul. Ordinarily there are no free throws and the opponents throw in.
SOURCES
The names and meanings follow the officials' signals annex of the FIBA Official Basketball Rules; the drawings are simplified so they are easy to remember. In a real game the officials' judgement and the local competition rules apply, and some leagues add signals of their own.