Basketball Signals
Listed below are hand signals and information on what they mean and how to use them.
These signals are the most common in youth league basketball
Fouls
Every time an official blows the whistle, his or her right hand needs to go straight in the air. A closed fist at the top of the hand indicates a foul while an open hand indicates a violation. This seems awful simple but it is very important to not confuse the two. A foul is when a player is involved in illegal contact with an opponent, which hinders an opponent from performing normal defensive and offensive movements.
Foul |
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Reporting fouls is an important part of officiating. When reporting a
foul to the scorer’s table, the official needs to be vocal. Everyone
has seen officials do this while attending games. The official reports
the number of the player with not only his voice, but his hands as well.
This is to give the scorer a visual picture in case it is too loud to
hear the calling officials voice. The official must also report the type
of foul that was committed by using the correct hand signals.
Blocking |
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Holding |
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Charging |
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Intentional |
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Illegal use of the hands |
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Technical |
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Each time a foul is called officials must switch places on the
floor. For example if you were the lead official you must switch places
and become the trail official. This is done so that an official won’t
always be under the same basket. It is only fair to each competing team
that one ref doesn’t stay in the same position all game.
Violations
A violation is called immediately with a whistle and an open hand straight up into the air.Violation |
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Violations are also characterized by the use of proper hand signals.
The official doesn't have to say anything when reporting a violation.
He must simply put is hand straight into the air and then make the
correct hand signal that corresponds with the proper violation.
Traveling |
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Double Dribble |
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Jump Ball |
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Over and Back |
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Personal Officiating Experience
I have now been a volunteer referee for 4 years in the youth basketball program. I enjoy every minute of it and I take each game that I do as a challenge. It is very important to go into each game that you ref as the most important one you have ever done. You have to be mentally and physically prepared each time you step on the floor. The players and coaches expect the official to take the game seriously and to be prepared. If you approach officiating with an open attitude and mind, then you will have a lot of fun.