Rugby referees use hand signals so players and spectators can follow decisions at scrums, rucks, mauls and every other phase. Most signals show three things: the type of restart, such as a penalty, free kick or scrum; which team benefits, since the arm usually points toward the non-offending team; and the reason for the decision, shown with a second signal that mimes the offense. A penalty is shown with the arm raised at an angle toward the non-offending team, a free kick with the arm bent at the elbow, advantage with the arm held out at waist height, and a scrum with the arm held horizontally toward the team that will throw in. Offense signals then show whether the problem was a knock-on, offside at the ruck, not releasing, collapsing and so on. Learning the main signals makes rugby far easier to follow.
Rulebook note: Signals are described in World Rugby’s Laws of the Game for rugby union, which include a full set of official referee signals with diagrams. Descriptions here are simplified, individual referees may vary slightly in how they perform them, and signals are updated from time to time. Rugby league uses its own signals. Check the official laws for the exact current versions.
Restart and decision signals
| Decision | Signal |
|---|---|
| Penalty kick | Arm raised at an angle toward the non-offending team |
| Free kick | Arm bent at the elbow, raised toward the non-offending team |
| Try | Referee stands at the spot and raises an arm straight up |
| Penalty try | Referee goes between the posts and raises an arm |
| Advantage | Arm held out at waist height toward the non-offending team |
| Scrum awarded | Arm horizontal toward the team to throw in |
| Successful kick at goal | Arm raised to confirm points, often with assistant referees raising flags |
How to read a referee’s decision
- Listen for the whistle, which stops play.
- Look at the primary signal to see whether it is a penalty, free kick or scrum.
- Note which team the arm points toward; that team usually benefits.
- Watch for the secondary signal, which shows the offense.
- Check for cards, which the referee shows after signaling the offense.
- Listen to the referee’s explanation, often given to the captain or broadcast at higher levels.
Scrum signals
At scrums, the referee first signals the engagement sequence verbally with crouch, bind and set. When an offense occurs, the referee blows the whistle and signals the sanction. Common scrum offenses include early engagement, not binding correctly, collapsing the scrum, standing up, boring in at an angle, wheeling deliberately and a crooked feed. The referee typically follows the penalty or free kick signal with a mimed action, such as indicating a crooked throw-in with a hand movement or showing a collapse with a downward motion of the arms. Because scrum offenses can be technical, referees often explain decisions to the front rows and captains.
Ruck signals
The ruck is where most penalties occur, so its signals are among the most frequently seen. Offside at the ruck is often shown by sweeping the arm along the offside line. Hands in the ruck is typically shown by mimicking picking the ball up from the ground. Not releasing the ball after a tackle is shown with both hands held to the chest as if holding a ball. Not rolling away is often shown by a rolling motion of the arms. Entering from the side is usually shown by sweeping an arm in a semicircle from the side. Diving over the ball or going off one’s feet may be shown with a diving motion.
Maul signals
Maul offenses include collapsing the maul, joining from the side, and obstruction or illegal movements. Collapsing is often shown with a downward motion of the arms. Joining the maul from the side is shown with a sweeping arm, similar to the ruck signal. When a maul stops moving forward, referees may call use it, and if the ball is not played, they award a scrum to the other team, signaling with a horizontal arm.
Common offense signals
| Offense | Typical signal |
|---|---|
| Knock-on | Open hand raised above the head, moving back and forth |
| Forward pass | Hands mime passing the ball forward |
| Offside at ruck or maul | Arm swept along the offside line |
| Not releasing the ball | Both hands held to the chest as if holding a ball |
| Hands in the ruck | Hand lowered and swept as if picking up the ball |
| High tackle | Hand drawn across the throat or neck area |
| Obstruction | Arms crossed in front of the chest |
Lineout and kicking signals
Lineouts and kicks have their own set of signals. When the ball goes into touch, the assistant referee raises a flag and points toward the team that will throw in, while the referee confirms the lineout. A crooked throw is shown with a hand movement mimicking the path of a throw that is not straight. Early lifting or illegal lifting may be shown with lifting motions of the arms. At kicks at goal, the assistant referees stand behind the posts and raise their flags if the kick is successful, and the referee confirms the score. For kick-offs that fail to travel the required distance or go directly into touch, the referee signals the resulting restart, such as a scrum or a lineout option for the receiving team.
The role of assistant referees
Assistant referees support the referee with their own flag signals. They indicate when the ball or ball carrier goes into touch, which team throws in, whether kicks at goal are successful and, at many levels, when they have seen foul play. When an assistant referee spots foul play, they may hold the flag out horizontally and communicate with the referee, who then decides on the sanction. At professional matches, officials communicate through headsets, and the television match official can review incidents. Understanding assistant referee signals helps players and fans follow decisions that happen away from the main action.
Cards and foul play
When foul play or repeated infringements warrant it, the referee signals the offense and then shows a card. A yellow card indicates a temporary suspension, and a red card indicates a sending off, although some competitions use variations. At higher levels, the referee may signal a review by the television match official by drawing a rectangle in the air with both hands, and the final decision is then communicated to players and broadcast audiences.
Tips for players and fans
- Learn the primary signals first: penalty, free kick, advantage and scrum.
- Watch the direction of the arm to know which team benefits.
- Pay attention to breakdown signals, since most penalties happen there.
- Use the official laws to see diagrams of each signal.
- Listen to referee microphones in broadcasts to link signals with explanations.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing penalty and free kick signals.
- Stopping play when the referee signals advantage.
- Ignoring the secondary signal and misunderstanding the offense.
- Assuming every referee signals identically.
- Arguing about signals instead of asking the captain to clarify.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a penalty and a free kick signal?
A penalty is shown with a straight arm raised at an angle, while a free kick is shown with the arm bent at the elbow.
How does a referee signal advantage?
By holding an arm out at waist height toward the team that may benefit.
Where can I see all rugby referee signals?
World Rugby’s Laws of the Game include official diagrams of every signal.
