Football officials use hand signals to explain every stoppage, score and penalty to players, coaches and fans. The most common signals are both arms raised straight up for a touchdown, field goal or successful try; an arm pointed toward the defending team’s goal for a first down; arms swung across each other horizontally for an incomplete pass; hands crisscrossing above the head for a timeout; and specific gestures for penalties such as holding, false start, offside, pass interference and personal fouls. The signals are very similar across the NFL, college and high school, so once you learn the core set, you can follow a game at almost any level.
This guide groups the most common signals by type, explains what each one means, describes how a penalty is announced, notes where levels differ, and lists tips for learning them.
Scoring and game-flow signals
| Signal | How it looks | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Touchdown, field goal or successful try | Both arms raised straight above the head | Score is good |
| Safety | Palms pressed together above the head | Defense scores two points |
| First down | Arm extended forward, pointing toward the defending team’s goal | Offense has earned a new set of downs |
| Incomplete pass or no good | Arms swung across each other horizontally in front of the body | Pass incomplete, kick missed or penalty declined |
| Timeout | Hands crisscrossed repeatedly above the head | Clock stopped for a timeout |
| Touchback | One arm swung side to side above the head | Ball dead in the end zone, spotted at the touchback line |
| Ball dead | One arm raised with open palm forward | Play is over |
| Start the clock | Arm rotated in a big circle | Game clock should run |
Common penalty signals
| Penalty | Signal |
|---|---|
| Holding | Grasping one wrist with the other hand in front of the chest |
| False start or illegal formation | Forearms rotated over each other in front of the body |
| Offside or encroachment | Hands on hips |
| Pass interference | Open hands pushed forward from the shoulders |
| Personal foul | One wrist striking the other above the head |
| Unsportsmanlike conduct | Arms outstretched to the sides, palms down |
| Delay of game | Arms folded across the chest |
| Face mask | Grasping the front of the helmet’s face mask and pulling down |
| Intentional grounding | Both palms parallel, waved diagonally across the body |
| Illegal motion or shift | Hand moved horizontally across the body, or both hands |
| Roughing the passer | Personal foul signal followed by a raised arm swinging forward |
How a penalty is called
- Flag thrown: an official throws a yellow flag near the spot of the foul.
- Play continues: unless the foul kills the play, action continues until the whistle.
- Officials confer: the crew discusses what happened.
- Options given: the captain of the offended team can accept or decline.
- Announcement: the referee signals the foul, points to the team, and in many games announces it over a microphone.
- Enforcement: officials mark off the yardage and reset the down.
Differences between levels
Most signals are shared across the NFL, NCAA and high school (NFHS), but some details differ. Certain penalties and their yardage, the procedures for replay review, and a few specific signals vary. College and professional referees typically announce penalties over a microphone, while many high school games rely on signals alone. Some leagues use additional signals for replay reviews or targeting.
For the official list of signals and penalties, refer to the NFL Rulebook, the NCAA Football Rules and Interpretations, or the NFHS Football Rules Book, which include illustrated signal charts.
Tips for learning the signals
- Start with scoring, first down, incomplete pass and timeout signals.
- Learn the five most common penalties: holding, false start, offside, pass interference and personal foul.
- Watch games with a signal chart handy.
- Listen to referee announcements while watching the signal.
- Practise with friends by acting out signals and guessing.
Common misunderstandings
- A flag always means a penalty is enforced: it can be declined or offset.
- Arms crossed always means incomplete pass: the same signal can mean a missed kick or declined penalty.
- Every level uses exactly the same signals: most are shared, but some differ.
Officials on the field and what they watch
Signals make more sense once you know who is giving them. The number of officials depends on the level of play, but each position has a specific area of responsibility.
| Official | Main responsibility |
|---|---|
| Referee | Leads the crew, stands behind the offence and announces penalties |
| Umpire | Watches blocking and holding along the line of scrimmage |
| Down judge / head linesman | Marks the line to gain, watches for offside and false starts, and manages the chain crew |
| Line judge | Works opposite the down judge, watches the sideline and helps with timing |
| Side judge and field judge | Cover deep passes and players downfield |
| Back judge | Watches deep plays and rules on kicks through the uprights |
Signals for timing and game administration
- Timeout: The official crosses the hands above the head.
- Start the clock: A full circular wind of the arm.
- First down: An arm pointed toward the defensive team’s goal.
- Incomplete pass, missed kick or penalty declined: Arms swung across in front of the body in a horizontal motion.
- Touchback: Arm swung above the head from side to side.
- Loss of down: Both hands held behind the head.
How to use signals while watching a game
- When you see a flag, watch the referee rather than the players.
- Look for the first signal, which shows the type of foul.
- Watch where the referee points to learn which team committed it.
- Listen for the announcement, which gives the player’s number and the yardage.
- Check the down and distance graphic to see how the penalty changed the situation.
Signals are defined in the NFL, NCAA and NFHS rulebooks, and a few differ between levels. Check the current rulebook for the level you are watching or officiating.
Flags, beanbags and challenge flags
Officials carry more than a whistle. The yellow penalty flag is thrown when an official sees a foul, and it usually lands near the spot of the infraction. A beanbag is different: officials drop it to mark a spot that matters for the play, such as where a fumble happened, where a kick was caught or where possession changed. It does not mean there was a penalty. In the NFL, a head coach who wants to challenge a ruling throws a red challenge flag onto the field, and the referee then goes to the replay screen. College football uses replay officials instead, with coaches allowed a limited number of challenges under NCAA rules. Knowing the difference between these three objects helps fans understand what is happening in the few seconds after a whistle.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean when a referee puts hands on hips?
Offside or encroachment, usually by the defense.
What is the signal for holding?
The referee grasps one wrist with the other hand in front of the chest.
How do referees signal a first down?
By pointing an arm forward toward the defending team’s goal.
