Rugby Referee Signals & What They Mean

Watching a big match at Twickenham Stadium or following the Six Nations Championship, you’ll see the referee constantly communicating with players and the crowd through a series of clear hand signals. Understanding these signals is key to appreciating the flow and decisions in a game, whether you're cheering on Captain Owen Farrell or watching Maro Itoje at the breakdown. Let's decode the official's language so you can follow the action like a pro.

Penalty

The referee stands sideways to the offence, with one arm raised at a 45-degree angle pointing towards the non-offending team. This is the most common signal you’ll see, indicating an infringement that gives the other team the option to kick for touch, take a shot at goal, or scrum. It’s a crucial moment that can swing momentum, especially in tight contests like the Calcutta Cup.

Advantage

The referee extends one arm straight out horizontally, pointing towards the non-offending team’s goal line. This means a penalty offence has occurred, but the referee is allowing play to continue because the wronged team has a potential benefit. If no advantage materialises after a few phases, the referee will bring play back for the original penalty.

Scrum

The referee holds both arms out in front, palms facing each other, and brings them together in a clapping motion. This signals that a minor infringement (like a forward pass or knock-on) has occurred, and the game will restart with a scrum. The feed goes to the team that was moving forward or was not responsible for the error.

Free-Kick

The referee raises one arm to shoulder height, bent at the elbow, with an open palm facing outwards. This indicates a less serious offence, often at the scrum or lineout. The team awarded the free-kick cannot directly kick at goal; they must tap and run, kick for touch, or take a scrum.

Try Awarded

One of the best sights for fans of the Red Rose! The referee raises one arm straight up in the air, pointing to the sky, and blows the whistle. This confirms the ball has been grounded with downward pressure on or over the opponent’s try line, awarding five points.

Penalty Try

The referee raises one arm straight up (like a regular try) but also points to the spot directly between the posts with the other hand. This is awarded when the referee believes a try would probably have been scored if not for a foul play offence by the defending team. It results in seven automatic points.

Knock-On / Forward Pass

The referee makes a sweeping motion with one hand in front of the body, palm down. This indicates the ball has been propelled forward from a player’s hand or arm, or has been dropped forward. Play restarts with a scrum to the other team.

Offside

The referee taps the front of their own shoulder with one hand. This signals a player is in front of a teammate who last played the ball or is in front of the kicker. It’s a key rule to understand, especially around the ruck and maul.

High Tackle / Dangerous Play

The referee brings a flat hand across their own throat. This unmistakable signal indicates contact has been made above the line of the shoulders, constituting foul play. This often leads to a penalty and potentially a card.

Not Releasing

The referee mimics holding a ball against their chest with both hands. This signals a player on the ground in a tackle is not releasing the ball immediately, or a tackler is not rolling away after making the tackle, preventing fair contest.

Not Rolling Away

The referee makes a rolling motion with their hands over one another. This is specifically directed at a tackled player or tackler who is lingering on the wrong side of the ruck, illegally blocking access to the ball.

Incorrect Entry / Hands in the Ruck

The referee makes a digging or scooping motion with one hand towards the ground. This penalises a player who has entered a ruck from the side or used their hands to play the ball while it’s on the ground in the ruck.

Lineout Offence

The referee grips one wrist with the other hand. This covers various infringements at the lineout, such as lifting a player before the ball is thrown, not maintaining a gap, or interfering with a jumper in the air.

Deliberate Knock-On

The referee makes a knocking motion with the back of one hand against the palm of the other. This is for a deliberate attempt to knock down a pass with no realistic chance of catching it, often resulting in a penalty and a yellow card.

Maul Formed

The referee clasps one wrist with the other hand in front of their chest. This signals that a player from each team is bound around a ball carrier who is on their feet, legally forming a maul. It’s a key part of forward play.

Collapsed Maul / Scrum

The referee brings both hands down from shoulder height, palms facing down. This signals a dangerous collapse of a maul or scrum, usually penalising the team deemed responsible for bringing it down illegally.

No Arms Tackle / Shoulder Charge

The referee crosses their arms in front of their chest, like a hug. This indicates a dangerous tackle where the player made contact with the shoulder or body without attempting to wrap their arms.

Foul Play / Yellow Card

The referee holds a yellow card above their head. This shows a player is being sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes for a serious or repeated infringement. It’s a huge moment in any match.

Red Card

The referee holds a red card above their head. This signals a player is being sent off for the remainder of the match for a very serious act of foul play. Their team must play a person down.

Ball Held Up in Goal

The referee crosses their arms at the wrist in front of their chest, forming a ‘T’ shape with their forearms. This means an attacking player was held up from grounding the ball, resulting in a goal-line drop-out to the defenders.

Successful Kick at Goal

After a penalty kick or conversion attempt, the referee raises one arm straight up if the kick is successful. For a conversion, they then point to the centre spot to restart the game.

Unsuccessful Kick at Goal

After a penalty kick or conversion attempt, the referee sweeps one arm across their body, pointing to the ground, if the kick is missed. For a missed penalty, they then signal a 22-metre drop-out.

Time Off

The referee holds one hand upright with the palm facing the timekeeper. This stops the game clock, usually for an injury, a consultation with the TMO, or while setting a scrum or lineout.

Time On

The referee makes a circular motion with one hand, often pointing at the timekeeper. This instructs the timekeeper to restart the game clock after it has been stopped.

So, next time you’re watching Steve Borthwick’s side in the Autumn Nations Series or analysing a break by Marcus Smith, you’ll have a clearer picture of what the official is ruling. Knowing these signals deepens your understanding of the game’s laws and the crucial decisions that shape epic contests at HQ. For more on the core rules, check out our guides on the basics, the ruck and maul, and the offside law.

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