Some things to pay attention to as we move forward into the season.

There is a short version of at-the-spot foul signaling.

First, stop the clock by sounding the whistle and raising a clenched fist.  Second, indicate to everyone what the player did by using the appropriate signal.  Verbalize as needed.  Third, tell the world how the game will resume by displaying the number of free throws to be awarded or indicating the throw-in spot.  If free throws are to be awarded, announce the number of the player who will shoot.

1. Use accurate signals:  Officials should take pride in their signals and use only approved signals for high school contests. Signaling is an essential aspect of officiating in which rulings are communicated to officials, scorers, timers, players, coaches, spectators, and the media.
2. Be Professional:  Signals should always be dignified, informative, and meaningful. Poorly executed or unorthodox signals and failing to use required signals tend to cause confusion. Clear and precisely executed signals create an environment where the officials are clearly in charge and the game is under their supervision.
3. Use the correct signal:  Officials sometimes have a tendency to “fall in love” with a particular signal.  It then becomes the default signal used almost exclusively, regardless of the action that caused the foul. Choosing the correct signal at the site of the foul.  This communication is how officials tell the world who committed the foul and why a foul was ruled. The proper signal at the site of the foul should describe and match the action.
4. Examples:

• A handchecking foul should be ruled when:
   a player places two hands on a ball handler,
   places an extended arm bar on a ball handler
   places and keeps a hand on a ball handler, or
   contacts a ball handler more than once with the same hand or alternating hands.
• A blocking foul should be ruled when players use their torso, hips, or legs to impede an opponent.
• A pushing foul should be ruled when a player uses their hands, arms, shoulders and body to displace an opponent.
• A holding foul should be ruled when a player uses his/her hand(s) to grasp a player, hindering the player’s freedom of movement.
• Illegal use of hands/arms fouls should be ruled when a player uses his/her hand(s) or arm(s) to “reach in” on a ball handler, or when a player contacts a shooter’s arms during a try for goal.
• When player- or team-control fouls occur, officials tend to display both the player/team control signal and the directional signal with the other arm simultaneously. Each signal in the sequence should be displayed independently of one another.  This should be done with the same arm.
• Officials should follow this procedure at the site of the foul:
  1. Signal to stop the clock.
  2. Use the birddog (if needed).
  3. Using the same arm that was raised to stop the clock, signal a player- or team-control foul.
  4. Drop the arm signaling the player- or team-control signal.
  5. Using the same arm again, signal direction.
  6. Without turning their back to the players, end the sequence by indicating the throw-in spot.

Ideally this is done using the same arm as used to stop the clock. However, if signaling direction or indicating the spot will cause the official to signal across their torso, using the other arm while continuing to face the players is acceptable.

Signals should not be rushed; they should be displayed calmly and deliberately.

In choosing the correct signal at the site of the foul, officials can often prevent having to explain to players and coaches what the foul was and why it was ruled.