REFEREE'S SIGNALS

All images taken from the Official Playing Rules for the Canadian Football League and are copyright the Canadian Football League.

Striking back of knees
Clipping

Striking back of knees

Pointing with both arms towards the team that won the toss
Coin Toss Winner

Pointing with both arms towards the team that won the toss

Touch raised leg below knee
Contacting the Kicker

Touch raised leg below knee

Horizontal chopping motion
Cut or Chop Block

Horizontal chopping motion

Both hands behind back
Delay of Game

Both hands behind back

Chopping action on wrist
Disqualification

Chopping action on wrist

Clenched fist at face level
Facemask

Clenched fist at face level

Arm pointed forward
First Down Awarded

Arm pointed forward

Hands rotating in forward motion
Illegal Procedure

Hands rotating in forward motion

One hand on top of head
Illegal Substitution

One hand on top of head

Both arms extended sideways
Ineligible Receiver

Both arms extended sideways

Passing motion & pointing at ground
Intentional Grounding

Passing motion & pointing at ground

Drop flag on ground & swing arms at hip level
No Flag on Play

Drop flag on ground & swing arms at hip level

Arms folded at chest
No Yards

Arms folded at chest

One hand behind back
Objectionable Conduct

One hand behind back

Hands on hips
Offside

Hands on hips

Raise arm above head
Forward Pass Behind Line of Scrimmage

Raise arm above head

Grasping wrist at chest level
Holding

Grasping wrist at chest level

Arm extended & grasp wrist
Illegal Block

Arm extended & grasp wrist

One arm extended with open hand
Illegal Contact on a Receiver

One arm extended with open hand

Striking thigh with open hand
Illegal Crackback

Striking thigh with open hand

Pushing arms forward from shoulders
Illegal Interference

Pushing arms forward from shoulders

Hands rolling in forward motion followed by swinging leg
Illegal Kickoff

Hands rolling in forward motion followed by swinging leg

Horizontal arc of arm
Illegal Pass

Horizontal arc of arm

 

Pointing in the direction the ball was thrown
Onside or Lateral Pass

Pointing in the direction the ball was thrown

Swinging arms at hip level
Penalty Declined

Swinging arms at hip level

Vertical chopping motion with both hands
Piling On

Vertical chopping motion with both hands

A stroking motion of the forearm
Resetting the 20-Second Clock

A stroking motion of the forearm

Kicking motion
Roughing the Kicker

Kicking motion

Passing motion
Roughing the Passer

Passing motion

Palms together above head
Safety Touch

Palms together above head

One arm extended above head & indicating 1 point
Single Point

One arm extended above & indicating 1 point

Chopping motion above head
Spearing

Chopping motion above head

Arm extended moving in circular motion
Time Count Violation

Arm extended moving in circular motion

Downward rotation of arm
Time In

Downward rotation of arm

Hands crossed above head
Time Out

Hands crossed above head

Both hands on top of head
Too Many Players

Both hands on top of head

Both arms raised towards sky
Touchdown or Field Goal

Both arms raised towards sky

Chopping action on both knees
Tripping

Chopping action on both knees

Pumping motion of arm sideways
Unnecessary Roughness

Pumping motion of arm sideways

THE OFFICIAL PLAYING RULES FOR THE CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2015

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Publication Credits

Content compiled and entered by Glen Johnson and Andre Proulx

The CFL Official Rule Book is published annually by the Canadian Football League. Any inquiries regarding the CFL Official Playing Rules may be directed to Glen Johnson, Vice-President, Officiating @ gjohnson@cfl.ca.