REFEREE'S SIGNALS
All images taken from the Official Playing Rules for the Canadian Football League and are copyright the Canadian Football League.
Clipping
Striking back of knees
Coin Toss Winner
Pointing with both arms towards the team that won the toss
Contacting the Kicker
Touch raised leg below knee
Cut or Chop Block
Horizontal chopping motion
Delay of Game
Both hands behind back
Disqualification
Chopping action on wrist
Facemask
Clenched fist at face level
First Down Awarded
Arm pointed forward
Forward Pass Behind Line of Scrimmage
Raise arm above head
Holding
Grasping wrist at chest level
Illegal Block
Arm extended & grasp wrist
Illegal Contact on a Receiver
One arm extended with open hand
Illegal Crackback
Striking thigh with open hand
Illegally Downfield on a Kick
Both hands on top of shoulders
Illegal Interference
Pushing arms forward from shoulders
Illegal Kickoff
Hands rolling in forward motion followed by swinging leg
Illegal Pass
Horizontal arc of arm
Illegal Procedure
Hands rotating in forward motion
Illegal Substitution
One hand on top of head
Ineligible Receiver
Both arms extended sideways
Intentional Grounding
Passing motion & pointing at ground
No Flag on Play
Drop flag on ground & swing arms at hip level
No Yards
Arms folded at chest
Objectionable Conduct
One hand behind back
Offside
Hands on hips
Onside or Lateral Pass
Pointing in the direction the ball was thrown
Penalty Declined
Swinging arms at hip level
Piling On
Vertical chopping motion with both hands
Resetting the 20-Second Clock
A stroking motion of the forearm
Roughing the Kicker
Kicking motion
Roughing the Passer
Passing motion
Safety Touch
Palms together above head
Single Point
One arm extended above & indicating 1 point
Spearing
Chopping motion above head
Time Count Violation
Arm extended moving in circular motion
Time In
Downward rotation of arm
Time Out
Hands crossed above head
Too Many Players
Both hands on top of head
Touchdown or Field Goal
Both arms raised towards sky
Tripping
Chopping action on both knees
Unnecessary Roughness
Pumping motion of arm sideways
THE OFFICIAL PLAYING RULES FOR THE CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2017
In searchable permalink form
Tips on Linking to the Rulebook
Table of Contents
CFLdb is in need of a copy of the CFL 2012 and 2014 Rulebook. If you can loan/provide an electronic copy/help, please reach out.
You are reading the 2017 version of the rulebook. Other available versions of this page are:
Credits
Converted to the web by CFLdb. An Adobe Acrobat PDF of the current version is available.
The original source of the version presently being viewed is © Copyright 2017 Canadian Football League
Publication Credits
Content compiled and entered by Glen Johnson, Jeff Harbin 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 Darren Hackwood, Director of Officiating at dhackwood@cfl.ca. Any inquiries regarding CFL Statistical Scoring Rules may be directed to Steve Daniel, Director of Game Information and Head Statistician at sdaniel@cfl.ca.