What do the umpires' signals mean?
Rule- UK
- MCC Laws of Cricket
- 2017 Code 4th Edition
- Club cricket
- All ages
- 2026
- Scorers
Under Law 2.13 (2026 Laws), signals to the scorers are made when the ball is dead, by the bowler's end umpire (except Short run, which the umpire at that end signals first).
| Signal | Meaning |
|---|---|
| One arm extended horizontally | No ball |
| Both arms extended horizontally | Wide |
| Arm waved side to side, finishing across the chest | Boundary 4 |
| Both arms raised above the head | Boundary 6 |
| Open hand raised above the head | Bye |
| Hand touching a raised knee | Leg bye |
| Repeatedly tapping one shoulder with the opposite hand | 5 penalty runs to the batting side |
| One hand placed on the opposite shoulder | 5 penalty runs to the fielding side |
| Bending one arm up and touching the nearer shoulder with the fingertips | Short run |
| Touching both shoulders, each with the opposite hand | Revoke last signal |
| Pointing to a raised wrist with the other hand | Start of the last hour |
| Holding the ball above the head |
Added 21 Oct 2026