Cricket Umpiring Signals: What Every Hand Gesture Means
Cricket umpires use a standardised set of hand signals to communicate decisions to scorers, players, and spectators. From the raised index finger (out) to arms extended (boundary four) to the crossed wrists (dead ball), each signal has a specific meaning. This guide explains every standard umpire signal and why clear communication is essential to cricket's game management.
Cricket umpires communicate decisions through a set of standardised signals recognised by the Laws of Cricket. The signals serve two purposes: communicating the decision to the players and to the scorers (who record each delivery in the scorebook). Before electronic scoreboards, signals were the primary communication method; today they remain essential even with technology because the signal confirms the umpire's decision officially and triggers the scorers to record correctly. All signals are given from the batting end umpire (standing adjacent to the stumps at the non-striker end) except the no-ball signal, which the bowler's end umpire can also give.
The Primary Signals
Primary umpire signals: Out (dismissal) — one index finger raised above the head; Four (boundary) — arm swung side to side across the body; Six (over the boundary without bouncing) — both arms raised above the head; Leg Bye — one hand touching the raised knee; Bye — one hand raised above the head (open palm, not index finger); Wide — both arms extended horizontally to the sides; No-Ball — one arm extended horizontally to the side; Dead Ball — both arms crossed at the wrist in front of the body; Short Run — one hand touching the shoulder of the same arm; Last Hour — one hand touching the watch on the wrist.
Leg Bye vs Bye
Two signals that confuse new cricket watchers: a Leg Bye (scored as an extra for runs scored off the pad or body without intending contact — the ball deflects off the pad and the batsmen run) is signalled by touching the raised knee; a Bye (scored as an extra for runs scored when the ball misses both the bat and the body — the batsmen run after the ball goes past them to the keeper) is signalled by raising the open palm above the head. The distinction matters: leg byes are only allowed if the batsman was attempting a legitimate shot or avoiding the ball; leg byes are disallowed if the batsman deliberately used the pad to shield the stumps without attempting a shot (in this case the umpire signals dead ball and the runs are not counted).
Wide vs No-Ball
Wides and no-balls are often confused: a Wide (ball passing too far from the batsman to be hit in a normal stance) is signalled with both arms extended horizontally — like a plane's wings; a No-Ball (an illegal delivery — most commonly a front-foot no-ball where the bowler's landing foot crosses the popping crease before releasing the ball) is signalled with one arm extended horizontally. Both wide and no-ball result in one extra run awarded to the batting team and the delivery being re-bowled (an extra delivery added to the over). In T20 cricket, a no-ball also results in a free hit on the next delivery (the batsman cannot be dismissed from the free hit except by run-out).
Frequently asked questions
What does the umpire raising one finger mean in cricket?
One index finger raised above the head means 'Out' — the batsman has been dismissed. The signal is the most definitive in cricket: once the umpire raises the finger, the batsman is out (unless the batting team uses a DRS review and the decision is overturned by the TV umpire). The signal is given only by the umpire making the decision — at the bowling end for LBW and caught behind; at the batting end for run-outs at the non-striker end. For run-outs at the striker end, the bowling end umpire gives the signal.
What does it mean when the umpire waves both arms above their head?
Both arms raised above the head signals a Six — the ball has been hit over the boundary rope without bouncing (clearing the rope in the air). This is cricket's maximum score from a single delivery. If the ball bounces before crossing the boundary, it scores four (signalled by the umpire swinging one arm across their body) even if it then goes over the rope. Both arms above the head is one of cricket's most recognisable signals — used at all levels from club to international cricket.
What is a dead ball in cricket?
Dead ball occurs when play is suspended — no runs can be scored and no wickets can fall. Common dead ball situations: the ball hitting a fielder's helmet placed on the field (the batting team receives 5 penalty runs); the umpire calling 'dead ball' when a batsman is distracted by the fielding team; or the ball lodging in a batsman's clothing or equipment. The dead ball signal (both wrists crossed in front of the body) communicates that the umpire has stopped active play. Once 'dead ball' is called, the delivery is replayed (an additional delivery bowled) unless the dead ball occurred after a dismissal was already complete.