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Monday, 5 September 2005, 08:50 GMT 09:50 UK

Learn the referee's signals

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The referee has over 40 signals to tell the players about what's going on the pitch. The one the players love seeing most is the try. The referee will clearly raise one arm straight above his head and his back will be towards the dead ball line.

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Free-kick: The referee will raise his arm, bending it square at the elbow. The arm will be pointing towards the team who have been given the free-kick.

Penalty

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Penalty: The referee will clearly raise his arm in the air, pointing towards the side who have been awarded the penalty.

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Obstruction: The referee will cross both his arms across his chest, like a pair of open scissors. This shows to all the players that one player has been stopped another illegally.

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Forward pass: The referee will move his hands in front of his body. Then he will pretend to pass an imaginary ball forwards. He will give the scrum put in to the team that did not make the mistake.

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Knock on: The referee will raise his arm at head level, with the palm of the hand open. He'll then tap the palm of that hand with the other to show to all the players that the ball has been knocked forward.

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High tackle: The referee will hold is arm straight over his neck. This shows to all the players that someone has made an illegal high tackle.

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Killing the ball: The referee will point his arm downwards and move it up and down. This shows to all the players on the pitch that a player did not stay on their feet as they joined a ruck.

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Ball not released: The referee brings his arms close into his chest as if he's holding an imaginary ball. He will give a penalty to the opposition at the place where the offence took place.

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Handling in the ruck: The referee will bend forwards and lower his arm towards the ground. He will then move his arm back and forwards, as if he has handled an imaginary ball on the ground.

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Line-out throw not straight: The referee will raise one hand above his head with his shoulders in line with touch. He will then move that arm backwards and forwards to show the ball was not thrown straight by the hooker.

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Stamping: The referee will raise one leg, bending it at the knee. He will then move it up and down, pretending to stamp on an imaginary ball.

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