Tapping, Twirling, and 'T' Signs: Sports Replays Have a Language All Their Own

From NBA finger twirls to MLB head pats, video review has created a new gestural lexicon in professional sports.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:18pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented baseball game, with overlapping shapes and planes in a vibrant color scheme, conceptually representing the specialized non-verbal communication used in modern sports replay reviews.The evolving language of sports replay signals reflects the growing role of video technology in officiating, creating a shared visual vocabulary among players, coaches, and fans.Los Angeles Today

As video replay technology has become more prevalent in major professional sports leagues, officials and players have developed a unique set of hand signals and gestures to communicate during reviews. From the ubiquitous NBA finger twirl to the new MLB head pat for the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System, these non-verbal cues have become an integral part of the game experience for fans and participants alike.

Why it matters

The rise of video replay has transformed how officials and coaches interact during games, creating the need for a shared gestural language to efficiently navigate the review process. These signals not only help streamline decision-making, but also add a layer of drama and fan engagement to the viewing experience as spectators learn to recognize and interpret the various hand motions.

The details

In the NBA, the finger twirl is a common sight as players and coaches signal for a video review, while in the NFL, the red challenge flag thrown by coaches has become an iconic moment. International sports like soccer and cricket have their own versions, such as the rectangular box drawn in the air for VAR reviews and the 'T' sign for the Decision Review System. MLB's newest addition is the head pat, used to initiate the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System. These signals have become so ingrained in the sports lexicon that fans have started to adopt them as well, patting their heads when they believe a call has been missed.

  • The Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System was officially introduced in MLB games in 2026.
  • The ABS system was used on an experimental basis during MLB spring training in 2025, but was not allowed during the regular season until 2026.

The players

Torey Lovullo

Manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who commented on how quickly the new ABS head-pat signal has been adopted by players and fans.

Taylor Walls

Tampa Bay Rays infielder who was ejected from a game in 2025 for patting his helmet while arguing a call, an action the umpire deemed disrespectful despite Walls' claim that it was an innocent gesture.

Mike Brown

Head coach of the New York Knicks, who described how his assistant coach Jordan Brink advises him on when to challenge calls based on non-verbal cues.

Kenny Atkinson

Head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who emphasized the need for coaches to 'control themselves' during emotional replay review situations.

Ty Lue

Head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, who joked about being 'sick of looking at' the ubiquitous NBA finger twirl used to signal for a review.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Everybody now knows what touching the top of their hat means. It's definitely caught on fast. I think it's a great thing — everyone wants to get the calls right.”

— Torey Lovullo, Arizona Diamondbacks Manager

“If he does this (nodding his head up and down), then you do this (twirls his finger). If he does this (shaking his head side to side), then you just go 'Hmm...' and got to tell your players sorry.”

— Mike Brown, New York Knicks Head Coach

“You really got to control yourself because replay reviews are usually emotional situations.”

— Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach

“I'm sick of looking at it. Let's take a look at that. Now they're doing it in college, too, everybody's doing it.”

— Ty Lue, Los Angeles Clippers Head Coach

What’s next

As video review technology continues to evolve, sports leagues will likely develop even more specialized hand signals and gestures to streamline the process. Fans can expect to see new additions to the growing gestural lexicon of professional sports in the coming years.

The takeaway

The rise of video replay in major sports has led to the creation of a unique language of hand signals and non-verbal cues that have become an integral part of the game experience. From the NBA's finger twirl to MLB's head pat, these gestures not only facilitate efficient decision-making, but also add an extra layer of drama and fan engagement to the viewing experience.