What must a referee signal after calling an illegal hit?

When a referee calls an illegal hit, the appropriate signal to indicate this infraction is a fault signal. This is because an illegal hit, which can include actions such as lifting the ball or making contact with the ball inappropriately, constitutes a fault, disrupting the play.

The fault signal typically involves raising one arm above the head with a clenched fist, clearly communicating to players, coaches, and spectators that a rule violation has occurred, thereby stopping play and awarding a point or side out to the opposing team.

While "lift signal" may seem relevant for specific types of illegal hits, it does not encompass all forms of illegal hits and is only used for certain infractions, such as when a player is deemed to have lifted the ball in a manner not compliant with the rules. The "free ball signal," on the other hand, pertains to a situation where the receiving team must play a free ball, not a signal used for a fault. The "out signal" indicates that a ball has landed outside the designated play area, which is separate from calling out an illegal hit.

Thus, understanding the distinction between these signals is crucial for accurately officiating and communicating the rules of the game.