Team Communications - Sign Language
| Word/Phrase | Tactical Relevance | ASL Sign Description |
|---|---|---|
| Stop | Halts movement to maintain stealth or avoid danger. | Raise one hand, palm forward, fingers together, at shoulder level. |
| Move | Directs team to advance or reposition. | Two fingers pointing down, alternate back-and-forth to simulate walking. |
| Enemy | Indicates hostile presence or direction. | Point rifle or make a gun shape with thumb and forefinger, then point in enemy direction. |
| Look/See | Directs attention to a specific area or threat. | Two fingers extended, pointing to eyes, then toward area of interest. |
| Cover | Signals team to provide overwatch or suppressive fire. | Flat hand held above head, palm down, like a roof. |
| Forward | Directs movement in a specific direction. | Arm extended forward, palm down, swing forward from rear. |
| Left | Indicates movement or attention to the left. | Extend arm left, palm vertical, fingers together. |
| Right | Indicates movement or attention to the right. | Extend arm right, palm vertical, fingers together. |
| Danger | Alerts team to immediate threat or hazard. | Right hand, palm down, drawn across neck in a throat-cutting motion. |
| Assemble/Rally | Calls team to regroup at a designated point. | Arm raised vertically, palm open, wave in large circles, then point to rally point. |
| Halt | Stops all movement or activity. | Same as "Stop": hand raised, palm forward, at shoulder level. |
| Freeze | Orders team to stop and remain motionless to avoid detection. | Raise fist to head level, hold steady. |
| Advance | Signals to move out or continue forward. | Arm extended rearward, swing overhead to point forward, palm down. |
| Slow Down | Reduces pace for stealth or caution. | Arm extended horizontally, palm forward, wave downward slightly. |
| Fast/Quick | Urges team to increase speed (e.g., double time). | Fist raised to shoulder, thrust upward and down rapidly several times. |
| Cease Fire | Stops all firing to prevent friendly fire or conserve ammo. | Hand raised in front of forehead, palm forward, swing up and down. |
| Squad | Refers to the team or unit. | Both hands in "C" shape, held near chest, facing outward. |
| Attack | Initiates offensive action against a target. | Fist near chest, thrust forward sharply. |
| Retreat | Orders withdrawal from an area or objective. | Hand extended, palm back, motion toward body repeatedly. |
| Radio | Indicates need for radio communication or signals radio operator. | Hand near ear, thumb and pinky extended, other fingers folded. |
| Map | Signals need to check or reference a map for navigation. | Point to palm of one hand with index finger of the other. |
| Night | Indicates nighttime operations or use of night vision. | Hands near eyes, fingers spread, mimicking goggles or darkness. |
| Convoy | Refers to vehicle movement or convoy operations. | Two fists side by side, move forward in a rolling motion. |
| Secure | Confirms area or objective is clear of threats. | Thumbs up, or cross arms to form an "X" at chest. |
| Patrol | Indicates patrol operations or movement. | Two fingers pointing down, move in a circular scouting motion. |
| Formation | Signals to adopt a specific formation (e.g., wedge, line). | Arms extended to indicate shape (e.g., 45-degree angle for wedge). |
| Wedge | Directs team to form a wedge formation. | Arms extended downward at 45-degree angles, palms forward. |
| Line | Directs team to form a line formation. | Arms extended parallel to ground, palms facing out. |
| Head Count | Requests verification of team members. | Tap back of helmet repeatedly with open hand. |
| Listen | Directs team to listen for sounds or signals. | Cup hand behind ear, palm forward. |
| Observe | Signals to monitor or watch a specific area (e.g., LP/OP). | Two fingers to eyes, then point to observation area. |
| Alert | Warns of potential threat or need for heightened awareness. | Hand raised, palm forward, fingers spread slightly. |
| Clear | Indicates area is safe or objective secured. | Both hands open, palms up, move outward from chest. |
| Ambush | Signals setup or detection of an ambush. | Cross arms in front of chest, then point to ambush location. |
| Contact | Indicates enemy engagement or contact. | Point to eyes, then to enemy location with sharp gesture. |
| Fire | Orders team to engage with weapons. | Make gun shape with hand, thrust forward toward target. |
| Hold | Signals to maintain position or delay action. | Both hands open, palms down, held steady at waist level. |
| Ready | Confirms team is prepared for action. | Thumbs up or fist raised briefly at chest level. |
| Word/Phrase | Tactical Relevance | ASL Sign Description |
|---|---|---|
| Civilian | Identifies non-hostile individuals in a crowd. | Both hands in "C" shape, held near chest, facing outward. |
| Threat | Indicates a potential or confirmed hostile. | Right hand, palm down, drawn across neck in a throat-cutting motion. |
| Observe | Signals to discreetly monitor a person or area. | Two fingers to eyes, then point subtly to target area. |
| Follow | Directs team to tail a target discreetly. | Two fingers extended, move in a trailing motion behind other hand. |
| Stop | Halts movement to avoid detection in a crowd. | Raise one hand, palm forward, fingers together, at waist level for subtlety. |
| Hide | Signals to take cover or blend into surroundings. | Both hands crossed over chest, palms down, as if shielding. |
| Move | Indicates to advance discreetly through an area. | Two fingers pointing down, move subtly forward at waist level. |
| Safe | Confirms an area or path is clear of threats. | Both hands open, palms up, move outward from chest slightly. |
| Danger | Alerts to immediate threat (e.g., armed individual). | Hand near chest, fingers spread, quick shake for emphasis. |
| Extract | Signals to exit or evacuate an area. | Hand extended, palm back, pull toward body repeatedly. |
| Blend | Orders team to act casual and blend with civilians. | Both hands flat, palms down, move side to side smoothly. |
| Target | Identifies a specific person or objective. | Point index finger at chest, then toward target discreetly. |
| Weapon | Indicates a concealed or visible weapon on a person. | Make a gun shape with thumb and forefinger, held near hip. |
| Radio | Signals need for radio check or communication. | Hand near ear, thumb and pinky extended, fingers folded, subtle nod. |
| Meet | Directs team to rendezvous at a specific point. | Both hands in "A" shape, bring together at chest level. |
| Split | Orders team to divide for recon or evasion. | Two fingers extended, pull apart from each other. |
| Watch | Signals to maintain surveillance on a target. | Two fingers to eyes, hold steady toward target. |
| Man | Describes a male individual (e.g., suspect). | Hand near chin, fingers together, palm facing in (ASL for "man"). |
| Woman | Describes a female individual (e.g., suspect). | Hand near chin, fingers spread, palm facing in (ASL for "woman"). |
| Group | Indicates a crowd or multiple people to monitor. | Both hands open, fingers spread, move in a circular motion. |
| Red | Describes clothing or object color (e.g., red jacket). | Index finger to lips, point outward (ASL for "red"). |
| Blue | Describes clothing or object color (e.g., blue bag). | Hand in "B" shape, shake slightly near shoulder (ASL for "blue"). |
| Black | Describes clothing or object color (e.g., black hat). | Hand in "A" shape near forehead (ASL for "black"). |
| Tall | Describes a person’s height for identification. | Hand flat, palm down, raise to indicate height (ASL for "tall"). |
| Short | Describes a person’s height for identification. | Hand flat, palm down, lower near waist (ASL for "short"). |
| Bag | Identifies a backpack or bag on a person. | Both hands mimic holding backpack straps near shoulders. |
| Vehicle | Signals a car or truck to monitor or use. | Two fists side by side, move forward in a rolling motion. |
| Alley | Indicates a side street or narrow path for movement. | Two hands parallel, palms facing, move forward to show a narrow space. |
| Roof | Signals to check or move to a rooftop for vantage. | Flat hand held above head, palm down, like a roof. |
| Door | Indicates a door to enter or monitor. | Two hands flat, palms facing, held close together vertically (ASL for "door"). |
| Window | Signals to check or use a window for entry/exit. | Two hands flat, outline a square shape near chest (ASL for "window"). |
| Quiet | Orders silence to avoid detection. | Finger to lips, then both hands down, palms facing ground. |
| Alert | Warns of heightened awareness needed (e.g., police nearby). | Hand raised, palm forward, fingers spread slightly, subtle shake. |
| Ambush | Signals potential or planned ambush in urban setting. | Cross arms at chest, then point subtly to ambush location. |
| Ready | Confirms team is prepared for action. | Thumbs up, kept low near hip for discretion. |
| Hold | Signals to maintain position or delay action. | Both hands open, palms down, held steady at waist level. |
| Side | Signal to indicate left or right side | One hand, palm in, with slight chop motion |
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