Common Hand Signals

Movement

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Advance or Follow me – Arm swung from rear to front below shoulder.
Extended Line – Arms raised to the side level with the ground indicate flank and which group is to go.
Freeze & Listen – Hand cupped to ear.
Go Back – Hand circled at hip height.
Halt or Rest – Arm raised until the hand is level with shoulder. Indicate length of halt by number of fingers. Point to “rest area”
Join me – Pat head.
Move up - Fingers spread, arms swung slowly in the direction movement is required.
Ready to move – Hands moved as if cranking a handle
Right or Left Flanking – A curved sweep movement of the arm in direction concerned.
Space Out – Left arm extended in front of body, right hand moved towards it and away.
Single File – One arm fully extended above head

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Formation

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Arrowhead Formation – Both arms forced backwards or forwards depending whether arrow is backwards or forwards.
Diamond – Arms raised above the head with arms slightly bent so that hands touch to form diamond shape.

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"I See"

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All Clear – Thumbs Up
Enemy seen or Suspected – Thumb down.
House or Hut - Hands folded in an inverted V
Obstacles – Arms crossed. For water obstacles, make waves.

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Position

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Platoon Commander – Two open fingers held to shoulder to represent Lieutenant’s Stars.
Section Commander – Two open fingers held across arm to represent corporal stripes.

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General

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Attack – Chopping movement of the hand in direction which attack is required.
Deploy – Arm extended below shoulder level, waved slowly from side to side, hand open.
Double File – Both arms fully extended above head
Double Time – Clenched fist moved up and down between thigh and shoulder.
Form Ambush – Hands placed over face, followed by pointing to the place of the ambush.
Reconnaissance - Hand held to eye, as if looking through an eye glass.
Scout Group – Clenched Fist with fore finger up