Hand signals between partners are ok, as long as both understand specifically what message the other official is trying to convey. Unfortunately, as in the initiating post of this thread it, hand signals can be misunderstood.
For example, I had the opportunity work with a college-level official who, late in the 2nd qtr of a game, looked straight at me (from the lead prior to administering the a FT) and placed one closed fist on top of the otherin front of his waist (as I assumed my position as the trail). It was obvious that it was a signal for me to do something, but I had no idea what he was trying to tell me.
It the half, I asked him about that situation. He informed me that is a "universal" signal for good call. The call was a block/charge on a drive to the hoop.
Dang, do I need a pre-game (or a complete clinic) just to learn all the "universal" signals.
