An easy way to know if the umpire has called for a no ball is to know about the signal for a No Ball. The Umpire’s Signal for a No Ball To Signal a No Ball, the umpire simply raises one of his arms at a 90 degree angle towards the side. Usually, the choice of the arm raised depends on the side from which the bowler is bowling.

The umpire will signal a no ball if the wicketkeeper collects the ball in front of the stumps or lines up with the stumps before the ball touches the batter or the body of the batter as per law 27.3.1. The wicketkeeper can collect the ball in front of the stumps if batters attempt to run.

The two vertical lines on either side of the stumps at each end represent the return crease. The bowler must stay within the confines of these lines while delivering the ball, and if he breaks them with either foot, the standing umpire shall call and signal no ball.

The umpire shall call and signal No ball if the ball which is considered to be delivered pitches wholly or partially off the pitch as defined in Law 6.1 (Area of pitch) before it reaches the line of the striker’s wicket. When a non-turf pitch is being used, this will apply to any ball that wholly or partially pitches off the artificial surface.