How to sign “Follow” in ASL
The BSL sign for “Follow” isn't in our dictionary yet — it will be fingerspelled in BSL mode, never replaced with this ASL sign.
Step by step
- Curl both hands into loose fists with each thumb sticking straight up, like signing the number ten.
- Hold your non-dominant fist out in front of your chest, thumb up, as the person being followed.
- Set your dominant fist a few inches directly behind the non-dominant one, also thumb up.
- Move both fists forward together a short distance, keeping the dominant hand trailing behind the other.
- Keep both palms facing sideways and your thumbs upright for the whole forward motion.
- Look steadily forward as the hands move, as if watching the person ahead of you.
Practice tip
The following hand always trails — if the dominant hand drifts ahead, you are signing 'chase', not 'follow'.
Fingerspell “Follow”
Letter by letter — a handy backup if you forget the sign above. This is not the sign itself.
Text-based guide researched from established ASL references (Lifeprint, university and public-health materials) and rewritten in original words. Signer-created photos and videos are a planned future upgrade.