How to sign “Play” in ASL
BSL and ASL are different languages — this is the American sign. See the BSL sign for “Play” instead
Step by step
- Make Y handshapes with both hands, thumbs and pinkies extended.
- Hold both Y-hands in front of your chest, a few inches apart.
- Twist both wrists back and forth in a playful alternating shake.
- Keep the palms facing toward each other through the whole shake.
- Smile and look lively, since PLAY always carries a fun feeling.
Practice tip
Two shaking Y-hands look like pure fun. Keep the twist in the wrists, not the elbows.
Fingerspell “Play”
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.