We report a specially designed encoding technique for sign language video sequences supposing that the technique is for sign telecommunication such as that using mobile videophones with a low bitrate. The technique is composed of three methods: gradient coding, precedence macroblock coding, and not-coded coding. These methods are based on the idea to distribute a certain number of bits for each macroblock according to the evaluation of importance of parts of the picture. They were implemented on a computer and encoded data of a short clip of sign language dialogue was evaluated by deaf subjects. As a result, the efficiency of the technique was confirmed.