Abstract: A rotational direction change-over control method capable of reversing a rotational direction of an internal combustion engine without discharging unburnt gas. When a reverse command is generated, feed of fuel to the engine is interrupted to reduce a rotational speed of the engine to a set level. An ignition position of the engine is advanced to an excessively advanced position during a reduction in rotational speed to the set level. When the rotational speed is reduced to the set level, feed of fuel is restarted to reverse a rotational speed of the engine. When judgment that the rotational speed is successfully reversed is made, the ignition position is transferred to a position near a top dead center, to thereby maintain rotation of the engine in a direction reversed.