I'm sure we should at least give some more warnings, as I've recently seen some coaches actually teaching their players to put a hand on the shooter's face.

I also think a player, if warned, would never do it twice, as it's not something you do "automatically".

Just like tapping the ball after scoring a basket to delay the throw-in or faking a charge foul ;)

I've seen it once, two seasons ago. Visitors had a 6'2" center. Home posted their center behind her and had a guard stand in front of her and hold her hands over her face. I had to see it a couple of times down the floor to realize that she'd been coached to do it. We had a timeout, at which time I warned the coach to knock it off or we'd have a T on the next occurrence.

I've seen it once, in a ms girls ymca game. I stopped the game and warned everyone about it. It was more of a teaching atmosphere, so I tried to avoid the T. Didn't see it the rest of the game. Hadn't seen it before or since. It just doesn't happen that much; for one, it's bad defensive form and really leaves the defender in a vulnerable position.

A lot of people don't know this rule, either. I told a guy in a pick-up game about it once, and he really didn't want to believe me.

I can't cite the rule exactly but I know in fiba one of the Technical paragraphs is something like :
using hand or wawing to distracs opponents from play
or something like that, so anyway that's a T in fiba, but 1. I've never seen it
2. If I will, it's a warning and then a T, unsportsmanlike conduct

Yep, I quoted it here :cool:

oh, that's what happens when I don't read the thread :p thanks
also, I added your msn Elessar, hope that's ok :)

Its an excellent area to work on preventive officiating. I've seen it 2 - 5 times. Most kids don't know its a voilation and will stop hastfully with a warning.