Yelling while defending?
 

Look! My first basketball question!

I'm a rookie basketball official branching out after a dozen years in baseball. Had my first games a few nights ago, a 4 game JH stretch. A couple of the girls on one of the teams would yell at the girls they were closely guarding incoherently. The other coach never complained about it, so I let it go, as annoying as it was. Is there a rule against this or is this accepted? I couldn't find anything specific in the rulebook about it. My partner was also a first year guy, so he really wasn't able to shed any light on it.

It's generally accepted. There would have to be something extreme about the behavior for an official to deal with it. If that were the case, it could be considered unsporting conduct.

Gauge the reaction of the opponents. If you feel that it's causing a problem or is unsportsmanlike, address it with the players and/or the HC. If the problem persists, you can consider this baiting/taunting and call a technical foul. My suggestion, though, is to observe and use your feel for the game and the players before taking any action and make sure that action fits the game and makes it better. In other words, make sure an actual problem exists before you correct it or you could cause more problems.

Annoying is the right word! Who teaches these kids to run around the floor yelling, "BALL, BALL, BALL!" Gives me a headache sometimes! :(

Welcome to the world of girls' basketball.

Actually it's not just in girl's basketball. I've seem some men's ncaa teams that do this. It's not as loud, annoying or constant as you see in the girl's games but it is becoming an accepted coaching tool.

What would you consider as "extreme behavior?" How would you deal with it?

Following an opponent around the court closely and staying right in his face. :D

Seriously:
One player coming up being an opponent and yelling, "Look out!"
Similar to the hand near the eyes rule, I wouldn't find it acceptable for a player to attempt to scream directly into an opponent's ear.

Both of these situations deal with physical health and safety.

I would charge a unsporting foul to the player.

What, no stop sign first? :D

Careful or tomegun will show up and you'll be in deep trouble! ;)

What if the player in my scenario had chronic halitoses; would that deal with physical health and safety? :o

What difference does it make whether it's chronic or acute and how would you know?

And how can she be a cutie if her breath stinks??!

blech... http://planetsmilies.net/vomit-smiley-9529.gif

If it's acute, you'd probably know. If it's chronic, it might take longer to figure out.