Shrug. I do not use the term "on the floor" but I will point to the spot if the foul is before the shooting motion has begun.

I will also (I know I shouldn't have to do this) hold my whistle just a bit longer in these situations -- I may have decided that there is a foul, but whistling it as the shooter is actually going up sells it that way just a bit better. Since I'm always working on having a good patient whistle, this happens a lot anyway -- it's usually non-regular partners or the prelim game officials that I see whistle quickly and call it "on the floor".

I've heard that "there's no such thing as a dumb question."

Your question is obviously the exception that proves the rule.

Couldn't agree more. This is actually going to be part of my pregame with my regular high school crew tomorrow night. I'm guilty of it at times as well and we as officials need to change this.

Oddly, it actually came up during one of our association meetings in November, so most of our members are aware of the problem. I may have seen it used only once or twice this year by officials. Twice I've had partners' shooting fouls get questioned by the coach of the fouling team.

Like Rich, my whistle is typically late enough that it doesn't get questioned unless the coach is in a position to have a good view of it.

Great idea, I'm going to include this in my pregame from now on.