If I have the ball, I hold it on the hip in the direction we're going. It is a great reminder of which way we're going when I have a brain fart.

Official's manual 2.4.4 C.2 - 6 and 3.4.4 C. 2 - 6

This is what I do as well, standing at the spot. I get slightly annoyed when partners do their own thing (or use previous years' mechanics), but I'm working on it.

I've always been taught that the ball should not leave the throw-in spot. If a discussion is needed among the officials meet up at the throw-in spot. If the administering official is needed at the table or to talk to the coaches then another official should stand in for him at the throw-in spot. If no officials are available to stay at the throw-in spot then leave the ball there.

I think other officials are the only people who pay attention to where the official is holding the ball - one hip or the other. To take that philosophy a step further, one area I worked required us to have the ball in front of us while we are either on the court or off the court near the end line. If we were on the court, the ball was going the length of the court. If we were off the court, the ball was going to be put in play on the end line and stay on that end. Who could break this code? Only other officials.

Thanks, that is what I was looking for.

The only thing the IAABO procedure specifies is where the ball should be "during" the time out. I take that to mean after the reporting official says, "start the clock, please."

If I must report, and I have the ball, I'll bounce the ball to my partner before I report. I have to check with him on the throw-in spot, anyway, where he would be during the time-out. I don't see the point of putting it on the floor, until ROP.