Delay of inbound
 

Apparently this is a thing now; the player inbounding the ball on a baseline out of bounds play stands in bounds until their team is set up and then steps back so that you can hand them the ball.

Is this something that should be dealt with, or is it just mildly annoying to me and I should get over it? I guess if it gets excessive you could issue a DOG warning?

Not a DOG. Ever. This doesn't fit the criteria.

"Blue, let's go."
If he doesn't move immediately, put the ball down and start counting.

This is not a situation where you can assess a delay of game warning. Under NFHS rules, there are only four situations where you can assess a DOG warning, and this is not one of them.

Either wait for the thrower to get OOB and administer the throw-in or put the ball on the ground and start the throw-in. I would highly suggest going with the first option.

In a NCAA DI women's game last night where I was in attendance, one particular official was rather fond of using the second option. Happened several times. First time I think I've seen that. The other two were more inclined to wait the one or two seconds for the thrower to get OOB.

Is the rule different in NCAAW?

Once the official deems the ball is at the disposal of the thrower and has reasonable time to take the ball OOB, the throw-in begins once the official begins the throw-in count.

4-4
ART. 7

A ball is at the disposal of a player when it is:

d. Available to a player after a goal and the official begins the throw-in count.

4.42.3 SITUATION:

Following a goal by A1 the ball is: (a) inadvertently deflected under the bleachers; (b) bouncing on the court just outside the end line as B1 makes his/her way toward the ball; or (c) lying on the court just outside the end line as B1 delays the inbound by getting instruction from his/her coach. When does the throw-in begin and the ball become live?

RULING: In (a), the official shall signal for the clock to be stopped. The throw-in begins and the ball becomes live when it is at the disposal of Team B. In (b) and (c), the throw-in begins and the ball becomes live when it is available to B1 and the official begins the throw-in count. In (c), the throw-in count begins when the official determines B1 has had ample time to secure the ball; it need not be in B1's possession. (4-4-7d)

This is not really relevant to the OP. Apples and oranges.

I'm inclined to wait if it's only a second or two. I'm not even addressing that. Regardless of which option you choose, though, it looks bad if the refs are each doing it differently.

Agreed, but there is a case play or interp that's right on point.

And, it says you can put the ball down and start your count.

When to do it is part of the art of officiating.

I'm not standing by idly while this is going on. Had it this weekend and I told the thrower-in to step out. I say it every time immediately upon recognition of what's being attempted.

My mistake ... for some reason my mind went to the ball being on the floor inbounds after a made basket.

I do exactly the same - I will say "step out" one time and then if they don't, I'll drop the ball out of bounds and start my count.

The correct mechanic is to place the ball on the floor AND sound the whistle.
Please don't just drop the ball so that it bounces in the throw-in spot.

Had a veteran official the other day who said to my partner in a critique, "you don't want to put the ball on the floor in that situation." An hour later I'm home watching a D1 game on ESPN2 and saw an official put the ball on the floor after a pretty short wait while the thrower was focused on getting instructions from the bench. Opinions are like @$$holes, I guess...

For me, when the wait becomes ludicrous and the thrower has repeatedly ignored me, I'll put it down. And yes, I sound the whistle when doing this; one final opportunity to indicate, "dude, I'm serious!"

Here, we sound the whistle, point in the direction, say the color, set the ball down, and start counting.

I'll wait a few seconds after the second horn, but if the team(s) make no attempt to come out of the huddle(s), I look at my partner, nod, and set the ball down. Teams know we do this, so we seldom have this problem.

What do you do when thrower-in stays inbounds so his team can set up?