Nevadaref wroteGreat citation for areas which follow NFHS mechanics.
For behavior that is borderline, a quick verbal warning to alert the player or coach is okay and good communication, but probably won't prove helpful. However, I will stick with my earlier post and disagree with the need for a formal warning as frequently behavior which has reached that point warrants a T and sadly too many officials fail to charge one. Seems that they seek some remedy which doesn't carry a penalty. News flash: unless a poorly behaving individual is penalized, the undesired action usually won't stop. Why several officials seem afraid to penalize is a mystery to me and only causes problems later or for other officials. We are our own worst enemy sometimes.
The first T is the warning that the behavior is unacceptable. It carries a penalty of two FTs (and possession at the HS level). Failure to heed it will result in a stiffer penalty--two more FTs and a disqualification comes with the second T. The rules writers created the two T system for a reason (btw my very veteran friends tell me that it was three way back when!).
I guess this is reflective of my soccer referee training, but I look at this as a first yellow card and then a second yellow card (warrants a red). Of course, for behavior which is extreme in the first instance soccer referees may issue a red card immediately without first giving a yellow just a basketball has flagrant fouls (HS level).
IOW:
"How do you say 'freeze'?"
"Just shoot."