[BillyMac]

I continue to struggle with the IAABO interpretation regarding a five second closely guarded count with a screener:
2005 IAABO Refresher Exam - Question 22: A-1 is holding the ball in the front court and is closely guarded by B-1. As the official count is at two, A-2 takes and holds a position between A-1 and B-1. Official discontinues the 5 second closely guarded violating count. Is the official correct. Answer Yes, Citations 4-10, 4-23-1.

NFHS Rule 9-10-1b: A player shall not while closely guarded in his/her frontcourt control the ball for five seconds in an area enclosed by screening teammates.
NFHS 9.10.1 SITUATION D: Team A, while in possession of the ball in its frontcourt: (a) positions four players parallel with the sideline and they pass the ball from one to another with their arms reaching beyond the sideline plane; or (b) has four teammates surround dribbler A1. In both (a) and (b), the opponents are unable to get close to the ball. RULING: This is considered to be a closely-guarded situation and a violation in five seconds in both (a) and (b), if any B player is within 6 feet of the ball or within 6 feet of the screening teammates and is attempting to gain control of the ball. Preventing opponents from getting to the ball by using screening teammates becomes a violation in five seconds if the opponents are attempting to gain control.
However, both the NFHS Rule Book, and the NFHS Case Book, refer to "teammates" (plural). There is no NFHS casebook play, or any NFHS rule, that says the count continues if a single screening teammate is involved.

NCAA 4-13-4: "When a player is positioned between the player in control of the ball and his or her opponent, who is within six feet (men) or three feet (women), a closely guarded situation does not exist.
The NCAA is very clear on this, but this is not listed as a difference between NCAA and NFHS rules.

NFHS 2004-05 Points Of Emphasis:
1. Closely guarded. Well-officiated closely-guarded situations provide for better balance between offense and defense. When the closely guarded rules are not followed, there is a significant advantage for the offense. The following four areas are to be emphasized:
A. When to start. A closely guarded situation occurs when a player in control of the ball in his or her team's front court, is guarded by an opponent who is within six feet of that player who is holding or dribbling the ball. It should also be emphasized that the defensive player must obtain a legal guarding position. A player shall not hold the ball for five seconds or dribble the ball for five seconds while closely guarded in his or her front court. A player can legally hold the ball while closely guarded for four seconds, dribble the ball for four seconds and hold the ball again for four seconds before violating.
B. When to stop. A closely-guarded count ends when no defensive player is within six feet. The count also stops when a closely guarded player (a) completes a dribble anywhere in the team's own front court; (b) starts a dribble in the team's own frontcourt and ends it anywhere in the frontcourt (a new five-second count will start if the player holds the ball); (c) loses possession of the ball for any reason in the team's own frontcourt; or (d) has his or her dribble interrupted. If a closely-guarded player beats the defender(s) by getting head and shoulders past the defensive player, the count has ended.
C. Multiple defenders. The count should continue even if there is a defensive switch, provided the six-foot distance is maintained. There is no requirement for the defensive player to remain the same during the count as long as the offensive player is closely guarded throughout.
D. Counting mechanics. Emphasis should be placed on the official to begin a visible count when the six-foot distance is established. The official must switch arms when going directly from one counting situation to another.
This does not seem to support the IAABO interpretation to stop the count. The intervention of a screener is not one of the listed reasons to stop the count.

NFHS 4-23-1: Guarding is the act of legally placing the body in the path of an offensive opponent.
This seems to say that when A2 sets screen between A1 and B1, B1 can no longer guard A1 according to the definition of guarding, because B1 is not putting his or her body in the path of A1.

Is the definition of "guarding" the best reason for the IAABO interpretation to stop the count?