[just another ref]

This is a rule that I think could use some work on the way it is worded. The definition of guarding is "legally placing the body in the path of an offensive opponent." From here we look at the definition of legal guarding position:a.The guard must have both feet touching the floor.
b. The front of the guard's torso must be facing the opponent.
Therefore the rulebook definition of "guarding" could consist of "just standing there" as long as the defender is facing his opponent. In layman terms I think most of us think of guarding as attempting to keep someone from scoring. Based on this assumption, can you guard someone who is 6 feet away. I say no. Therefore in the real world most closely-guarded counts probably start in 3-4 foot range when the defender has assumed some sort of defensive posture. Taking some liberties with the rule as written? Yes, but no more so than in countless other cases.