Closely Guarded

[rainmaker]

Originally posted by blindzebra
A1 is dribbling up the sideline. B1 has established LGP and is giving ground directly in front of A1. A1 crosses the division line and B1 is within 6 feet, a count begins, correct?

A1 then changes direction and moves toward the center of the court and the top of the key. B1 slides diagonally with A1 maintaining LGP and is within 6 feet, but is no longer directly in front of A1, but is moving on a parallel path. Do you keep your count?

BZ -- First of all, the definition of LGP doesn't include being "in the path" so it IS possible to establish LGP on someone who is holding the ball, and not dribbling. All that is required for LGP is to be to have initially had both feet on the floor and be facing the opponent. So here, we discover another problem with the way the book is written. The definition of guarding says, "in the path", but that doesn't seem to be required by LGP, or for closely guarded. And being "in the path" is definitely not defined at all.

Secondly, in the play given above, I would maintain the count when the paths are parallel instead of identical.

Originally posted by blindzebra
What is the purpose of the closely guarded count?

Possible answers:

1. To reward good defense.

2. To keep the game from becoming actionless.

3. To penalize showboating, by limiting a Curly Neal/And One dribbling display.

How is it rewarding good defense when Dan is requiring B1 to defend the division line if A1 turns away from the basket? It's not. It is illogical and is contradictory to the intent of the rule.

It also allows both 2 and 3 because A1 can end the count any time they face away from B1.

I would think if A1 was trying to get away with this, that good defense would include a double team that would effectively cut off any path at all for the ball. Then the count would continue.