WHat???

There is no requirement to maintain legal guarding position during a five second count.

4-10 does not ever state it. (definition of closely guarded)

4-23 defines guarding and tell you what needs to have happen to establish initial legal guarding position (both feet on the floor and guard's torso facing opponent)

Once intial legal guarding position is established the guard is not required to continue facing the opponent, etc....

The guard however must have inbounds status to maintain guarding 4-23-3

While I come to the same conclusion that the count would not continue (Rewarding someone for doing somrhing contrary to the rules)Lets not get perpetuate any myth that LGP must be maintained during a 5 second count.

MAybe this is semantics on this but ...