Hello, I'm new to this site and to the officiating scene. I have a question. What is the textbook definition of legal guarding position?

There is no textbook definition, only a rule book definition.

4-23-1
Guarding is the act of legally placing the body in the path of an offensive opponent. There is no minimum distance required between the guard and opponent, but the maximum is 6 feet when closely guarded. Every player is entitled to a spot on the playing court provided such player gets there first without illegally contacting an opponent. A player who extends an arm, shoulder, hip or leg into the path of an opponent is not considered to have a legal position if contact occurs.

You can download the NCAA rulebook from the NCAA web site (ncaa.org). The definition of legal guarding position is in Rule 4, Section 33, on page 80.

Make sure to get a rulebook for whatever rules govern the games you are going to do. NCAA rules and NFHS rules are similar (even identical) on many points, but differ quite a bit.

[Edited by Lotto on Jan 18th, 2005 at 06:17 AM]

Tony,
I think that it would also be good, if you provided articles 2-5. I'm not going to type them out, but I believe that you have an electronic copy.