Can someone tell me how the 5-second closely guarded count is administered in High School Basketball. I have talked with several officials in my area (mostly young officials)but they cannot seem to give me a straight answer. It has been 11 years since I officiated High School Basketball and I know how the rule was administered at that time but not now. Is a new count started when a player holding the ball starts a dribble and visa versa or is it all just one 5-second count combined. That is the answer that I got from several officials here (just one 5-second count combined) and I do not believe that is right.

6 feet from the ball handler.
 

You get a 5 second count for holding a ball. You get another 5 second count when you start a dribble. Then one more 5 second count when you hold the ball again. Of course this all only applies if the defender is guarding the ball handler within 6 feet. If a defender is not within 6 feet, any closely guarded count should end.

Peace

5-second Closely Guarded
 

Thanks for this reply...That is the way I thought the rule was administered. But since I have been out of HS basketball officiating for 11 years, even with my previous experience, it seems that many younger officials don't think I can tell them anything to help them. A lot of younger officials (in my area) are getting too cocky these days. They think that the only way to solve any problem on the court is to call a Technical Foul if any player or coach disagrees.

Greetings from beautiful downtown Houston everyone!

To add to what JRutt said....

It doesn't have to be the same defender guarding the whole 5 seconds - in other words, if a second defender meets the criteria for closely guarding, the count continues even if the original defender no longer does.....

I probably would not listen to you either if you have not been officiating for such a long period of time. Eleven years is a long time. A lot has changed in that period of time. I would never say you have no knowledge, but so much has changed that what took place at that time, does not really apply across the board today. You might know that one rule, but many are not the same.

Peace

That only applies to HS rules. That does not apply to either college level.

Peace

11 years out
 

All of these answers are quite helpful...and you are right...a lot has changed in 11 years. We are only officiating a men's church league and the guys I am working with are relatively young officials. I have been the first to tell them that I do not know a lot of the changes in the rules over the last several years but I want them to help me. Since I could not get the answer that I felt was correct in this case, I came to this forum. Thanks for all of the comments.

Usually, very poorly. ;)

I went 26 years between certifications. I had a lot to unlearn. My advice would be to take the class in the fall even if you do not go any further than that.

Jeff, that's what the question was about, HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL. He didn't ask about any other level.

I am fully aware of that Tony. Just wanted to make it clear the NCAA rules were different. I did not answer that just for the benefit of the person asking the original question. Some of us that read this board work college too ya know.

Peace

Tony, it never hurts to clarify and be specific. You never know who might be lurking and mis-understand.

Hey, Tim.

Are you working the Kingwood Classic this weekend? My son's team will be there.