5 second closely guarded
 

Please help a coach...we're playing in summer leagues...in preparation for fall league...which of course is in preparation for winter hs bball season. We currently don't have real refs who can answer this rules question with any confidence, but we need to understand the rule before winter ball practice begins --- would someone please describe NFHS GIRLS (New York State) 5-sec closely guarded rule, specifically: is it front court only violation (girls have no 10 second rule to bring ball to half court, although boys do)? Does rule pertain to held ball, dribbled ball or both? Can player simply dribble backwards out of arms reach to stop 5-second count? Thanks in advance.

The NFHS doesn't publish different rules for boys and girls competition (unlike the NCAA). Using NFHS rules, the count applies to both held ball & dribbling situations. The count begins anew when a player goes from dribbling to holding and vice versa (ex. dribble for four seconds and hold for four). If the player is no longer closely guarded (ex. beyond 6 ft) the count stops. I'm not sure if there are any modifications in NY, though.

Thanks ice...frontcourt, backcourt or both?


We must have some exceptions to NFHS rules being same for boys & girls in NYS since boys have 10-sec to cross centercourt while girls do not.

The closely guarded rule only applies to the frontcourt.

IF the girls aren't required to get the ball to the front court in 10 seconds, then they might be using a shot clock. IF you use a shot clock, then you might also use the NCAA closely guarded rule -- for women, that's only while holding the ball (not while dribbling) and anywhere on the court (not just the front court).

NY state girls HS use slightly modified NCAA women's rules.

5 second violation for holding the ball only, not dribbling, in the front court or the backcourt. Also, there is no 10 second count in the backcourt. Also, closely guarded is within 3 feet, not 6 feet. Since there is no closely held count while dribbling your other question related to dribbling away from the defender isn't relevant.

This is different fcorm NCAA men's and NFHS rule, which is holding or dribbling the ball in the frontcourt only (plus/minus some other minor differences you don't really care about). The defender must be within 6 feet.

Thanks...5 seconds, holding ball only, entire court, 3 feet...must commit to memory...