3 seconds

[ChuckElias]

Originally Posted by Almost Always Right

Do you suspend the 3 second count while the offensive player keeps "working for their shot"?

You only suspend the count when a player who dribbles in or tries "immediately" for goal. If you are pivoting to "keep working for the shot", then you are not dribbling in for a shot, nor are you making an "immediate" try. Violation. I don't think the rule is vague at all.

Could you have a 5 second closely guarded before you have 3 second violation?

The only way to get a 5-second closely guarded violation on a player in the lane is if the count was at 2 when he entered the lane. Otherwise, you'll get to 3 first.