5 second closely guarded

[mick]

Originally posted by tschriver
I'm looking for advise after hearing many coaches say: "the five second is suspended on the drive to the basket"

I do not believe the NFHS rule book indicates this is the case. If you are dribbling or holding the ball, the 5 second count continues. Unless you begin the act of shooting, the count would continue.

If a defender maintains a legal guarding position on an offensive player who is driving (dribbling) to the basket, once 5 seconds has elapsed, a violation has occurred.

Is this a correct assumption??????? If it is, why do so many people talk about the suspended 5 second count one a player "drives" to the basket? Was it a rule at one time?

tschriver,
Some of the vets here can clear that up for you, I am sure.
In the old days when I played the ball had to be "advanced" every so often. Maybe the "myth" has something to do with ssome old rules of "once the ball is advanced".
For me, if the defender stays on a line between the basket and the ball handler, my count will continue. But let the dribbler get an 1/8-1/4 step ahead of the defender, and I'm only looking for contact.
mick