5-second closely guarded rule
 

Could someone please post the NFHS 5-second closely guarded rule?

We had a minor to-do in our boys middle school game. According to the league rules on the website, we were playing NFHS rules, but a league official at the game said that as long as the playing was dribbling - there was no 5-second count. So, the refs didn't call it. It was pretty comical at times. A few times we had one of their ball handlers closely guarded for 8-9-10 seconds. I argued the first time, but that's when the refs told me I was right, but this league doesn't go by that.

I think the league official is confused with international rules, or NCAA or is the girl's rule different with a shot-clock?

Anyway, I'd like to send them the text of the rule. So, if someone could help, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

NF rule 9-10

Art. 1...A player shall not while closely guarded:
a. In his/her frontcourt, hold the ball for five seconds or dribble the ball for five seconds.
b. In his/her frontcourt, control the ball for five seconds in an area enclosed by screening teammates.

Art. 2...A closely guarded count shall not be started during an interrupted dribble.

Art. 3...A closely guarded count shall be terminated during an interrupted dribble.

In NCAAW, there's only a closely guarded count while holding the ball anywhere on the court while a defender is within 3'.

Who You Gonna Call? Mythbusters ...
 

The closely guarded rule is in effect in frontcourt only, when a defender is within six feet of the ball handler. Up to three separate five-second counts may occur on the same ball handler, holding, dribbling, and holding. The count continues even if defenders switch. The five-second count ends when a dribbler gets his or her head and shoulders ahead of the defender.

The NCAA Men used that rule for ONE season. It was 1995-96, then they scrapped it.
The rule for the NCAA Women is currently that way.

Isn't FIBA similiar to NCAA-W (3 ft/1 m holding the ball)?

As long as there is at least one defender within 6' of the dribbler/ball handler.

The FIBA rule for closely guarded is actively guarding somebody within 1 metre, and anywhere on the court. The rule only applies if the opponent is holding the ball.

Also, keep in mind the closely guarded rule (FED) does require that the defender must have legal guarding position, meaning he/she must be between the basket and the person with the ball. I can't tell you how many times I've seen an official do the count when the defender didn't have LGP that fit the definition.

Yes, the NCAA Women's is similar to FIBA; the FIBA rule applies to the entire court (both front and back), meaning you can have both five- and eight-second counts simultaneously.

MTD, Sr.

Also, the 6' closely guarded rule is measured from the forward foot of the defender to the forward foot of the ball handler NOT a hand reaching forward.

Bob is always right! Our league is playing AAU rules. Girls' AAU goes by NCAA women's rules. Boys AAU goes by NFHS. That's where the confusion was. Everything's squared away now - we're playing NFHS rules, and thanks everyone for the help.

Overkill? I always thought you get to five and blow your whistle :D

Just curious RUW, where do you see the fact that the defender must be between the basket and the player with the ball?

According to NFHS Rules Book Rule 4-23-2:

ART. 2 . . . To obtain an initial legal guarding position:
a. The guard must have both feet touching the playing court.
b. The front of the guard's torso must be facing the opponent.

I don't see any reference to the basket, here. Is it listed somewhere else?

I'm also trying to figure out where the requirement is for LGP. I haven't found that one, either.

Because I haven't been doing girls game-- just to make sure

the 5 rule is only when a player is holding the ball? In the front and backcourt? So no dribbling five seconds like the boys?

Also, can it only be done after a dribble or can the count be started before the dribble and she is closely guarded?

In NCAAW the five second count is only on a held ball, anywhere on the court, when a defender is within 3 feet, so no count while dribbling. And no not only AFTER a dribble, anytime the ball is being held, before or after the dribble. If my memory serves me right, in CA H.S. girls play with a 30 second shot clock and this rule pertains to them too.

Ok, I was thinking it was only on after the dribble. Luckily, nothing like that has come up yet.

That's because it doesn't exist.

In California
 

Boys are standard in FED: Defender within 6'-0", dribbling or holding, front court

Girls are similar to NCAA, but instead of 3'-0" it is 6'-0" the rest is the same as NCAA, holding the ball only anywhere on the court. It is a result of us using the shot clock.

I don't think it's in the rule book, but it seems like common sense that the defender must be between the basket and the player (if he's dribbling). Otherwise, the player would be considered to have his head and shoulders in front of the defender and thus the count is off.

Conversely, if he's not dribbling, and is pivoting, the defender will often not be between him and the basket and the count should be on.

Not all dribbler's are going to the basket.