How do you measure closely guarded?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

I have been given some tips on how to use the markings on the floor to help judge that six-foot distance during play.

1. The FT line to the the top of the FT semi-circle is six feet.
2. The division line to the top of the center restraining circle is six feet.
3. The width of the FT lane is twelve feet. So from the middle of the lane to either side is six feet.
4. Any two adjoining marked lane spaces encompass six feet of space.
5. If you are standing on the 28' has mark which forms the end of the coaching box nearest the table and looking straight across the court, it is exactly three feet to the three point line at the apex of the FT semi-circle.

6. On a standard HS court, it's just about 12' (I think it's really 12'3" or something) between the 3-point arc and the center circle.

Helpful hints on measuring that six feet. I'll have to keep these in mind.

I did have a coach on Saturday morning (Boys JV game) who kept yelling "five" every time any of his guys were in a LGP on someone with a ball, even when they weren't remotely close to six feet within. A couple times, he was yelling it when they didn't have LGP. 1st Q, I kind of let it go as stupidity on his part, but early in 2nd Q, I realized he was trying to be an a** so I talked to him during a dead ball and told him they have to be six feet or less and LGP. He pretty much knocked it off after, yelling "five" only when he saw my partner or I swing our arms on the count. Halftime, I told him to knock it off or he would be getting the gift that taketh the box in the 2nd half.

[bigdogrunnin]

Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch

Helpful hints on measuring that six feet. I'll have to keep these in mind.

I did have a coach on Saturday morning (Boys JV game) who kept yelling "five" every time any of his guys were in a LGP on someone with a ball, even when they weren't remotely close to six feet within. A couple times, he was yelling it when they didn't have LGP. 1st Q, I kind of let it go as stupidity on his part, but early in 2nd Q, I realized he was trying to be an a** so I talked to him during a dead ball and told him they have to be six feet or less and LGP. He pretty much knocked it off after, yelling "five" only when he saw my partner or I swing our arms on the count. Halftime, I told him to knock it off or he would be getting the gift that taketh the box in the 2nd half.

I have done this before . . .when a coach or a team on the bench has been repeatedly counting as I count my 5-sec CG count . . . I stop counting and drop my arm. Coach asks why . . . "Coach, when you start counting over me, I get lost and have to start over." Usually ends their counting, and allows me to do the job. Doesn't work for everyone, and I am certain some will disagree, but wanted to put it out there.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch

Helpful hints on measuring that six feet. I'll have to keep these in mind.

I did have a coach on Saturday morning (Boys JV game) who kept yelling "five" every time any of his guys were in a LGP on someone with a ball, even when they weren't remotely close to six feet within. A couple times, he was yelling it when they didn't have LGP. 1st Q, I kind of let it go as stupidity on his part, but early in 2nd Q, I realized he was trying to be an a** so I talked to him during a dead ball and told him they have to be six feet or less and LGP. He pretty much knocked it off after, yelling "five" only when he saw my partner or I swing our arms on the count. Halftime, I told him to knock it off or he would be getting the gift that taketh the box in the 2nd half.

LGP is not required.

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

LGP is not required.

You are correct in saying it's not required per the closely guarded rule, but when applying the definition of guarding, it is required, otherwise, you could have a defender who's back is facing the dribbler and start a count. By rule, that can't happen because the defender does not have a guarding position as defined by the rule.

4-10 says: A closely guarded situation occurs when a player in control of the ball is in his/her team's frontcourt, is continously guarded by any opponent who is within six feet of the player who is holding or dribbling the ball. The distance shall be measured from the forward foot/feet of the defender to the forward foot/feet of the ball handler. A closely guarded count shall be terminated when the offensive player in control of the ball gets his/her head and shoulder past the defensive player.


4-23-1 says: Guarding is the act of legally placing the body in the path of an offensive opponent. There is no minimum distance required between the guard and opponent, but the maximum is 6 feet when closely guarded.

4-23-2-b says: The front of the guard's torso must be facing the opponent.

Before you read me the riot act that I'm reading too much into it, I had a D3/NAIA/JUCO official read me the riot act for not applying the above 3 citations correctly in a closely guarded situation in a HS JV game he was watching me work a few years ago. To top it off, said official is also an attorney, so I didn't question his cross-referencing, etc.

Yes, Snaqwells, you are correct the rule does not require LGP, but the applications of the definitions does. Sorry if I sounded like a snot or something, but just wanted to point out why I used LGP in my posting.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

6. On a standard HS court, it's just about 12' (I think it's really 12'3" or something) between the 3-point arc and the center circle.

For an 84' court that distance is exactly 11'.
For a 94' court it would be 16'.

Note that the top of the 3-point arc is 25' from the end line.