How do you measure closely guarded?

[biz]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

1. The FT line to the the top of the FT semi-circle is six feet.

Is that right? I haven't pulled out my court markings guide in a while, but isn't the FT line 15 feet from the basket and 3 point line 19'9". I could be wrong but that was my recollection.

[CMHCoachNRef]

Originally Posted by biz

Is that right? I haven't pulled out my court markings guide in a while, but isn't the FT line 15 feet from the basket and 3 point line 19'9". I could be wrong but that was my recollection.

biz,
You are correct. The FT line is 15 feet to the BACKBOARD while the 19'9" is measured to the CENTER OF THE BASKET (since it doesn't make sense to measure the arc from the back board). In reality, most folks would tell you that a jumper from the top of the key is actually a 21 footer -- and a shot from the FT line is a 15 footer.

[biz]

gotcha...thanks for the distinction...I guess I missed the fine print on that one.

[deecee]

I carry a 2 meter ruler that i lay on the floor at the tip of the farthest forward foot of the defender. If the ruler makes contact with the offensive player i have a count. It just gets tricky constantly laying the ruler down and picking it up and NOT effecting the play at all. But I think after 3 years of doing this I am getting better.

[Texas Aggie]

I don't think the intent of this rule is for us to have to get out a tape measure or even remember distances on court markings (which are still helpful, btw). The rule has to have something objective (i.e. distance in feet), but the committee knows that we won't be precise. Thus the intent here is to officiate the "guarded" portion of closely guarded as much as the "closely." Make sure the defender is actually guarding the offensive player. Factors include, but aren't limited to: the offensive player adjusting the dribble, where or how he/she holds the ball, whether they turned their body, etc. Essentially, I'm looking for an offensive player who is challenged or threatened by a defender before I have a CG count. Are they adjusting their play due to a defender being present?

Another reference you can use for distance is the arm length. Generally, an arm is roughly 3 feet and most defenders have at least part of their arm out. Are they more than another full arm's length away? If so, no count. If not, you might have a count.