Closely Guarded Count

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by Fritz

Watched a lot of basketball this past week, like everyone else, but had a question about a closely guarded count. Does the player with the ball have to be facing the defender for there to be a CG count? Don't see that in the rules, but saw several situations where the offensive player would have the ball with his back to the basket, just outside the lane, and be dribbling trying to set up the defender for a post move. But no CG count was shown by the official. I wouldn't consider a few set-up dribbles to be actual moves to the basket, so why wouldn't you have a count here?

For a defender to obtain (NFHS)/establish (NCAA/FIBA) legal guarding position against an opponent, the defender must have both feet in contact with the floor (inbounds) and facing the opponent (the offensive player does not have to be facing the defensive player). There is no minimum distance required to obtain/establish legal guarding posisition, i.e., a defender can obtain/establish a legal guarding position against an opponent this is fifty (50) feet away, as long as he meets the requirments of obtaining/establishing a legal guarding position.

MTD, Sr.