Ahh I think I now see were our ideas differ.

You indicate that closely guarding does not require obtaining LGP.

I think Situation 9.10.1.C addresses this nicely. Although used earlier in the thread I am going to quote it again:

Team A has the ball in its own FC. B1 stands within 6 feet facing A1 while A1 is holding the ball near the division line. RULING: In five seconds this would be a violation. In the sitaution outlined, as soon as B1 has assumed a guarding position, both feet on the court, facing the opponent, no other specific requirement is in effect. The amount of movement or the actual body position of the player is irrelevant" Emphasis added

As you probably recognize, the highlighted words reflect how LGP is initially established 4.23.2.
As you know situations supplement the rule book.

So in the example you outlined,

"Image B1 who takes a position between A1 (dribbler) and the basket (guarding). However, B1 never faces A1 (no LGP). A1 is furiously attempting to drive to the basket but B1 constantly moves to cut off A1's path while never facing A1. There is never any contact so LGP is not relevant. However, B1 continuously maintains a position that is 2'-4' from A1."

No count can start in this example until B1 "has assumed a guarding position, both feet on the court, facing the opponent" (Sit 9.10.1c).

So hence the only conclusion we can come too is that once LGP is established "PATH " (direction) has no bearing on guarding. and since "Closely guarding" requires LGP a violation (Closely guarded) should have been called after 5 seconds based upon the description in the OP. Seems like such a long time ago.

I hope this also answers BACK_IN_THE_SADDLE comments:o

Thank you both for your thoughts:)

You seem to have overlooked a rather basic rule:

SECTION 23 GUARDING
ART. 1 . . . 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. Every player is entitled to a spot on the playing court provided such player gets there first without illegally contacting an opponent. A player who extends an arm, shoulder, hip or leg into the path of an opponent is not considered to have a legal position if contact occurs.

This section defines regular old guarding, article 2 further defines legal guarding position. Article 1, regular old guarding, plus a distance restriction, clearly is sufficient for a closely guarded count. Even without the further requirements of LGP. Also, as the basis for LGP, regular old guarding cannot be disregarded. In other words, path still matters to LGP because without path you are not even guarding, let alone have LGP.

Consider:

c. The guard may move laterally or obliquely to maintain position, provided it is not toward the opponent when contact occurs.

This is one of the extra protections afforded the guard by obtaining LGP. What "position" is it that the guard is moving to maintain? It is a position in the opponents path. That is the fundamental basis for guarding.

No, of course not. There's no yelling and name-calling. :(

I'll have to admit I've never considered these ideas when thinking about closely-guarded. Perhaps it's because my focus is in NCAA-W, where the closely-guarded count is only on a held ball, and there is no "path" to consider. ;)

So the <B>only</B> time you would have a count is when the guard is in front of (or trying to stay in front of) the direction the opponent is moving? So how do you justify a count in the case where B1 is in between A1 and the basket, while A1 dribbling "east/west"? A1's "path", if taken literally, is the direction they're moving, and B1 was never in front of that direction. (Or are you going to add another term not mentioned or defined in the rules: "assumed path"? ;) )

Fwiw, I think the mention of the word path in the guarding definition was meant to dissuade the very action mentioned in the OP - simply following or shadowing a dribbler without trying to hinder their direction for the sole purpose of getting a 5-sec. violation. For example, to obtain LGP there is no mention of being in the path. We all know LGP can be obtained by the defender setting up behind the offensive player, such as in the post. What if that post player dribbles away from the basket to create space, but the defender moves with them - the defender is obviously not in the path, but yet we would continue the count when the defender stays within 6 feet. Or are you going to use that undefined term of "assumed path", since you would "assume" A1 was going to move towards the basket and B1 was in that "assumed" path, not the "actual" path? And what rules basis do you use to determine "intent" of a path?

Also, there is a specific mention in the rules that the count stops once the dribbler gets head and shoulders past the defender <B>on a drive to the basket</B>. Why isn't the count stopped if the same thing happens in all other dribbling and guarding situations?

I understand the phrase "in the path" is used in the definition of guarding, but I'm not sure we should get too literal in it's use without additional case plays or guidance.

I am sorry there has been so much discussion in regards to this I do not follow. I thought all was covered. The 6 foot distance applies only to Closely guarded (4.23) which requires LGP at per Sit 9.10.1.c
So in th OP it was stated

OK in OP

I conclude that the count should have continued and a 5 second violation called.


Now there was a discsuion in regards to "path",
path simply means to confront the opponent direction; the route the opponent would like to go. this means any direction. Does not play any role in obtaining Legal guarding position.

Guarding does not require any of the parties to have a ball;
Gurading does not mean it is a 1 on 1 either

to obtain legal guarding position the guard must mave both both feet on the court, facing the opponent. See rule/s 4.23.2a AND 4.23.2b for exact definition .

to obtain closely guarded position the defender must have legal guarding position and be within a 6 foot radius of the ball player (Sit 9.10.1C) for a count to start.

So my friends I am not quite sure what you are referring too.

What I think you are might be doing is reading 4.10 and assuming. The situation 9.10.1C clearly addresses Closely guarded and when a count should start. Rule 4.10 is a bit vague and says nothing about a count Rule 9.10 does. but is clarified by Situation 9.10.1C

As you know in BB you cannot read just one rule/article and assume (I am NOT preaching). We need to understand all or at least try too, hence these type of discussions.
I believe it was stated that we as officials tend to make the rules more complex and involved. I do not profess to know the rules but when a rule or sitaution spell it out in no uncertain terms (I refer again to 4.23, Situations 4.23.1-3, 9.10.1c) then I stick too it. as they say Keep It Simple . If it is in the book noone can argue ... but wait the answer to the OP question should have ended a long time ago :confused:;)

I wish there is an interpretter who could guide us is this forum.

The rule does not state direction ie <B>on a drive to the basket</B>. The rule states :

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." Nothing about direction or PATH or any other words

Also once as Situation 9.10.1.C says once LGP has been established, movemnet does not matter, so the count starts the second offensive is facing defender who has his/her 2 feet planted, ans is within the 6 foot circle. They could dance and go any direction the count continues as long as the offensive player and defender remain with 6 feet and the LGP requirement spelt out in 9.10.1C has been initially obtained. (will not talk about defender 2 taking over)

Please see previous thread

No where does it explicitly state that LGP is required to start closely guarded. I have to ask, would you start counting in Camron's play?:

Well, crap, you're right - there goes one of my arguments. Maybe I should just stay out of this. Well, ok, maybe not. :)

Does this section then provide the basis for not counting in the OP? Since the defender trailed the dribbler, was the dribbler's head and shoulders past the defender, and thus the count ends?

Well, I think "on a drive to the basket" is clearly the intent of the rule, otherwise all a dribbler would have to do to end the count would be start heading towards the division line.

If I'm defending a dribbler, and he's heading towards a sideline or the division line, I'm likely to let him and just shadow him that direction.

And if they manage to get more than 6 feet away from the defender, they would be successful in stopping the count.

Nice try, but no cigar. All this says is that LGP within 6' is sufficient for a CG count. It doesn't say it is necessary.

Go check out 9.10.1D. It's ruling is a CG violation when a player is within 6' and says nor implies nothing about LGP.

So again, LGP is not necessary for CG.....but is usually present and is sufficient for a CG count if it is within 6.

Also note that 9.10.1C is for a stationary player. It implies nothing about a moving/dribbling player...where the definition of guarding requires being in the "path" to be guarding. 9.10.1C is merely present to cover the hole with the definition of guarding and its requirement of being in the "path" (which doesn't exist for a stationary player).

How do you define getting the head/shoulder past the defender then? Your interpratation breaks down with this citation. Path is implied otherwise there would be no point to the rule...."past the defensive player" relative to what?
Except that the rule you just cited says that the count shall stop....and it doesn't say anything about losing LGP.

While that may be the primary intent, I don't think it is the only intent.

Thank you Captain Obvious.

there wasn't nearly enough name calling here

I'll agree there are other situations, but I think the large majority of them involve at least advancing the ball towards the basket.

:D

I feel better now.