I announce "5 seconds" rather than "closely guarded." Don't know why, and wouldn't suggest one over the other. That just seems to be what is used in this area.
Of course the first part of the mechanic is the visible count. Both the offense and defense, players and coaches, will key from this. (Last Saturday after turning the ball over due to a closely guarded 5-second count a player came to me and asked me if I would PLEASE give him a count indication next time. I explained that the call came from my partner. I didn't have time to explain that my partner did have a visible count....)
Next mechanic item is to switch hands when initiating a new count. That happens if the ballhandler begins or ends the dribble, or the ball is given to a team mate who is also closely guarded. It also happens if the separation momentarily exceeds 6'.
And finally, in California there is a rules modification for girls. The closely guarded rule applies only when the ball is held, not when it is dribbled. However, it applies in both the front and back courts.
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Tue Nov 26, 2002, 03:29pm
Hybrid Mode
