NFHS:
B1 is closley guarding A1, who is 3 feet from him and dribbling in place trying to run out the clock with the lead at the end of a close game. A1 takes two hard steps directly towards the basket. Defender B1 retreats on the jab steps but stays within 4-5 feet of A1. A1 probably could have beaten B1 to attempt a lay up, but instead he holds up again, he is just trying to run out the clock.

Does the closely guard count continue through out this scenario or does it end when A1 attacks the basket for those 2 steps?

The way I read this I would say yes, continue the 5 second count. Unless A1 can get by B1 on the drive or he retreats to 6 feet or more I will continue to count.

The rule never says anything about attacking to the basket. If the player is closely guarding then he is closely guarding. The rule is to reward good defense.

The player dribbling the ball is trying to run out the clock, B is defending-trying to force a turnover. I'd say call it.

If A goes to the basket, and B stays with him playing good defense I will call the closely guarded call.

Unless the offensive player gets a shoulder past the torso of the defender on his drive the count has to remain on. The defender is still legally guarding the player.

[Edited by w_sohl on Jan 23rd, 2003 at 11:29 AM]

what is legally in front of the player? The rule says closely guarded I dont recall anywhere where the rule states that you must be in legal guarding position to be closely guarding another player.

You have to be in a guarding position to have a closely guarded count. Guarding is the act of legally placing the body in the path of an offensive opponent. Chasing him from behind after he's by you is not in his path.