NFHS closely guarded rule

[Coach Bill]

Regarding the closely guarded rule:

I had an official tell me that he NFHS rule book only says closely guarded, and no mention that a player has to also be within 6 feet. He said that distance doesn't matter, and that closely guarded is up to official's judgment.

I know the defender has to remain within 6 feet to maintain the count, but I don't know the rule/case reference. Could someone please post it?

Thanks.

[BillyMac]

4-10: A closely guarded situation occurs when a player in control of the ball in his/her
team’s frontcourt, is continuously guarded by any opponent who is within six feet
of the player who is holding or dribbling the ball. The distance shall be measured
from the forward foot/feet of the defender to the forward foot/feet of the ball
handler. A closely guarded count shall be terminated when the offensive player in
control of the ball gets his/her head and shoulders past the defensive player.

[letemplay]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

4-10: A closely guarded situation occurs when a player in control of the ball in his/her
team’s frontcourt, is continuously guarded by any opponent who is within six feet
of the player who is holding or dribbling the ball. The distance shall be measured
from the forward foot/feet of the defender to the forward foot/feet of the ball
handler. A closely guarded count shall be terminated when the offensive player in
control of the ball gets his/her head and shoulders past the defensive player.

Considering the last part of this rule, having the head and shoulders past the defensive player, would the offensive player need to be on a path TOWARDS the basket? Would moving in a lateral direction be enough to have the count dropped, provided the dribbler is by the defender?

[letemplay]

Originally Posted by letemplay

Considering the last part of this rule, having the head and shoulders past the defensive player, would the offensive player need to be on a path TOWARDS the basket? Would moving in a lateral direction be enough to have the count dropped, provided the dribbler is by the defender?

Can anyone answer my question here?

[truerookie]

Originally Posted by letemplay

Can anyone answer my question here?

No, the count should be maintained.

The distance is measured North/South.

[Rob1968]

Originally Posted by truerookie

No, the count should be maintained.

The distance is measured North/South.

Neither 4-10 nor 9-10, nor 9.10 make reference to directional orientation on the floor.
9.10.1(a) references the sideline, and (b) makes no reference to directional orientation.
Of course, the common desire of the offense is to advance the ball towards their basket. And, however rare, it is possible for a defender to be guarding within the 6-foot spec, as the dribbler moves across the court.
Also, in a trapping defensive mode, the defender(s) may be within the 6-foot spec but not on the side of the ballhandler that is closest to the offensive goal.
Please, help me out with your statement.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by truerookie

No, the count should be maintained.

The distance is measured North/South.

Gotta a rule reference that says that?

Once the dribbler is head/shoulders by the defender and moving away, the count should stop, as he's no longer in his path. North/South has nothing to do with it.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by letemplay

Considering the last part of this rule, having the head and shoulders past the defensive player, would the offensive player need to be on a path TOWARDS the basket? Would moving in a lateral direction be enough to have the count dropped, provided the dribbler is by the defender?

Originally Posted by letemplay

Can anyone answer my question here?

If A1 is moving laterally (parallel to division line) and the defender maintained a position that would put him in the path of A1 if A1 changed direction towards the endline then yes I would keep my count. If A1 has gotten far enough ahead that he could turn the corner and the defender would be trailing then I would stop my count.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by badnewsref

if a1 is moving laterally (parallel to division line) and the defender maintained a position that would put him in the path of a1 if a1 changed direction towards the endline then yes i would keep my count. If a1 has gotten far enough ahead that he could turn the corner and the defender would be trailing then i would stop my count.

+1

[tref]

Originally Posted by letemplay

Considering the last part of this rule, having the head and shoulders past the defensive player, would the offensive player need to be on a path TOWARDS the basket?

No

Originally Posted by letemplay

Would moving in a lateral direction be enough to have the count dropped, provided the dribbler is by the defender?

Yes

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by tref

No





Yes

disagree with your yes answer on lateral guarding.

Edit: unless 'by' means past defender?

[tref]

Originally Posted by fullor30

disagree with your yes answer on lateral guarding.

Edit: unless 'by' means past defender?

I interpreted "by" as meaning head & shoulders past the defender.

[JetMetFan]

If another defender switches onto the offensive player, assumes a closely-guarded situation and then the first defender leaves, the count continues.

9.10.1 SITUATION B:

While dribbling in A's frontcourt, A1 is closely guarded by B1. After two seconds, B2 also assumes a closely-guarded position on A1 and B1 leaves to guard A2.

RULING: The closely-guarded count continues. There is no requirement for the defensive player to remain the same during the count as long as A1 is closely-guarded throughout.

[BillyMac]

Defensive player B1 is closely guarding, less than six feet, dribbler A1. A1 dribbles, shoulder to shoulder, past legal screener A2. B1 goes behind screener A2 and still maintains a distance of less than six feet from the dribbler A1. Defensive player B1 continues to closely guard, less than six feet, dribbler A1 on the other side of the screen.

In a NFHS high school game, does the official continue his closely guarded count throughout this play?

[JetMetFan]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Defensive player B1 is closely guarding, less than six feet, dribbler A1. A1 dribbles, shoulder to shoulder, past legal screener A2. B1 goes behind screener A2 and still maintains a distance of less than six feet from the dribbler A1. Defensive player B1 continues to closely guard, less than six feet, dribbler A1 on the other side of the screen.

In a NFHS high school game, does the official continue his closely guarded count throughout this play?

You had to bring up that one, didn't you?

Since I read the case book play as I searched for the rule citation in my other post I'll exclude myself from answering.