You Make the Call- 5 Seconds or Shoulders and head around? (EP-23)

The closely guarded rule prevents an offensive player from running down the clock by maintaining possession without attempting to score. This violation rewards good defense and deters the offense from excessive delays.The official will maintain a visible count for the duration of the closely guarded period.

Closely Guarded
A player shall not hold the ball for 5 seconds or dribble the ball for five seconds while closely guarded.

A player is considered to be closely guarded if they have control of the ball in the front court, and is guarded by an opponent who is within 6 feet of the player with possession.

Know that:
• There is no closely guarded in the back court.
• Defensive players may switch with one another.
• Six feet (6 ft) is the magic distance.
• Five seconds (5) is the magic count.

Once an official begins a closely guarded count he should continue it till the play ends, even if the ball is swung to the other side of the court.

Changes in the Statues of the Ball Handler

A player in a closely guarded situation can hold the ball for 4 seconds, then dribble for 4 seconds, then hold the ball for 4 seconds without committing a violation.

The visible 5 count resets every time there is a change in the ball handler's "status."

Maintaining the Count
The defense must remain in the 6-foot radius for the count to continue. The defense must also still be between the basket and the ball handler. The official shall continue their visible count.

Ending the Count
The Closely Guarded count will end if:
• The ball is shot, passed, or lost by the offensive player.
• The ball becomes dead due to a foul or violation
• The 5 count is completed and the violation is called.
• The defense fails to maintain the 6 foot requirement.
• The ball handler gets their head and shoulders past the defense
• The defense is not between the ball handler and the basket.
• The ball handler changes their "status"

www.comeonrefs.com