Basketball · Official Basketball Rules

Law 27: Closely Guarded Player

2 parts · 2 tests · 20 facts · updated 22 October 2026 · markdown

When a player holding the ball is closely guarded, and the 5 seconds to pass, shoot or dribble.

27.271Closely Guarded

Holding the ball, 1 metre, an active legal guarding position.

A player holding a live ball is closely guarded when an opponent is in an active legal guarding position no more than 1 m away.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 27.1 · recall
A closely guarded player must pass, shoot or dribble within 5 seconds.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 27.2 · recall
The defender must be no more than 1 m away.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 27.1 · recall
The definition is about a player who is holding a live ball.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 27.1 · applied
Any of the three ends the count.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 27.2 · recall
The defender must be in an active legal guarding position, not just close.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 27.1 · applied
Exceeding the 5 seconds is a violation.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22, 27 · recall
Five seconds closely guarded without a pass, shot or dribble is a violation.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 27.2 · applied
1 m, 1.30 m and 4.90 m.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 2.5, 27.1 · applied
Only A has a defender in an active legal position within 1 m of a player holding the ball.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 27.1 · applied

Acting in time, and the penalty when he does not.

Dribbling within 5 seconds satisfies the rule.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 27.2 · applied
A shot within 5 seconds is one of the allowed ways out.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 27.2 · applied
The rule concerns a player holding a live ball on the court.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 27.1 · recall
The closely guarded rule is for a player on the court; the thrower-in has his own 5-second limit (Art. 17).
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 17.3.1, 27.1 · applied
Being closely guarded needs the defender within 1 m.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 27.1 · applied
As for most violations, the opponents throw in from the place nearest the infraction.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22.2 · recall
Holding the ball under close guard can last 5 seconds at most.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 27.2 · applied
Passing within 5 seconds ends the count.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 27 · applied
Holding, a defender within 1 m, then the 5-second count.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 27 · recall
The limit is 5 seconds: C (5.5 s) is the first moment beyond it.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 27.2 · applied

FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Article 27 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)