<P> High school rules mimic men's college basketball's closely guarded rule . A defender must be guarding the player in control of the ball, in the frontcourt, and must be within six feet of the player . A player may be holding or dribbling the ball . If defensive teammates switch, and both are within six feet of the player in control of the ball, the same count is continued . </P> <P> Under FIBA rules, a defender must be within one meter of a player holding the ball and must be in an active guarding position . This count can occur anywhere on the playing court . </P> <P> In the NBA this rule is applied only in a throw in scenario . </P> <P> A five - second count will begin if an offensive player with the ball and not facing - up starts dribbling below the free throw line extended while being closely guarded or starts dribbling outside and then penetrates below the free throw line extended while being closely guarded . (The five - second count commences when the offensive player penetrates the free throw line extended .) After five seconds, a violation will have occurred and the offensive team will lose possession . </P>

When does the 5 second count start in basketball