The new proposed definition of ‘guarding’ is to include the term ‘focused on’. What does a defending player need to do to meet this requirement (distinct from the existing requirement of reacting) in order to be legitimately guarding for the purposes of picks and double teams?
Focus is foremost something that happens in the mind so it’s not always externally perceivable. Moreover, a defender’s focus is likely to be split in any one moment between many factors, including the location of their attacker, other opposition players, their own teammates and the disc.
If focused is a reference to active focus with eyes, this could be argued to exclude defenders who are not looking directly at their attacker at the time of the pick/double team (for many valid defensive reasons, including to move safely or to observe the release of the disc to their attacker).
There are many moments where a defender is within 3 metres of an attacker, reacting to their movement or lack thereof (sensed through peripheral vision, noise and last known position) and ultimately trying to stop them get the disc, but without focussing their eyes directly on them at all times.
I therefore contend the addition of the term ‘focused on’ to the guarding definition is not appropriate or at least, insufficiently defined. It will likely lead to debates in pick or double team calls.