UIL approves shot clock

[AggiesAreWe]

The UIL approved a mandated 35-second shot clock for basketball starting in 2028-29 school year for 6A and 5A, with other classes to adopt it in following years. 6A and 5A schools would have the option to use it in the 2027-28 school year.

 

Not too happy about this but unfortunately it will happen.

Think this is the wrong decision for 3A and below.

[AggiesAreWe]

These seasons are subject to change and the UIL can meet on the subject again

6A/5A - no earlier than August 1, 2028

4A/3A - no earlier than 2030

2A/1A - no earlier than 2032

[bullets13]

I agree that it'll affect the lower classifications a lot. That said, I actually will like it in the higher classifications.

[navydawg31]

Terrible. I dislike this a lot… 

[Tyerman]

I am looking forward to this but hate how long I have to wait for small school level. I understand the cost argument for workers and finding people who do it but I grew up in a state that had it my entire life with no issues. Even at small schools there are solutions and ways that it can be handled. It adds a different dynamic to coaching for sure. 

[AggiesAreWe]

51 minutes ago, Tyerman said:

I am looking forward to this but hate how long I have to wait for small school level. I understand the cost argument for workers and finding people who do it but I grew up in a state that had it my entire life with no issues. Even at small schools there are solutions and ways that it can be handled. It adds a different dynamic to coaching for sure. 

I personally don't think it adds. It takes away more than it adds.

It will be more cookie cutter basketball. Everyone basically forced to play the same styles.

I don't think that's a good thing. I want a coach to be able to coach however he/she thinks is best for his/her team's success. If that means being more deliberate style (not holding the ball for a quarter, I'm not for that) then so be it.

Not every school has athletes and basketball skills to compete in an up tempo game.

Coaches and players will eventually adapt but to me there was no logical reason for it. And don't say it helps prepare for the next level. That's for only about 5% of the players in the entire state. The other 95% ends their basketball playing days in the high school gyms.

I just think UIL finally succumbed to the select few and fanbase. 

[Tyerman]

8 minutes ago, AggiesAreWe said:

I personally don't think it adds. It takes away more than it adds.

It will be more cookie cutter basketball. Everyone basically forced to play the same styles.

I don't think that's a good thing. I want a coach to be able to coach however he/she thinks is best for his/her team's success. If that means being more deliberate style (not holding the ball for a quarter, I'm not for that) then so be it.

Not every school has athletes and basketball skills to compete in an up tempo game.

Coaches and players will eventually adapt but to me there was no logical reason for it. And don't say it helps prepare for the next level. That's for only about 5% of the players in the entire state. The other 95% ends their basketball playing days in the high school gyms.

I just think UIL finally succumbed to the select few and fanbase. 

I will say I think honestly it won't speed the game up that much as 35 seconds is a very long time so I think it could lead to longer possessions. It will force coaches to have some late shot clock built in actions to run if their offense isn't producing a shot after 25 seconds. Also teams that rely on pressing like in the college game can adapt if in foul trouble to force teams into shorter half-court possessions with a slower press with less trapping as that is what I have heard the most in my conversations with college coaches about the change. There are lots of mini games that can be played with it that will take a few people a while. I don't mind people holding the ball either, I do like this for late game the most as teams will have to be able to play a little better late game than just use an elite guard to dribble around to run clock out in late game too. But I 100% see your point about it taking some styles away. 

[navydawg31]

A shot clock creates pressure to attempt a shot before time expires. For teams with inexperienced guards or limited ball-handling ability, that can mean more rushed passes, careless turnovers, and low-percentage shots.

A faster pace can lead to more possessions, more transition opportunities, and greater physical demands. Teams with short benches may struggle to keep players fresh, particularly during tournaments with multiple games in a day.

The shot clock adds another timing responsibility. Officials must determine when it resets, when it continues, and whether a shot hits the rim or results in a violation. Mistakes can directly affect close games.

Schools may need to purchase shot clocks, install them, maintain them, and train officials and operators. Smaller districts could feel that financial burden more than wealthy districts.… plus the shortage of officials state wide let’s not forget. 

[AggiesAreWe]

9 minutes ago, navydawg31 said:

A shot clock creates pressure to attempt a shot before time expires. For teams with inexperienced guards or limited ball-handling ability, that can mean more rushed passes, careless turnovers, and low-percentage shots.

A faster pace can lead to more possessions, more transition opportunities, and greater physical demands. Teams with short benches may struggle to keep players fresh, particularly during tournaments with multiple games in a day.

The shot clock adds another timing responsibility. Officials must determine when it resets, when it continues, and whether a shot hits the rim or results in a violation. Mistakes can directly affect close games.

Schools may need to purchase shot clocks, install them, maintain them, and train officials and operators. Smaller districts could feel that financial burden more than wealthy districts.… plus the shortage of officials state wide let’s not forget. 

THIS!!!!

[Box1]

20 hours ago, navydawg31 said:

A shot clock creates pressure to attempt a shot before time expires. For teams with inexperienced guards or limited ball-handling ability, that can mean more rushed passes, careless turnovers, and low-percentage shots.

A faster pace can lead to more possessions, more transition opportunities, and greater physical demands. Teams with short benches may struggle to keep players fresh, particularly during tournaments with multiple games in a day.

The shot clock adds another timing responsibility. Officials must determine when it resets, when it continues, and whether a shot hits the rim or results in a violation. Mistakes can directly affect close games.

Schools may need to purchase shot clocks, install them, maintain them, and train officials and operators. Smaller districts could feel that financial burden more than wealthy districts.… plus the shortage of officials state wide let’s not forget. 

I feel like if this is the issue for a team then a shot clock isn't going to make a difference. Not to be brash, but this sounds like what my old coach used to tell me, that's a YOU problem.

You would still need to advance the ball past halfcourt in 10 secs, and if I'm the opposing team and realize your inabilities then I'm pressing you with simple M2M. Then the shot clock is the least of your worries cause even if you get it across I'm staying on you.

Teams with short benches are going to struggle regardless, not as a reult of a shot clock. Let's be honest we're probably talking an extra 6-8 possessions a game. 35 seconds is a LONG time. 

The part I will agree with is the issues it may cause within smaller schools that you mentioned and officials, but make no mistake, if your team is bad it's not the shot clocks fault.

[No-look1]

After watching the state tourney games over the years the 6A and5A teams each  have multiple possessions in 35 seconds. lol 

[UNT-AggieMan]

Love the shot clcok multiple other states use it in HS. It makes games more intresting and will be no more just holding the ball and dribbling around. makes everyone coach and play real basketball 

[Coach.Shu]

I think it will allow teams to sit back in zones more instead of coming out and guarding.   No more old school PA Lincoln "come out here and guard someone" 

 

[CoachWynnTHS]

On 10/19/2026 at 4:34 PM, navydawg31 said:

A shot clock creates pressure to attempt a shot before time expires. For teams with inexperienced guards or limited ball-handling ability, that can mean more rushed passes, careless turnovers, and low-percentage shots.

A faster pace can lead to more possessions, more transition opportunities, and greater physical demands. Teams with short benches may struggle to keep players fresh, particularly during tournaments with multiple games in a day.

The shot clock adds another timing responsibility. Officials must determine when it resets, when it continues, and whether a shot hits the rim or results in a violation. Mistakes can directly affect close games.

Schools may need to purchase shot clocks, install them, maintain them, and train officials and operators. Smaller districts could feel that financial burden more than wealthy districts.… plus the shortage of officials state wide let’s not forget. 

If you have limited ball handling ability, you have no chance in today's basketball climate with or without a shot clock. 

[navydawg31]

3 hours ago, CoachWynnTHS said:

If you have limited ball handling ability, you have no chance in today's basketball climate with or without a shot clock. 

I agree that ball handling, breaking pressure, and being able to execute are fundamental parts of the game. No argument there. But I think you’re overlooking the bigger picture. The argument isn’t that a shot clock makes a bad team bad; it’s whether the rule benefits high school basketball as a whole.

A 35-second clock might seem like plenty of time, but the impact isn’t just about getting the ball across half court. It’s about how teams manage possessions, how coaches can control tempo, and how smaller programs with fewer resources adapt to the change. And while 6–8 extra possessions might not sound like much, those possessions can absolutely change the outcome of a close game.

I also agree that officials and implementation are legitimate concerns. Just because a team can adjust doesn’t automatically mean the change is necessary or beneficial for every classification. Improving the game should be the goal, but we shouldn’t dismiss legitimate concerns by saying, “If your team is bad, it’s not the shot clock’s fault.”

[Box1]

On 10/22/2026 at 11:25 AM, navydawg31 said:

I agree that ball handling, breaking pressure, and being able to execute are fundamental parts of the game. No argument there. But I think you’re overlooking the bigger picture. The argument isn’t that a shot clock makes a bad team bad; it’s whether the rule benefits high school basketball as a whole.

A 35-second clock might seem like plenty of time, but the impact isn’t just about getting the ball across half court. It’s about how teams manage possessions, how coaches can control tempo, and how smaller programs with fewer resources adapt to the change. And while 6–8 extra possessions might not sound like much, those possessions can absolutely change the outcome of a close game.

I also agree that officials and implementation are legitimate concerns. Just because a team can adjust doesn’t automatically mean the change is necessary or beneficial for every classification. Improving the game should be the goal, but we shouldn’t dismiss legitimate concerns by saying, “If your team is bad, it’s not the shot clock’s fault.”

I think we're just looking at what actually benefits the game from two different perspectives.

You mentioned that an extra 6–8 possessions could change the outcome of a close game. Absolutely they could, but isn't that part of the point? Those are additional opportunities for BOTH teams to execute offensively and defensively. Why should a team that's trailing be denied opportunities to compete simply because the team that's ahead can hold the ball?

And I disagree with the idea that controlling tempo somehow disappears with a shot clock. You can absolutely still control tempo with 35 seconds. You can run your sets, work for high-percentage shots, and play deliberate basketball. What you can't do is hold the ball for two minutes without ever attempting to score. There's a difference between controlling tempo and avoiding playing offense altogether.

I also think we're overlooking one of the biggest benefits of a shot clock: rewarding good defense. A shot clock gives the defense an opportunity to earn possession without having to gamble for steals or commit fouls.

As far as smaller programs and inexperienced players go, I understand the concern, but at what point do we stop treating fundamental basketball skills as disadvantages that the rules need to accommodate? Every team has strengths and weaknesses. Some teams struggle against pressure, some struggle with size, and others struggle with depth. We don't change the rules to eliminate those disadvantages. We coach our players to overcome them.

The one point we agree with, again, is the financial burden and officiating concerns, especially for smaller schools. Those are legitimate issues that deserve solutions, but I don't think logistical challenges and competitive disadvantages are the same argument.

Ultimately, I think a shot clock makes basketball more balanced between offense and defense. It doesn't force teams to play fast. It simply requires them to actually attempt to score within a reasonable amount of time.