Commissioner’s Corner: Shot Clock Update

By Mike Krueger, CHSAA Commissioner

As you may have heard, last year the CHSAA Basketball Committee recommended that the implementation of a shot clock be investigated for our member schools for both boys and girls basketball. The discussion has been prominent during many league and district meetings; a number of presentations have been provided to member schools and the CHSAA Board of Directors over the past number of months. Survey data was collected and evaluated a number of times, and to date, the survey data has consistently shown that roughly 60% of member schools support the idea of implementing a shot clock with 40% not in support (328 schools out of 351 with basketball programs reporting).

Breaking down the data, there were no statistical certainties. However, the data did show a trend that noted smaller schools less in support of implementation with bigger schools being more in support, generally speaking.

As the discussion has continued over the past few months, much of the dialogue has centered on two main issues: the first being the cost of installation and the second being the challenge of finding additional personnel. Although a majority of schools feel strongly that this move is overdue and will have significantly positive impacts on the game, these noted challenges will need to be addressed.

Another important consideration is the education that will be required for our officials and how that training will come about. The consensus opinion of member schools across the spectrum, especially of late, seems to be trending more toward supporting the use of the shot clock. However, there has been a specific emphasis on the need for an implementation timeline that would allow schools the opportunity to prepare for the changes. This is a message that has been widely shared by a large contingent of member schools both large and small.

The move toward the shot clock in high school basketball has been growing quickly across the country.  The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) approved a 35-second shot clock for high school basketball in May 2021, however, it wasn’t a mandate as individual states were given the choice to adopt the rule. Nine state associations added the shot clock in 2022-23, and five more (Connecticut, Idaho, Minnesota, North Carolina and Oregon) will be adding it for the 2023-24 season. In all, 27 state associations utilize a shot clock in some capacity.

The CHSAA Board of Directors will be submitting a proposal regarding the shot clock to the Legislative Council for consideration. The proposal will be voted upon by the member schools at the January 30, 2024 Legislative Council meeting. We encourage school district leaders and leagues to continue this discussion as that January meeting date approaches. During this time, the CHSAA staff will be working to provide additional data and insights as requested by our member schools, including information on equipment and installation costs.