Basketball Rules Changes- Today’s Changes & History of Changes

The National Federation of High School’s announced new rules and changes for the 2024-5 season. Among the most significant:

1- In their continuing role as uniform “police,” school logos will be allowed on the front of a jersey instead of having to spell out the names.

2- Failure of a player to pass the ball in a timely fashion (or setting the ball on the floor) will now be a delay of game warning. The second warning will be a team technical. Before the only option was for an official to give a technical in these situations which was considered a severe penalty. The hope is that now officials will give more warnings and thus correct the behavior.

3- Flopping or faking a charge will also be a player warning. The second violation will be a team technical. If you have not noticed, basketball rules over the last few years on all levels are trying to encourage greater offensive ability to drive to the basket- thus the dribble drive offenses. One of the adjustments is making it harder and harder to draw charges. In college basketball, it is almost impossible for a weakside defender to slide over to draw a charge.

4- In states that already have the 35 second shot clock, they will eliminate the closer guarded 5 second call when a player is dribbling. 

Obviously, the HS rules makers constantly respond to coach’s feedback, administrator’s feedback, and try to follow changes on the college and pro levels. In recent years one of the most significant changes was the move of HS basketball to follow the lead of FIBA and NCAA Women in the use of quarters and resetting fouls after each quarter but shooting two shots after the fifth foul of a quarter. My prediction would be that the next move by HS rules will be to continue the lead of NCAA Women and allow on time out to advance the ball to half-court. 

Many states have already adopted the 35 second shot clock. Illinois has announced it will adopt the shot clock for the 2026-7 season. Presumably this slow process is to allow schools to get shot clocks in place. 

For those who think,”They are ruining the game, why can’t they leave it alone.” We need to realize that basketball has constantly evolved. The lane was widened to help defend Wilt Chamberlain, and the dunk was eliminated for less than ten years to defend Lew Alcindor. Some rules changes have been good and some have been bad. But change has been constant. 

My father coached in the 1930’s and 1940’s, he would not recognize the game today, and I would not recognize the game back then. Here is an outline of rules changes in the NCAA. 

I would love to have you share your thoughts on any past rules changes or future rules changes you would like to see. Just add them in the comments with your name.