Shot Clock- My Thoughts

The NFHS several years ago allowed each state to put in the shot clock for HS basketball. The IHSA, which governs Illinois, has resisted implementing the 35 second shot clock. Just this week the IHSA announced they are moving forward with the shot clock for the 2026-7 season. 

I would assume the delay is to allow schools to buy and install shot clocks. Some small schools have resisted the move because of cost. Some large schools who play their varsity girls games in an older, inferior, second gym are not excited about having to install two sets of clocks. The shot clock will not have to be used on non-varsity levels. Whether true or not, a rumor is that because there are limited companies who make the shot clock, installation will actually take awhile.

RESISTENCE TO SHOT CLOCK

1- Cost indeed is a factor for both installation of the clocks and paying someone to operate the shot clock. 

2- Shot clock operators will need to be trained. 

3- I have not met a referee who is in favor of the shot clock. Most officials view this as “one more thing I have to watch.”

4- Some fear there will be constant delays as inexperienced shot clock operators screw up, and referees take five minutes of discussion to change the shot clock from 28 seconds back up to 31 seconds. 

5- There are old school people who feel the shot clock takes away an important strategy for the Davids to beat the Goliath’s. 

MY THOUGHTS ON THE SHOT CLOCK

I have been horribly wrong before when it comes to new basketball rules. When they put in the three point arc in the 1980’s, in an interview I stated,”It won’t impact girls basketball except end of the quarter desperation shots.” So while I am in favor of the shot clock, I realize I may change my mind in years to come. 

While school’s are not looking for new ways to spend money, everything electronics with bb has evolved. Most of the HS and college gyms I played in just had one scoreboard so as visitors you always chose to make sure you were headed on offense toward the scoreboard in the second half. Most schools today not only have found the money for two scoreboards but also boards to keep fouls and points. Schools will be able to afford shot clocks.

Operating a shot clock is not rocket science. The biggest issue will be when to set and reset the clock on changes of possession and missed shots. I am confident schools will find an adult or even a student who will quickly master the shot clock. In terms of delays, referees need to learn to blow the whistle, make a decision, and move on. Each situation will not a conference of three officials. 

For those who are upset that it will take away a valuable or important strategy. It will indeed take away a strategy, but I would disagree that it is a strategy that is good for basketball. Yes, I realize local historians will point to the stall game where the Streaks beat Don Nelson and Rock Island. My HS coach practiced the stall vs powerhouses Fulton and Clinton St. Mary’s. But this has not been a much used strategy by the underdogs since the 1960’s and 1970’s. 

The most common use of the strategy has been by the superior teams who get a lead and are talented enough to keep the ball from the weaker team. Their strategy is to in effect “quit playing basketball.” There have been teams in Central Illinois HS boys and girls basketball who have famous for being ahead for 2-3 points and to then start stalling with 4 minutes to go for the last shot at the end of each quarter. 

Before the 10 second rule was put in making a team have to get the ball across half court in 10 seconds, there were teams who would just get a rebound and stand. There are stories of one team sitting with the ball at one end and the other team sitting at the other end. That is a strategy, that is an interesting strategy, but that was not a strategy that was good for basketball. I would argue the strategy of long delays that turn a 32 minute game into 16 minute game are not good for basketball either. The shot clock forces people to play basketball. 

What is lost in the strategy of delay games, will be gained by the strategies of whether to go two for one at the end of a quarter, or teams have more end of shot clock out of bounds plays. It will add excitement. 

My guess is that it will not speed up the game and increase the number of points scored. Few times in a HS game do teams take more than 35 seconds in a possession. In the last two years, we played only 3 teams who had more than 15 possessions of more than 35 seconds. Some would argue that the shot clock is taking away their style of play. I would respond, “Yes, thank God!” In girls basketball, I hope that we year after year keep building interest in the sport. I am sorry but games of 32-27 just bring excitement.

Every college coach who I have heard speak at a clinic talks about how important they feel the shot clock is to the development of American players. Their claim is that it better prepares players for college basketball, and it puts the player in more situations where they have to “create” at the end of the shot clock. 

Maybe the shot clock will bring on more zone defenses which will try to slow teams down. If that is the case, maybe I will change my opinion. I look forward to end of quarter strategy about whether to go 2 for 1 in possessions. I look forward to more end of shot clock situations where a team has to have a baseline ob or sideline ob plan for when there only 10 seconds, 7 seconds, and 3 seconds on the clock. And I look forward to the player having the ball, realizing the shot clock is at 4 seconds, and make a creative move. 

I would love to have you share your thoughts on the shot clock in the comments!! Just add your name.