LOCKER ROOM NOW A Closer Look at NFHS Allowing Basketball Shot Clocks Starting in 2022–23 Dr. Karissa Niehoff of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) recently discussed the state association adoption option for the use of 35-second shot clocks in basketball beginning with the 2022–23 season. The NFHS Board of Directors did not approve a proposal for a national rule mandating the shot clock. Rule 2-14 states that each state association may adopt a shot clock beginning in the 2022–23 season — according to guidelines outlined in the Basketball Rules Book — to encourage standardization among states. Guidelines include displaying two timepieces that are connected to a horn that is distinctive from the game-clock horn, and using an alternative timing device, such as a stopwatch at the scorer’s table, in the event of a shot clock malfunction. The guidelines also allow for corrections to the
Niehoff believes a few states will adopt a shot clock in the 2022–23 season and is optimistic more states will consider the adoption in the future. The use of a shot clock can be implemented in either the boys or girls programs or both.
Reminder on NFHS Basketball, Football Jersey Number Color Changes in 2024 As team dealers prepare basketball and football jersey orders for high schools, the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) wants to provide a reminder of a key National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules change going into effect in the 2024–25 school year. Numbers on jerseys in both sports will need to be a single solid color that clearly contrasts with the body color of the jersey. Bob Colgate, the NFHS director of sports and sports medicine and staff liaison to the Football Rules Committee, confirmed in football the entire body of the number shall be a single, solid color that clearly contrasts with the body color of the jersey. The body of the number can still have a border or shading around it in a different color. The rule was approved in 2019 to give schools time to budget
shot clock only during the shot-clock period in which an error
for new uniforms by the 2024 season.
occurred and if the officials have definite information relative
The same time frame and reasoning was implemented for basketball
to the mistake or malfunction.
jerseys for the 2024–25 season. The reason for the change was the
The shot clock state adoption proposal was made to the NFHS
difficulty to see some numbers that were the same color as the jersey,
board after it was passed by the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee by an 11-1 vote. The rules committee gathered data from a
with a contrasting border, for on-field officials, game administrators, fans, media and coaches who are scouting opponents.
survey of 45 questions to eight states and Washington, D.C., using the shot clock on an experimental basis. These states (California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington) and Washington D.C., answered questions about the impact and experience the shot clock had on boys and girls basketball programs. The feedback was positive enough to warrant the basketball rules committee pass the state adoption rule. According to the NFHS survey, the divisive issue raised some concerns about a national mandate for the use of shot clocks. One is the negative impact the shot clock could have on the development level for boys and girls. The shot clock could cause too much pressure for kids to make decisions and lose focus on developing important skills. The other concern is the financial impact shot clocks could cause for schools, according to the NFHS survey. High schools would have to pay for the extra equipment needed for the shot clock and to train individuals to run the shot clock. These issues kept the use of shot clocks as a state decision, but it does not mean it cannot become a national level rule in the future. NSGA NOW ®
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