BASIC SHOT CLOCK RULES
The shot clock shall have a horn that is distinctly different from the game clock.
Coaches must teach their players to “play through” the shot clock horn. It’s very possible
to have a shot clock horn and not have a shot clock violation. The shot clock horn
doesn’t kill the play. The referee’s whistle kills the play.
On a jump ball the game clock starts when the ball is legally touched but the shot clock
doesn’t start until a player on one of the teams has PLAYER CONTROL of the
basketball.
On a missed free throw, the game clock starts when the ball is legally touched by a player
on the floor, but the shot clock does not start until a player on one of the teams has
PLAYER CONTROL of the basketball.
On an inbounds pass, both the game clock and the shot clock start when the ball is legally
touched by a player (either A or B) on the floor. PLAYER CONTROL IS NOT
NEEDED on an inbounds pass to start the shot clock. Just the act of touching by either
team starts both the game and shot clocks.
You could have a situation on an inbounds pass where there are only 2 seconds remaining
on the shot clock and the throw-in pass is legally touched (deflected) by either player A
or B and the shot clock would run out without Team A ever gaining TEAM CONTROL
of the basketball.
On a missed field goal where there has not been a shot clock violation, the new shot clock
period does not start until a player on either team has PLAYER CONTROL of the
basketball. In other words, just the touching of the ball after a missed field goal doesn’t
start the shot clock. The shot clock operator must hold the button until a player on either team has PLAYER CONTROL of the basketball.
If the shot clock expires and the horn sounds while a try for goal is in the air and then the
ball hits the rim or flange, ignore the horn and play continues as if the horn did not sound.
A new shot clock period begins when a player on either team obtains PLAYER
CONTROL of the basketball.
If the try by Team A is successful, a new shot clock period starts when the ball is legally
touched on the floor by a player of either team on the subsequent throw-in by Team B.
If the try is unsuccessful and the ball doesn’t hit the rim or flange you have a shot clock
violation, a whistle is wounded by the referee and Team B is awarded a throw-in on the
end line.
If a try for goal is blocked by a player of Team B and goes out of bounds and time
remains on the shot clock, Team A in-bounds the ball with the remaining time on the shot
clock. The shot clock is not reset in this situation. If a try for goal is blocked by a player on Team B, goes out of bounds and the shot clock
horn sounds before the ball is whistled dead, the ball is awarded to Team B because of a
shot clock violation. This might seem strange to the fans because it is a situation where
Team B gets the ball even though a player on Team B was the last to touch the ball
before it went out of bounds. It is important for the referee to give the proper shot clock
violation signal (tapping the top of the head) so that everyone is aware of the shot clock
violation.
If a player on Team B blocks a shot and the ball remains in play, the shot clock continues
to run and isn’t reset unless a player on Team B gets PLAYER CONTROL of the
basketball.
When a held ball is called and the arrow favors the team on offense, Team A is awarded a
throw-in and the shot clock is not reset. If the arrow favors the defense Team B is
awarded the ball out of bounds with a new shot clock.
On a loose ball that results in a jump ball, it is imperative to know which team first
gained PLAYER CONTROL of the ball after the scramble for the loose ball.
PLAY: A1 is dribbling the ball in his/her front court. B1 slaps the ball away
which results in a loose ball. A2 is first to gain PLAYER CONTROL of the ball, but is
quickly tied up by B2 resulting in a held ball. If Team A has the arrow, Team A is
awarded the ball out of bounds nearest the spot of the held ball and the shot clock is not
reset. If Team B has the arrow, Team B is awarded the ball out of bounds and gets a new
shot clock.
PLAY: A1 is dribbling the ball in his/her front court. B1 slaps the ball away
which results in a loose ball. B2 is first to gain PLAYER CONTROL of the ball, but is
quickly tied up by A2 resulting in a held ball. RULING: If Team A has the arrow,
Team A is awarded the ball out of bound nearest the spot of the held ball and there is a
reset of the shot clock. The reason Team A gets a new shot clock is because a player of
Team B gained PLAYER CONTROL of the ball which results in a new shot clock. If
Team B has the arrow, Team B is awarded the ball out of bounds nearest the spot and
doesn’t get a reset if the shot clock had already started after B2 gained PLAYER
CONTROL of the ball.ONTROL of the ball.
PLAY: Same play as the above two plays, but in this situation there is
simultaneous possession by A2 and B2 after the loose ball. RULING: If the arrow
favors Team A, a throw-in is awarded to Team A and the shot clock is not reset since
TEAM CONTROL for Team A had not ended prior to the held ball.
On a foul by the defense and the team with the ball is not in the bonus, Team A is
awarded the ball out of bounds nearest the spot of the foul and the shot clock is reset.
On a foul by the defense and the team with the ball is in the bonus or it is multiple shot
foul, the shot clock is reset and will be started on the subsequent throw-in or rebound.
On an intentional foul, Team A is awarded two free throws with the lanes cleared and
then is awarded a throw-in at the spot nearest the foul with a new shot clock.
On a technical foul, Team A is awarded two free throws with the lanes cleared, awarded
a throw-in at half court and given a new shot clock. If a try for goal lodges between the rim and the backboard, the team with the arrow gets
the ball on the alternating possession and is given a new shot clock. It doesn’t make any
difference if the offense or defense has the arrow as the shot clock would be reset when
the ball hit the rim.
If the defense intentionally kicks the ball and 14 seconds or less remain on the shot clock,
the shot clock is reset to 15 seconds. If 15 seconds or more remain on the shot clock,
there is no reset and play resumes with the remaining time on the clock.
If a defensive player intentionally kicks the ball on an in-bounds pass the shot clock
should not be started since the ball was no legally touched on the court. On the next
throw-in either the remaining time, if in excess of 15 seconds, or 15 seconds should be set
on shot clock because of the violation. If time was run off either the game clock or shot
clock on this play, the referee shall put that time back on either or both clocks.
On a charged time-out or injured player, there is no reset of the shot clock.
There is no reset of the shot clock if a ball strikes the rim or flange as the result of a pass.
It must be a shot to have the shot clock reset. A deflected pass that hits the rim would not
result in a reset.
A tap by an offensive player is considered a try for goal. There would be a reset if A!
shoots an airball that is tapped by A2 before the shot clock horns sounds and then the ball
hits the rim. If the tap by A2 happens after the shot clock horn sounds, it is a shot clock
violation.
If A1 is fouled on a shot and there is a shot clock violation because the ball did not hit the
rim, penalize the foul and disregard the shot clock violation.
On double personal fouls, double flagrant personal fouls, double intentional fouls, double
technical fouls or simultaneous personal fouls the ball is given to Team A for a throw-in
out of bounds at the point of interruption with no reset of the shot clock. The reason is
that NFHS puts the ball back in play at the point of interruption for double anything.
Therefore, the ball remains with the offense regardless of the arrow and the shot clock. If a try for goal lodges between the rim and the backboard, the team with the arrow gets
the ball on the alternating possession and is given a new shot clock. It doesn’t make any
difference if the offense or defense has the arrow as the shot clock would be reset when
the ball hit the rim.
If the defense intentionally kicks the ball and 14 seconds or less remain on the shot clock,
the shot clock is reset to 15 seconds. If 15 seconds or more remain on the shot clock,
there is no reset and play resumes with the remaining time on the clock.
If a defensive player intentionally kicks the ball on an in-bounds pass the shot clock
should not be started since the ball was no legally touched on the court. On the next
throw-in either the remaining time, if in excess of 15 seconds, or 15 seconds should be set
on shot clock because of the violation. If time was run off either the game clock or shot
clock on this play, the referee shall put that time back on either or both clocks.
On a charged time-out or injured player, there is no reset of the shot clock.
There is no reset of the shot clock if a ball strikes the rim or flange as the result of a pass.
It must be a shot to have the shot clock reset. A deflected pass that hits the rim would not
result in a reset.
A tap by an offensive player is considered a try for goal. There would be a reset if A!
shoots an airball that is tapped by A2 before the shot clock horns sounds and then the ball
hits the rim. If the tap by A2 happens after the shot clock horn sounds, it is a shot clock
violation.
If A1 is fouled on a shot and there is a shot clock violation because the ball did not hit the
rim, penalize the foul and disregard the shot clock violation.
On double personal fouls, double flagrant personal fouls, double intentional fouls, double
technical fouls or simultaneous personal fouls the ball is given to Team A for a throw-in
out of bounds at the point of interruption with no reset of the shot clock. The reason is that NFHS puts the ball back in play at the point of interruption for double anything.
Therefore, the ball remains with the offense regardless of the arrow and the shot clock
remains the same as it was at the point of interruption.
If there is a new shot clock with 35 seconds or less left on the game clock, the shot clock
shall be turned off. It makes no difference if it is after a missed shot, change of
possession or in-bounds pass. Any time there is a new shot clock with 35 seconds or less
left on the game clock, the shot clock is turned off.
If there is question as to whether a score was made within the shot clock period or
whether a try for goal strikes the basket ring or flange, the final decision shall be made by
the referees.
STRANGE PLAY: A1 is dribbling the ball in his/her front court with 3 seconds
remaining on the shot clock. B1 slaps the ball away and the ball goes into A’s backcourt.
B1 is going for the ball and has open way to an uncontested lay-up. However, the shot
clock horn sounds before B1 has PLAYER CONTROL of the basketball.
RULING: Shot clock violation on Team A. Team B gets the ball for a throw-in nearest
the spot of where the ball was at the time of the violation. The fans of Team B will love
this ruling.

The first year will be a learning for both officials and shot clock operators. Take your
time and replay situations through your mind before making a final decision. Don’t
panic. Just replay the play and it will all make sense.