LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL FOR CHANGE IN NSAA RULES AND REGULATIONS
Title:

Utilization of 35-Second Shot Clock for Varsity

Author:Nathan Ter Beest
School:Douglas County West
NSAA District:2
 
Proposal for:Activities Manual
 
Classes Affected:Class C
Activities Affected:Boys Basketball
Girls Basketball
This proposal:WILL increase costs to the school
WILL increase costs to the NSAA
WILL NOT increase travel for participating schools
WILL NOT decrease a student's or coach's instruction time
Implementation date:2024-12-05
Sections affected in Activities Manual:Page
3
Article

Section
Approved Rulings for Basketball
Summary:We hereby propose the implementation of the 35-Second Shot Clock Rule for State Association implementation as allowed for by NFHS 2022-2023 Basketball Rule 2-14 for NSAA Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball Contests in Class C1 & C2, beginning with the 2024-25 school year/season. Shot Clock Use: Shot Clocks will be used when Class C plays B or A. Shot Clocks will be at the discretion of the lower class team if Class C hosts a Class D1 or D2. Shot Clocks will not be used if a a Class D1 or D2 hosts a Class C school unless both schools agree prior to the game.
Rationale:Every state that has adopted this mandate has continued using the shot clock, and only seen expansion of the use within classifications/divisions. Class A has embraced the use of the shot clock, and Class B passed legislation after one year to add it as well. This tells us the shot clock is welcomed and working in High School Basketball. The use of the shot clock is less important/a factor in increasing scoring but much more important in game management and balancing the disparity between offense and the defense in competitive contests. End-of-Game situations are greatly improved. Teams who choose to play a zone defense are not forced to alter their strategy simply to get the ball back. Games do not devolve into an action-less contest. The simplified set of ruses is easily learned by officials, scorers, timers, players and others and readily implemented. Removal of several bits of language from other levels about multiple resets and challenges are not par of this proposal. C Class C (C1 &C2 only proposal mitigates some of the challenges of other classification to adding the shot clock due to concerns/cons may arise.
Pros:Every state that has adopted before this mandate has continued using the clock, and only seen expansion of the use within classifications/divisions. This tells us the shot clock is welcomed and working in High School Basketball. The use of the shot clock is less important/a factor in increased scoring but much more important in game management and balancing the disparity between offense and defense in competitive contests. End-of-Game situations are greatly improved. Teams who choose to play a zone defense are not forced to alter their strategy simply to get the ball back. Games do not devolve into an action-less contest. The simplified set of rules is easily learned by officials, scorers, timers, players and others and readily implemented. Removal of several bits of language from other levels about multiple resets and challenges are not part of this proposal. A Class C1 only proposal mitigates some of the challenges of other classifications to adding the shot clock due to concerns/cons that may arise
Cons:Cost for implementation will be present at all school districts. Costs m ay also be a factor depending on local policy on game-day workers and organization of a scorer's table. Arguments against the change in strategy of the game will be present. However, the author(s) of this proposal again feel that the best interests of the game are found with the use of a shot clock as evidenced by others who have adopted the change.