LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL FOR CHANGE IN NSAA RULES AND REGULATIONS
Title:

Utilization of 35-Second Shot Clock for Varsity Contests CLASS C1 and C2

Author:Austin Lewis
School:Sidney
NSAA District:6
 
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

Summary:We hereby propose the implementation of the 35-Second Shot Clock Rule for State Association implementation as allowed for by the NFHS 2022-23 Basketball Rule 2-14 for NSAA Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball Contests in Class C1 and C2 Basketball Only, beginning with the 2024-25 school year/season.

Shot Clock Use:

1. Shot Clocks will be used when Class C plays Class B or A.

2. Shot Clocks will be used at the discretion of the lower class team if Class C hosts a team from Class D1 or D2.

3. Shot Clocks will not be used if a Class D1 or D2 school hosts a Class C school.
Rationale:Every State that has adopted before 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 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 C (C1 & C2) only proposal mitigates some of the challenges of other classifications to adding the shot clock due to concerns/cons that may arise.
Pros:Every State that has adopted before 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 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 C (C1 & C2) 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 may 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 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 the shot clock as evidenced by others who have adopted the change.