You’ve heard the stories. . . games that end 21-17. Teams that hold the ball for 5 minutes of game time.

Those headlines have become cannon fodder for those who support a shot clock in high school basketball.

As of this writing, 27 states use a shot clock in high school basketball. Ohio, where I coach, is not one of them.

I do not have a strong opinion on the topic. The teams I coached always played fast. I bet last season we had no more than 2-3 possessions that lasted over :35.

I think that generally holds true for other teams, too. I went to a game Saturday. It was not high scoring - the final was 58-54. I unofficially counted 2 possessions that would have been close to a shot clock violation were there a :35 clock.

Even though I don’t have a strong opinion on this topic, many people do!

For those who support the shot clock, some of their arguments are:

• In almost every other country, players grow up playing with a shot clock

• Players skill level will increase as they have to play at the pace necessitated by a shot clock

• It prevents undesirable situations like the ones referenced in the first paragraph

Some of the arguments against a shot clock are:

• The cost of purchasing and running could be challenging for some schools

• High school basketball is unique in not having a shot clock. This allows players to play a variety of styles. If you don’t want your opponent to stall, play an aggressive defense that makes it hard to do so.

• It reduces the chances of upsets. In college and the pros, the talent level is more even. At the high school level, there are often significant talent mismatches. Shortening the game is a strategy that less talented teams have used successfully to be competitive.

What do you think? Do you think that high school basketball should have a shot clock? Please reply to this email with your thoughts!

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Comments Most Likes First   Oldest First   Newest First Monte says: 8/24/2025 at 12:56:44 AM Absolutely need to have a shot clock in high school basketball. I have been to too many games where one team stands and holds the ball as a strategy to keep the score as low as possible. That isn't fun to watch, and isn't fun for the players either. Like     login   register George Ross says: 8/23/2025 at 6:52:08 PM I would say that it''s more relevant on the 4th quarter, for younger Players. I also believe in being fear, therefore l won''t freeze the ball. However, today''s coaching is about winning games, for many coaches...! This is about the kids. Like     login   register Eric says: 8/23/2025 at 3:43:18 PM I'm not in the US and we use the shot clock (FIBA rules so 24 seconds generally but regain possession or in-bound in front court after a foul is 14 sec) once a player reaches a competitive high school competition. Personally I am ok with the shot clock being in place but the one negative for me is the quality of the shot being taken can deterioriate once the clock is low and I understand that is a sentiment a lot of "no shot clock" proponents have. I think for the younger groups in high school a 35 or 40 sec shot clock would be the better way to go but as a player gets to the Senior level then it should be full FIBA rules. Like     login   register Kyle Smith says: 8/23/2025 at 2:30:54 PM I do not believe the shot clock would have much effect on the first 3 quarters. Where I think it is needed is in the 4th when the team ahead takes the air out and it causes the def. to foul meaning the last couple of minutes becomes a FT contest. A shot clock would help keep unnecessary fouls especially early in the 4th. Like     login   register

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