BLOOMINGTON - The Board of Directors of the Illinois High School Association officially finalized plans and procedures for the 35-second shot clock, which will be introduced for boys and girls varsity basketball games starting with the 2026-27 season.
The Southwestern Conference implemented the shot clock for its games this past year, ahead of the statewide implementation, and it proved to be well-received by players, coaches, and fans alike.
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"It is important that we provide clear-cut guidelines to our schools for the shot clock as we move towards the 2026-27 season," said Craig Anderson, the IHSA's executive director. "We believe our Board was forward-thinking in providing significant planning time for schools to prepare for the shot clock.
"It is imperative that all schools are afforded the same competitive experience and that every student-athlete competes under consistent conditions. By establishing these expectations, schools have had ample opportunity to budget, plan, and install the necessary equipment, ensuring an equitable environment."
According to the guidelines, it's the host school's responsibility to have shot clocks installed either at the top of the backboards of the baskets or the wall behind the baskets, unobstructed and visible to all players, coaches, officials, and fans.
If a home gym doesn't have shot clocks available, the home team must find a site that does have the shot clock available, and if the home school can't find a site, and the visiting team is unable to host for any reason, the home team shall forfeit the game 2-0.
In addition to the shot clock introduced in the Southwestern Conference this past season, it's also been in use as a part of the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic tournament for the past few seasons. It was introduced as an experimental rule, and has also proven to be a popular rule change.
Currently, 29 states use a shot clock, with Illinois and Oklahoma introducing the clock this coming season. New Jersey will become the 32nd state to have a shot clock in 2027-28, and Pennsylvania joins the list in the 2028-29 season.
In addition to the shot clock, a game clock will also be required above the shot clock to keep players, coaches, officials and fans informed on the time remaining in each quarter.
