The Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association’s Board of Control voted on Tuesday by an 8-4 margin to begin the process of implementing a shot clock in high school basketball.
The board agreed to a 35-second shot clock and schools will have until the 2029-2030 school year to have their facilities ready to use the clock. Tennessee is the 33rd state that has chosen to implement the shot clock since the National Federation for High School Sports approved the use in 2023.
Schools can begin using the shot clock in hall of champions games and holiday tournament beginning this year. The clock will not be used in regular season or postseason competition until the 2029-2030 season. In that time the TSSAA will iron out the rules for placement of the shot clock, who can operate it, and training officials.
The clock will reset on offensive rebounds and changes of possession. It was mentioned during the board meeting that shot clock would eliminate the need for the five-second, closely-guarded rule.
The Board of Control will continue its meeting on Wednesday with discussion on changes to the basketball postseason and approving boys volleyball as an emerging sport as the primary agenda items.
