BREAKING NEWS: SHOT CLOCK COMING TO HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL, FLAG FOOTBALL COMING & HOME FIELD IN R1 IN ALL SPORTS
UIL passed several amendments Monday including the long awaited shot clock in basketball, flag football & home field advantage in R1 in all playoff sports. Summary below.
The adoption of a 35-second shot clock for girls and boys basketball no earlier than 2028-29 for varsity games. It will be adopted with the proposed implementation plan:
-5A & 6A (No earlier than 2028-29)
-3A & 4A (No earlier than 2030-31)
-1A & 2A (No earlier than 2032-33)
*Each stage will be monitored by UIL for the ability to adopt according to the above schedule and may be modified.
2. The development of girls flag football in concept as a pilot program with the establishment of no more than two classifications to begin no earlier than the 2028-29 school year. UIL will gather additional information for rules and guidelines of the pilot program to be considered at subsequent Legislative Council meetings.
In athletics, the Council approved a proposal for home field advantage for the first round of playoffs in all conferences for all team sports beginning with the 2027-28 school year.
The distance of the Conference 4A girls cross country race will increase to 5,000 meters beginning in 2028-29, and junior high cross country meet start times will now be allowed to take place in the morning as a result of actions taken by the Council.
The Legislative Council also passed a proposal to allow Conferences 1A and 2A to participate in Conference 4A team tennis beginning next school year. Currently, Conference 3A schools are allowed to participate in 4A team tennis.
Currently, only 5A and 6A football teams have home field advantage in the first round of
playoffs. This amendment would extend home field advantage in the first round of playoffs to 4A
and below in football, as well as all classifications for volleyball, basketball, team tennis and
soccer.
Proposed Timeline for Shot Clock Implementation
This proposal for the implementation of the use of a shot clock is specifically for the high
school level. The UIL sta+ does not recommend the use of a shot clock at the junior high or middle
school level in order to keep the focus on developmental play and time management rather than
timed possessions.
Current year, 2026
Pilot – Optional use of shot clock during varsity showcases and invitational tournaments with
coach agreement for all conferences
2027-2028
Pilot – Optional use of shot clock during varsity non-district contests, showcases, and invitational
tournaments with coach agreement for all conferences
2028-2029
5A & 6A – Shot clock is required
• Shot clock is required for all varsity contests, including preseason, district, invitational
tournaments, showcases, post season, and state championships
• Shot clock may be used for sub-varsity contests with coach agreement for non-district
contests and invitational tournaments, or with DEC approval for district contests
• No implementation at the junior high/middle school
1A-4A - Continue Pilot
Optional use of shot clock during varsity non-district contests, showcases, and invitational
tournaments with coach agreement
2030-2031
3A-6A – Shot Clock is Required
• Shot clock is required for all varsity contests, including preseason, district, invitational
tournaments, showcases, post season, and state championships
• Shot clock may be used for sub-varsity contests with coach agreement for non-district
contests and invitational tournaments, or with DEC approval for district contests
• No implementation at the junior high/middle school
1A-2A - Continue Pilot
Optional use of shot clock during varsity non-district contests, showcases, and invitational
tournaments with coach agreement
2032-2033
1A-6A – Shot Clock is Required
• Shot clock is required for all varsity contests, including preseason, district, invitational
tournaments, showcases, post season, and state championships
• Shot clock may be used for sub-varsity contests with coach agreement for non-district
contests and invitational tournaments, or with DEC approval for district contests
• No implementation at the junior high/middle school
There was also something regarding Friday night football games being allowed on TV in 2027 but because all the local companies do a bad job, you wouldn't want to watch them anyways. Plus none cover girls/olympic sports and are bandwagon. That's why the sport machine is still the best way to see content!
@210Preps @Gosset41 @var_austin