High school basketball in Tennessee is set for a major change.
The TSSAA Board of Control voted Monday to approve the use of a 35-second shot clock for basketball games, beginning a multi-year transition toward statewide implementation.
Under the approved plan, schools will be allowed to voluntarily use a shot clock during certain events beginning with the 2026-27 school year. The rule will become mandatory for all TSSAA basketball games starting with the 2029-30 season.
The proposal was approved by an 8-4 vote during the Board of Control’s June meeting in Mt. Juliet.
The four-year rollout was designed to give schools time to prepare for the change. Schools will need to purchase shot clock equipment and train personnel to operate it during games, creating additional costs for many programs across the state.
Beginning in 2026-27, schools may utilize a shot clock during Hall of Champions events and holiday tournaments as part of the transition period. Those early opportunities are expected to help schools and officials become familiar with the new rule before statewide implementation.
Once fully adopted, teams will have 35 seconds to attempt a shot that contacts the rim before possession is turned over to the opposing team.
The addition of a shot clock marks one of the most significant rule changes for Tennessee high school basketball in recent years and will impact programs across the state, including Coffee County’s Red Raiders and Lady Raiders.
Full implementation of the shot clock is scheduled to begin during the 2029-30 basketball season.
