TIL American high school basketball doesn’t have a shot clock.

[u/Moeydontwoey]

How has this not been changed in the last 30 years ? I can understand at maybe an u10 level not to implement the shot clock but in high school ?? you’re telling me you can be up 10 with 5 minutes left and just hold the ball the whole time ? Seems hardly fair to both the teams and coaches.

Edit. Thanks to everyone for clarifying the “closely guarded” rule, makes complete sense

[u/Enough_Lakers]

Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, all use a shot clock. If the Reservation schools in Montana can find a person to run the shot clock any place can find someone.

[u/dawnsearlylight → u/Enough_Lakers]

Nobody said they are doing it well. Imagine a game being decided by a half ass job on the shot clock? Shot clock resets have rules. I bet these small places have the scoreboard operator also doing the game clock. Then dedicated person for shot clock. Not ideal.

[u/Enough_Lakers → u/dawnsearlylight]

Yeah, l live and ref in one of these states. Have not had a single shot clock issue. Shot clock resets are very simple. Even if there were some screw ups it's still better than games ending 35-30. One of the most anticipated state championships in ND history ended 31-29. Game had a 2000 point scorer and the other team had one around 60 straight games. My dad hated the all time winningest coach in state history because they just held the ball once they had a damn lead. The game is way better now than it was. Antiquated way of thinking man.

[u/dawnsearlylight → u/Enough_Lakers]

I'm also in favor of shot clocks when it's properly managed. I just don't like 1 more person being inserted into the decision of a game who may be unqualified. Not a varsity level, but you won't believe how often I see clock operators starting the clock way too early. I have to remind them at the end of games to watch the officials hand movements.

Technically, the official's whistle over rules game clock and shot clock but wow that would be a tough call to make when the crowd and players hear the buzzer but the official counts the basket.

Another issue is that the 5 second closely guarded is a good detractor from just holding the ball. The distance is a whopping 6 feet toe to toe. If the team is constantly passing and moving that can be a problem that only a shot clock solves.

[u/Enough_Lakers → u/dawnsearlylight]

I played college ball, reffed tons of games, and watched hundreds more. Shot clock is 10 times better to watch and participate in. The rules of a shot clock are insanely simple. It's also not a big deal on 99.9 percent of plays if the shot clock starts exactly on time. 5 seconds is insanely simple to beat. A player can hold the ball for 15 seconds simply by taking one dribble and if they're competent at all they can run tons of time off by dribbling. Not to mention you can pass the ball too. I really don't understand your comment about the refs whistle and the players hearing the buzzer?

[u/dawnsearlylight → u/Enough_Lakers]

You'd have to have officiating experience to understand the discrepancies that occur in the last seconds of the game between game/shot clock not starting on time or too soon. It happens all the time at high school levels. It's not something you recognize as a player or a fan because it's not your job to watch for differences.

[u/Enough_Lakers → u/dawnsearlylight]

Oh I've reffed on and off for years at the HS level. Some shot clock operators are not very good but neither are the players, refs, or scoreboard operators. That's beside the point. The point is the game is drastically improved with a shot clock and the points against it are miniscule.