Basketball Rules for the Shot Clock & Hitting the Backboard Rim

The shot clock keeps time of a team's possession of the ball and resets after a change of possession, defensive foul or when the ball hits the rim. If the ball hits the backboard, but not the rim, the clock does not reset. The shot clock was introduced in professional basketball in 1954. Without a timed possession, teams could hold the ball for as long as they wanted, sometimes doing so for minutes at a time. The games were low scoring affairs and teams committed tons of fouls in an attempt to get the ball from their opponents.

  1. Shot Clock Rules in College

    • College basketball switched from a 45-second to a 35-second shot clock prior to the 1993-1994 season. This means that a team has 35 seconds once it gains possession of the ball to attempt to score. The shot clock runs continuously while the ball is live, stopping when the game clock stops. The shot clock resets to 35-seconds when a team attempts a shot and the ball hits the rim. If a shot is taken and it hits the backboard or any part of the basket other than the rim, it does not reset unless the defensive team gains possession off the rebound. The shot clock also resets if a defensive foul is committed, but not if the defense knocks the ball out of bounds. If the defensive team kicks the ball out of bounds, and the shot clock has less than 14 seconds, it is reset to 15 seconds. Women's college basketball recognizes the same rules, but utilize a 30-second shot clock.

    Shot Clock Rules in Professional Basketball

    • The NBA and WNBA rules for the shot clock are similar to the rules recognized in college basketball. In the NBA, the shot clock is reset to 24 seconds if a flagrant foul is committed or if a personal foul or violation is committed resulting in a back court throw-in. If there are under 14 seconds on the shot clock, it is reset to 14 seconds on personal fouls, defensive technical fouls, defensive 3-second calls or a jump ball. The shot clock does not reset if the offensive team commits a technical foul.

    Shot Clock Rules In International Basketball

    • FIBA, the governing body of international basketball, follows similar rules to those followed in the NBA. In October 2010, FIBA will adopt the NBA's shot clock rules verbatim during high-level competitions.

    Shot Clock Rules in High School

    • High school basketball is governed by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). Although the NFHS does not require the use of shot clocks, seven states in the United States utilize a 30-second shot clock. The rules for shot clock usage in high school hoops are similar to those at all other levels. The shot clock resets on a shot that hits the rim, a change of possession and on most defensive fouls.