LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky high school basketball teams won’t have to wait until 2027-28 to begin using a shot clock. Schools may use the 35-second clock during the 2026-27 season if both teams agree, giving programs a one-year optional transition period before it becomes mandatory for all KHSAA varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball contests.
The KHSAA Board of Control finalized the shot clock parameters Wednesday, including procedures for operation, resets, and staffing. Schools may use a licensed official as the shot clock operator, with the KHSAA recommending compensation at 70% of the standard varsity officiating fee. Using a $70 varsity officiating fee as an example, the shot clock operator would receive $49, the same recommended rate as an alternate official. The finalized guidance also establishes a 20-second reset following a defensive foul or kicked ball when 20 seconds or fewer remain on the shot clock. Full parameters are incuded at the end of the article.
At its meeting on Wednesday, the Board of Control finalized the guidance for shot clocks for the 2027-28 basketball season. This guidance is posted online and includes both the necessary regulatory pieces (since this is a state association adoption by NFHS rules), and the NFHS Rules Book current guidance. The document is posted at www.khsaa.org.
The missing pieces finalized at the meeting were two reset times: the defense kicking the ball or defensive fouls, each of which would reset the clock to 20 if they occurred with 20 seconds or less on the shot clock. These are obviously to prevent the defense from gaining an advantage with one of these acts while the clock is winding down, and are standard among most states that have adopted the shot clock.
In addition, the Board of Control had previously approved a recommended 70% standard fee for schools or associations that wish to use a licensed official as the shot clock operator. As a practical example, if your normal varsity fee for an official were $70 (the $65 base plus $5 local policy board add-on), this recommended fee would be $49. This aligns with the fee should you choose to have an alternate official at your game for other reasons.
This regulatory language will be incorporated into the association’s competition rules and will remain in effect unless further modified by the Board or a formal nationwide rule for the shot clock is adopted in a future year.
Full Parameters:
