OKPreps Mailbox: Shot Clock

There’s one question circulating the OKPreps community and you have guessed correctly it is the annual “do we need a shot clock?” question. In my opinion one is likely needed and we are probably overdue for one. There are several mixed opinions though, For example in recent memory the bigger classes pushed for it while the smaller classes opposed it. I believe awhile back there was a survey that went around to coaches across the State asking coaches if it was needed and according to Edmond Memorial head boys coach Shane Cowherd in a tweet that 92% and 82% in Class 5A and 6A requested it while 68% and 67% in Class 4A and Class 3A requested it while 56% in Class 2A requested it. I do not have numbers for Class A but I did see where a coach said 40% in Class B requested it and both boys and girls coaches were polled on this.

A brief history of the shot clock

The shot clock first came into the NBA in 1954, the 24-second shot clock we all see currently. Former Boston Celtics player and great Bob Cousy once said the game before the shot clock was good hard play for three quarters and then stalling the remainder of the game with fouling and free throws at the end. Fans didn’t like it and attendance fell. Putting in the shot clock improved fan enjoyment, interest and attendance

The shot clock came to the collegiate level in the 1970-71 season. In 1985-86 it was a 45 second clock, changed to 35 seconds in 1993-94 and then 30 seconds in 2015 which it currently is.

I have noticed many discussions on this topic across OKPreps social media, message boards and so on, For example one person made a good point that there are a lot of teams that play “stall ball” with two minutes left and that a shot clock would allow the opportunity to see close games played out until the final buzzer, Another person went on to say that a faster pace of play will be stalled by multiple stoppages to correct improper clock operation and not to mention the training that officials, school personnel and coaches will take a good amount of time to implement, There was a referee that would say he doesn’t believe that it will happen in the state for the foreseeable future and that’s it’s not that big of an issue then something about it wouldn’t pass a vote by the coaches yet most coaches have admitted that they want it and want it now and one reason I think it happens sooner than later because more states are adopting it and there hasn’t been one state that reverted back and taking it away. I do recall a Class 6A girls coach say something about wanting a trial period of shot clocks at tournaments but I don’t remember if it ever got voted on, This was a few seasons ago but maybe a trial period of shot clocks is needed to test it out but my question is when do you do it and how long would said trial period be?

I know one big advantage for a shot clock which is keeping the game up tempo and stop teams from playing “stall ball” which is a true statement on holding the ball cause I remember covering a couple games in which a team held the ball for several minutes and the other team’s fans including the team that was holding the ball was not happy and was booing the team playing “stall ball”.

I seen just the other day in an article from The Daily Oklahoman that the OSSAA has put the shot clock up for debate in the latest meeting, All 11 members voted to continue surveying schools before making a final decision. “We had much discussion about this as a staff, generally not wanting to have different playing rules in our activities for different classes,” But with this shot clock thing, we finally resolved the fact that if those two classes don’t want it, at least at this time, maybe we don’t impose it on them” said David Jackson in a statement to the Daily Oklahoman. The shot clock has been popular amongst coaches in Class 6A and the majority of coaches in Class 2A-6A wanted it where as Class A and B not so much according to the survey. Jackson presented a recommendation for the board to require shot clocks for Class 2A-6A in 2024-25 with it being optional in 2023-24. The one major factor in all this is the cost of the shot clocks according to Amy Cassell, Most shot clocks ranged anywhere from $1000 to $6000. There are plans to send a new surveys to schools in January after break.

I stated above that a shot clock is definitely needed and overdue and yes there will be a learning curve to it but I do think teams could adjust to it, As stated above the pace of game would pick up. There are a few more arguments to be made for using a shot clock, For starters as I noted above it prevents stalling, There could be more teams playing zone defense over man defense. I have seen many people make the case the shot clock should be 45 seconds but I know a few coaches and fans that think 35 seconds is plenty of time, Another thing that would change is coaching strategy, Many coaches like to control the tempo and slow the game down and using a shot clock takes away from that strategy. It appears slowing down the game helps teams with less talent pull off the upset win and there would be fewer upsets with a shot clock, In a way it hurts the underdog and scores could potentially be more lopsided. There are also claims that with a shot clock that there will be more teams sitting back inside and playing zone defenses. One suggestion to counter stalling would be for Team A to abandon their zone defense and apply pressure man to man to force turnovers on Team B to turn the tide, Another point that ties to this is that some coaches believe that when forced to play fast there will be an erosion of player fundamentals, more turnovers and a lot of rushed and bad shots, I have seen several teams that play fast paced and up-tempo without it so it would be interesting to see those teams play with one. There was one study that indicated the argument was generational as many older coaches was opposed to it while younger coaches played with the shot clock rule and that was why many are in favor of it. I did read an article where there was a few alternatives to the shot clock, For example one idea suggested was that if an official sees a team back the ball out to the half court and just hold it for a period of time that they could circle his arm around signaling that the offense must begin to play, and that failure to do so would result in a turnover.

There’s a lot to think about and take in on this discussion but I could see it all working out in the long run. It will be very interesting to see how this all turns out.