The National Federation of State High School Associations has given its blessing to the state associations for adoption of a 35-second shot clock in the 2022-23 season. 

The decision opens the door for Nebraska to add a shot clock in some capacity. 

“The NSAA will work with its member schools in taking the next steps regarding a shot clock as this is a state association adoption and not a mandated rule,” NSAA Assistant Director of Basketball Jon Dolliver said. 

The shot clock was among the topics discussed at the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee annual meeting April 20-22. All recommendations were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors. 

NFHS rule 2-14 states that each state association may adopt a shot clock beginning in the 2022-23 season — according to guidelines outlined in the Basketball Rules Book — to encourage standardization among states. Guidelines include displaying two timepieces that are connected to a horn that is distinctive from the game-clock horn, and using an alternative timing device, such as a stopwatch at the scorer’s table, for a shot clock malfunction. The guidelines also allow for corrections to the shot clock only during the shot-clock period in which an error occurred and the officials have definite information relative to the mistake or malfunction.

“We provided the committee with a lot of information regarding the shot clock, including responses to a 46-question survey sent to states currently using a shot clock,” said Theresia Wynns, NFHS director of sports and officials and liaison to the Basketball Rules Committee in a press release. 

For Nebraska to adopt a shot clock on a local level it would need to go through the NSAA’s legislative process. A member school would need to propose it and the schools would then vote. If it passed that vote the NSAA board would need to approve the legislative or rule change. 

A shot clock could also be approved for a single class. For instance, if it’s Class A, only it could be proposed by the class caucus which would then only be voted on by those schools in that class and approved by the board. 

A few challenges still remain but the NSAA losing its NFHS voting rights is no longer the biggest hurdle in approving a shot clock in Nebraska.