From the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS), rule changes for the 2021-22 high school basketball season:
2-14 (NEW): By state association adoption, effective with the 2022-2023 season, member state associations may establish a shot clock in which the team in control shall attempt a try for field goal within 35 seconds after gaining team control. This shall be regulated by a visible shot clock. The tap or try for field goal shall leave the shooter's hand before the expiration of time and subsequently strike the basket ring or enter the basket before or after the shot clock period has expired.
Rationale: This proposal allows each state to authorize the use of the shot clock as a state adoption. The use of the guidelines, provided in the rules book, encourage standardization among those who choose to adopt.
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3-5-4e (NEW): Head coverings worn for religious reasons shall not be made of abrasive or hard materials; and must fit securely so that it is highly unlikely to come off during play. NOTE: The State Association shall be notified, after the contest, if there is a concern about a head covering worn for religious reasons.
Rationale: The addition of this provision allows for religious head coverings to be permitted without state association approval provided they are secured properly and not made of abrasive or hard materials.
While several states have utilized a variety of options to permit the use of a shot clock in high school basketball, this allowance has not previously been permitted within the NFHS playing rules. Effective with the 2022-2023 program year, state associations may utilize a 35-second shot clock and in compliance with 2-14, be considered to be adhering to the playing rules.
In adopting the option to utilize the shot clock, the committee remains cognizant of the many advocates and opponents of its use and has encouraged standardization among those who choose to adopt. In this way, future committees can gather and analyze consistent data as they evaluate any future considerations for change. The committee felt it appropriate to stop short of a nationwide rule change and instead allow for the continued analysis of both game and violation statistics as well as continue to measure preferences in all states through surveys and questionnaire data. These decisions will need to be addressed within each of the states as they determine whether or not to pursue this path, and are, for now, best guided by each state's analysis of the wants, needs and desires of its membership.
The committee is therefore issuing guidance supplemental to the rules that list several areas for consideration by each state. These include the acquisition of the shot clock units, considerations for operators, protocols for officials including mechanics and duties, and the many other rules considerations that will need to be reviewed regarding full and partial resets, procedures for equipment failure and responsibilities for officials. This information will be placed supplemental to the actual playing rules to assist decision makers in this review.
3-5-4f EXCEPTION: Head decorations and headwear, except those specified above, are prohibited. EXCEPTION: State associations may on an individual basis permit a player to participate while wearing a head covering if it meets the following criteria: a) In the event a participant is required by a licensed medical physician to cover the head with a covering or wrap, the physician's statement is required before the state association can approve a covering or wrap which is not abrasive, hard or dangerous to any other player and which is attached in such a way that it is highly unlikely to come off during play. Delete: b) for religious reasons: In the event there is documented evidence provided to the state association (or designee) that a participant may not expose his/her uncovered head, the state association may approve a covering or wrap which is not abrasive, hard or dangerous to any other player and which is attached in such a way it is highly unlikely to come off during play.
Rationale: The playing rules were modified to add a provision that allows for religious head coverings to be permitted without state association approval.
The playing rules were modified to add a provision that allows for religious head coverings to be permitted without state association approval as long as they are not made of abrasive or hard materials and provided, they securely fit. This change also removes the previous exception that required state association approval prior to this type of head covering being worn.
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THE MANUAL - Part 3 SIGNALS 36 & 37: Eliminate signal #37 (Team Control Foul) Maintain Use of Signal #36 for Player Control and Team Control Foul
Player/Team Control Foul #36
Preceded by stop clock signal (Signal 4). The same hand used to stop the clock is placed at the back of the head (Signal 36). The directional signal (Signal 6) shall be given and then indicate the ensuing throw-in spot (Signal 7).
- A common foul committed by a player while that player is in control of the ball or by an airborne shooter.
- A common foul committed by a member of the team that has control.
Rationale: It is redundant to have different signals to communicate that a foul will be charged to a member of the team in control of the ball. Officials do not understand the need to differentiate between a player control foul and a team control foul and many game participants, table personnel and fans do not know the difference. This change would not alter any rules or rule definitions.
The committee reviewed the various changes that had been both made and requested at a variety of levels of basketball and determined that all player and team control fouls should utilize Signal 36 (the hand behind the head) rather than the previous mechanics that utilized Signal 37 (the extended fist) for a team control foul. The proper sequence for either of these calls will now be Signal 4 to indicate a foul, the use of the same arm to give Signal 36 to indicate a player or team control foul, followed by Signal 6 indicating the direction in which the ball will be put in play and then Signal 7 to indicate the throw-in spot.
2-14 (NEW): By state association adoption, effective with the 2022-2023 season, member state associations may establish a shot clock in which the team in control shall attempt a try for field goal within 35 seconds after gaining team control. This shall be regulated by a visible shot clock. The tap or try for field goal shall leave the shooter's hand before the expiration of time and subsequently strike the basket ring or enter the basket before or after the shot clock period has expired.
Rationale: This proposal allows each state to authorize the use of the shot clock as a state adoption. The use of the guidelines, provided in the rules book, encourage standardization among those who choose to adopt.
=====================================
3-5-4e (NEW): Head coverings worn for religious reasons shall not be made of abrasive or hard materials; and must fit securely so that it is highly unlikely to come off during play. NOTE: The State Association shall be notified, after the contest, if there is a concern about a head covering worn for religious reasons.
Rationale: The addition of this provision allows for religious head coverings to be permitted without state association approval provided they are secured properly and not made of abrasive or hard materials.
While several states have utilized a variety of options to permit the use of a shot clock in high school basketball, this allowance has not previously been permitted within the NFHS playing rules. Effective with the 2022-2023 program year, state associations may utilize a 35-second shot clock and in compliance with 2-14, be considered to be adhering to the playing rules.
In adopting the option to utilize the shot clock, the committee remains cognizant of the many advocates and opponents of its use and has encouraged standardization among those who choose to adopt. In this way, future committees can gather and analyze consistent data as they evaluate any future considerations for change. The committee felt it appropriate to stop short of a nationwide rule change and instead allow for the continued analysis of both game and violation statistics as well as continue to measure preferences in all states through surveys and questionnaire data. These decisions will need to be addressed within each of the states as they determine whether or not to pursue this path, and are, for now, best guided by each state's analysis of the wants, needs and desires of its membership.
The committee is therefore issuing guidance supplemental to the rules that list several areas for consideration by each state. These include the acquisition of the shot clock units, considerations for operators, protocols for officials including mechanics and duties, and the many other rules considerations that will need to be reviewed regarding full and partial resets, procedures for equipment failure and responsibilities for officials. This information will be placed supplemental to the actual playing rules to assist decision makers in this review.
3-5-4f EXCEPTION: Head decorations and headwear, except those specified above, are prohibited. EXCEPTION: State associations may on an individual basis permit a player to participate while wearing a head covering if it meets the following criteria:
Rationale: The playing rules were modified to add a provision that allows for religious head coverings to be permitted without state association approval.
The playing rules were modified to add a provision that allows for religious head coverings to be permitted without state association approval as long as they are not made of abrasive or hard materials and provided, they securely fit. This change also removes the previous exception that required state association approval prior to this type of head covering being worn.
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THE MANUAL - Part 3 SIGNALS 36 & 37: Eliminate signal #37 (Team Control Foul) Maintain Use of Signal #36 for Player Control and Team Control Foul
Player/Team Control Foul #36
Preceded by stop clock signal (Signal 4). The same hand used to stop the clock is placed at the back of the head (Signal 36). The directional signal (Signal 6) shall be given and then indicate the ensuing throw-in spot (Signal 7).
- A common foul committed by a player while that player is in control of the ball or by an airborne shooter.
- A common foul committed by a member of the team that has control.
Rationale: It is redundant to have different signals to communicate that a foul will be charged to a member of the team in control of the ball. Officials do not understand the need to differentiate between a player control foul and a team control foul and many game participants, table personnel and fans do not know the difference. This change would not alter any rules or rule definitions.
The committee reviewed the various changes that had been both made and requested at a variety of levels of basketball and determined that all player and team control fouls should utilize Signal 36 (the hand behind the head) rather than the previous mechanics that utilized Signal 37 (the extended fist) for a team control foul. The proper sequence for either of these calls will now be Signal 4 to indicate a foul, the use of the same arm to give Signal 36 to indicate a player or team control foul, followed by Signal 6 indicating the direction in which the ball will be put in play and then Signal 7 to indicate the throw-in spot.