Overview
- The UIL Legislative Council approved the 35-second shot clock on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, and forwarded the proposal to Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath for final sign-off.
- The plan mandates the clock for varsity games and phases in required use by classification with 6A and 5A no earlier than the 2028-29 school year, 4A/3A in 2030-31, and 2A/1A in 2032-33.
- Schools may opt into limited use sooner if coaches agree, including varsity showcase and invitational events this season and non-district varsity play in 2027-28 with coach consent.
- Districts will likely pay for shot-clock hardware, installation, and staffing to operate the clocks, a cost and logistical concern flagged by smaller programs that could delay or complicate rollout.
- Supporters cite player development, tempo control and smoother officiating as reasons for the change and adoption follows the NFHS rule that allowed state shot clocks in 2021, making Texas the 35th state to move forward with a shot-clock policy in some form.