What is a shot clock?
A shot clock is a countdown that limits how long the team with the ball may keep it before it has to shoot. In basketball it is 24 seconds under FIBA and NBA rules, in korfball 25 seconds and in water polo 28 seconds. When it reaches zero without a valid shot, the ball goes to the other team.
How long is the shot clock?
| Sport | Shot clock | Reset |
|---|---|---|
| BasketballFIBA, NBA, WNBA | 24 seconds | 14 seconds after an offensive rebound off the rim |
| College basketballNCAA | 30 seconds | Men: 20 seconds after an offensive rebound, if fewer than 20 remain |
| High school basketballNFHS (state option) | 35 seconds | Some states and leagues use 30 |
| 3x3 basketballFIBA 3x3 | 12 seconds | 12 seconds |
| KorfballIKF | 25 seconds | 25 seconds when the ball touches the korf or post |
| Water poloWorld Aquatics | 28 seconds | 18 seconds after a rebound kept by the attack |
| Lacrosse, college menNCAA | 80 seconds | See the NCAA rules for resets |
| Lacrosse, college womenNCAA | 90 seconds | See the NCAA rules for resets |
| Box lacrosseNLL and box leagues | 30 seconds | See your league rules |
High school basketball in the US: which states are adding the shot clock, and when.
Why do sports use a shot clock?
To stop a team that leads from holding the ball and running down the game clock. A shot clock forces a shot within a fixed time, which keeps the game moving and gives the defense a reason to keep pressing.
What happens when the shot clock runs out?
The buzzer sounds and the attacking team has committed a shot clock violation. Play stops and the ball goes to the opponents. The exact restart is in each sport’s rules.
What is the difference between the shot clock and the game clock?
The game clock counts down the whole period, such as 10 minutes in a FIBA quarter. The shot clock only counts one possession and is reset many times per period. Shot Clock Pro shows both on one screen.
Is there a free shot clock I can use in practice?
Yes. shotclock.online is a free shot clock in the browser: open it on a laptop, TV or projector and use your phone as the remote. Every sport in the table has a preset.
Run it in practice
Each sport above has a page with the rule in more detail and a button that starts the clock with the right times: basketball, korfball, water polo and the rest. Ideas for using it at training are in shot clock drills.
FIBA, NBA, WNBA, NCAA, NFHS, IKF, KNKV, World Aquatics, NLL and other names are trademarks of their owners. Shot Clock is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.