Texas high school basketball will get a 35-second shot clock under a package of rule changes the University Interscholastic League Legislative Council passed in October. The council also approved live television broadcasts of regular-season Friday night football.
Coaches across the state are still weighing the impact. A Nov. 11 discussion on X asked coaches what they think of the UIL allowing live TV broadcasts of Friday night games starting next season.
The UIL Legislative Council met Oct. 18-19 in Austin and approved the shot clock for varsity boys and girls basketball under a phased rollout. Conference 5A and 6A programs would adopt it no earlier than the 2028-29 school year. Conferences 3A and 4A would follow no earlier than 2030-31, with 1A and 2A no earlier than 2032-33.
The UIL said each stage will be monitored and the schedule may be modified.
Friday night football on TV
The council passed a proposal to allow linear television broadcasts of regular-season Friday night football games when both schools agree. The rule change could affect Flower Mound and Marcus games, along with programs statewide.
All rule changes passed by the Legislative Council require approval from the Commissioner of Education before taking effect.
Home-field advantage and flag football
The council approved home-field advantage for the first round of playoffs in all team sports across all conferences, starting with the 2027-28 school year. That means higher-seeded teams in football, basketball, volleyball, soccer and other team sports would host opening-round playoff games.
The UIL also approved a girls flag football pilot program in concept, with no more than two classifications, to begin no earlier than 2028-29. The organization said it will gather additional information on rules and guidelines for consideration at future Legislative Council meetings.
Other changes
Additional actions from the October meeting included increasing the Conference 4A girls cross country race distance to 5,000 meters beginning in 2028-29. Junior high cross country meets will now be allowed to start in the morning.
The council also opened Conference 4A team tennis to Conferences 1A and 2A starting next school year. Conference 3A schools already participate in 4A team tennis.
The Commissioner of Education's approval is the next step.
