What is the 24-second shot clock in basketball
The 24-second shot clock is a digital device that begins at a countdown of 24 seconds and continues until it reaches its final number of 0.
Also, the 24-second shot clock is primarily used in professional leagues such as the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) as well as the Women’s Basketball Development Association (WBDA).
What is the 24-second shot clock rule
The 24-second shot clock rule in the game of basketball requires an offensive team to attempt a field goal within 24 seconds of their current possession.
What is a team possession in relation to the 24-second shot clock
A team is in possession of the basketball during a 24-second shot clock cycle when one player gains full control of the ball and is able to hold it in their hands, pass it to another teammate, or legally dribble it in the backcourt or frontcourt.
It should also be noted that even if a defensive team deflects or generally touches the ball, an offensive team would still be in possession of it.
What this means is that the 24-second shot clock will still continue to countdown even if a defender deflects a pass, knocks the ball out of the hands of an offensive player, or touches the ball while trying to steal it from an offensive player.
When does team possession end in relation to the 24-second shot clock
An offensive team is no longer in possession of the ball in relation to the 24-second shot clock when one particular offensive player attempts a field goal that makes contact with the rim or a defensive player gains full control of the ball prior to a field goal attempt, typically by stealing it from an offensive player.
What occurs once the 24-second shot clock reaches zero
When the 24-second shot clock reaches zero on the timer, the device will usually sound an alarm, typically in the form of a horn that would also be unique in relation to the scoreboard’s or game clock’s audible sound (this is generally a buzzer), which would occur at the end of periods or during substitutions.
From that point, if the team in possession of the ball did not attempt a field goal, then that would lead to a penalty for breaking the 24-second shot clock rule, which is a shot clock violation.
Once a shot clock violation occurs, the team that failed to attempt a field goal in time would lose possession of the ball via turnover to the opposing team, who would receive it at the nearest sideline where the play was stopped but not as close to the baseline as the free throw line extended.
It should be noted as well that in the NBA and WNBA, if a referee accidentally blows their whistle at the same time that the shot clock alarm goes off while the ball is in the air, then that would result in play being suspended momentarily.
From there, if the ball that was previously in the air hits the rim but the field goal attempt misses, then play would be resumed by way of a jump ball at the center circle between any two opposing players.
On the other hand, if the ball that was previously in the air does not hit the rim, then the result is a shot clock violation.
However, if the ball that was previously in the air goes into the basket ring, then that would be considered a successful field goal attempt and therefore, no penalty would happen.
It should also be mentioned that once the 24-second shot clock reaches zero and the ball is dead for any reason with the exception of a defensive three-second violation, a striking the ball violation, or a personal foul or technical foul by a member of the defensive team, then that will result in a shot clock violation as well.
When does the 24-second shot clock start
In general, the 24-second shot clock starts once a player gains possession of the basketball, which also means that same player’s team is in control of the ball
Afterwards, the offensive player in possession of the ball as well as other offensive teammates on the court would then have 24 seconds to attempt a field goal before the 24-second shot clock reaches zero.
However, it should be noted that during a throw-in, also known as an inbound pass, the shot clock starts when the ball comes in legal contact by any player on the court.
In other words, during the throw-in, a player does not necessarily need to gain full control of the ball to start/continue the 24-second shot clock.
Also, after a jump ball or missed free throw, the 24-second shot clock starts or continues again once any player on the court is in control of the ball.
When does the 24-second shot clock stop
Generally speaking, the 24-second shot clock stops when a defensive player is the last to touch the ball and at the same time, the ball goes out of bounds or gets batted into the basket ring from below.
If that happens, the offensive team should receive the ball for a throw-in opportunity but the 24-second shot clock should not reset either.
Essentially, the offensive team would have whatever time was remaining on the shot clock before the defensive team last touched the ball.
However, it should be noted though that if the 24-second shot clock reaches 0 at the same time the defensive team touches the ball last, it would still result in a shot clock violation.
Furthermore, if there are less than 24 seconds remaining on the game clock in a period of play, then the 24-second shot clock should not be active during a change of possession from one team to another.
As a brief example, let’s say that Team A has possession of the ball with 27 seconds remaining on the game clock in a quarter while there are 12 seconds counting down on the shot clock.
Afterwards, let’s say that Team A attempts a field goal four seconds later with 23 seconds remaining on the game clock.
Next, let’s say that Team B secures the ball via a defensive rebound. At that point, Team B is in control of the ball but since there are less than 24 seconds remaining in the period of play, the 24-second shot clock would not be active at that time.
When does the 24-second shot clock reset to 24 seconds
Change of possession
The 24-second shot clock resets to 24 seconds when possession of the ball changes from one team to the other team.
Personal foul during inbound pass in the backcourt
The 24-second shot clock resets to 24 seconds when a person foul happens during an inbound pass in the backcourt.
Other type of violation during inbound pass in the backcourt
The 24-second shot clock resets to 24 seconds when some other type of violation occurs during an inbound pass in the backcourt.
Specific type of jump ball situation
The 24-second shot clock resets to 24 seconds during jump ball situations that are not the result of a held ball caused by the defensive team.
Flagrant and punching fouls
The 24-second shot clock resets to 24 seconds during any and all flagrant and punching fouls.
When does the 24-second shot clock reset to 14 seconds
Offensive team gains possession of the ball following missed free throw or field goal attempt
The 24-second shot clock resets to 14 seconds when the offensive team is the first to gain possession of the ball, typically via offensive rebound, after a missed free throw attempt that stays in play or a missed field goal attempt that touches the basket ring.
Offensive team keeps possession of the ball after it goes out of bounds following missed free throw or field goal attempt
The 24-second shot clock resets to 14 seconds when the offensive team is able to keep possession of the ball after it goes out of bounds following a missed free throw attempt that stays in play or after a missed field goal attempt that touches the basket ring.
Loose ball foul on the defense
The 24-second shot clock resets to 14 seconds when the defensive team gets called for a loose ball foul during the time of a missed free throw attempt that stays in play or a missed field goal attempt that touches the basket ring.
This applies when, as a result of the loose ball foul, the offensive team is able to execute an inbound pass in their frontcourt.
Related: RULE NO. 7: Shot Clock – NBA Official Rulebook