How to Run the Scoreboard & Shot Clock

You run two things from one console: the scoreboard (score and team fouls) and, in leagues that use it, the 35-second shot clock. The shot clock has its own horn, and it deliberately sounds different from the game-clock buzzer so the officials can tell them apart.

The scoreboard half is easy — the official scorer feeds you every basket. The shot clock is the part people worry about, but it's mostly one rule applied over and over.

1. 1

   New possession → full 35

   The instant the other team gains clear control of the ball, reset the shot clock to 35 seconds.

2. 2

   Shot hits the rim, same team keeps it → full 35

   If a try touches the ring and the shooting team rebounds, reset to 35 and let it run.

3. 3

   Ball stays with the same team, no rim → keep running

   On a steal-back, a tap-out the offense recovers, or similar where the same team retains it without a rim touch, do not reset — let the clock continue.

4. 4

   Shot clock reads zero → sound the horn

   Hit your distinct horn. Then watch — play stops only if an official whistles the violation.

5. 5

   Official signals reset → put 35 back up

   A finger circling overhead means reset. When you're unsure whether it's a reset, default to a full 35 and let the official correct you.

Shot clock length

35 seconds (high school, where the state has adopted it)

Reset trigger

Change of possession, or rim touch with same team retaining

Violation signal

Official taps top of head

Reset signal

Official circles finger overhead

Horn rule

Sounds at 0:00; does not stop play on its own

• Scoreboard powered on and showing 0-0 with the correct period
• Team-foul counters set to zero
• Shot-clock horn tested and confirmed distinct from the game buzzer
• Pre-game check with officials: shot clock in use, yes or no?
• You can see both the floor and the lead official's signals from your seat
• Reset and game-clock controls clearly identified before tip-off