The University Interscholastic League Legislative Council approved the adoption of a 35-second shot clock for high school basketball and sanctioned girls flag football as a UIL sport during its meeting in Austin on Monday, October 19, 2026. These decisions are poised to bring significant changes to high school athletics across Texas, with implementation beginning in upcoming school years.
The 35-second shot clock will be implemented for varsity basketball contests in the UIL's two largest classifications, 6A and 5A, starting in the 2028-29 school year. Its use will then be phased into smaller classifications over subsequent years, with 4A and 3A schools expected to adopt it no sooner than 2030-2031, and 2A and 1A programs no sooner than 2032-2033. All varsity games, including preseason and postseason play, will require a shot clock. Sub-varsity teams may use the shot clock in non-district games and invitational tournaments, or with District Executive Committee approval in district contests.
This plan now moves to Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath for final approval. The UIL's initial rollout plan for lower classifications could be adjusted based on feedback from the earliest implementations.
School districts will be responsible for the costs associated with new equipment, installation, and the staffing required to operate the shot clocks during games. Before the mandatory implementation, schools at all levels have the option to use a shot clock in varsity showcase events and invitational tournaments as early as the current season, provided coaches agree. This option will expand to include varsity non-district contests beginning in the 2027-28 season. The UIL is not recommending the addition of a shot clock for middle school basketball, citing a desire to maintain focus on developmental play and time management at that level.
Support for the shot clock has been evident among high school coaches and superintendents. A 2023 survey by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches indicated that 66% of boys' head coaches and 57% of girls' head coaches supported its adoption. UIL superintendent surveys from spring 2025 and fall 2026 also showed support, with 61% of 6A superintendents and 68% of 5A superintendents in favor.
Girls flag football, which has seen rapid growth in Texas over the past two years, will become a UIL sport through a pilot program. This program is set to begin no earlier than the 2028-29 school year. The UIL still needs to determine the number of participating schools and the time of year the sport will be played, although its non-UIL seasons have typically occurred in the spring.
The pilot program will initially involve no more than two classifications, with the possibility for smaller schools to play up, a practice also permitted in soccer. The UIL may consider adopting different divisions within a classification to accommodate schools of varying sizes.
The sport's expansion in Texas has been significantly aided by the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans. Danny McCray, the Cowboys’ director of youth football development, reported to the UIL’s Standing Committee on Athletics that 230 Texas high schools now participate, a substantial increase from 26 schools in 2024. Hannah McNair, chief community officer and vice president for the Houston Texans Foundation, anticipates that 270 schools and nearly 6,000 athletes will participate this school year. A fall survey of 6A and 5A superintendents found that 52% supported the UIL sanctioning girls flag football.
Susan Bohn, chair for the UIL’s Standing Committee on Athletics, highlighted that the sport's growth, despite a state funding crisis for Texas schools, has been sustained by a guaranteed funding source through the involvement of the Cowboys and Texans. The NFL has committed to "some level of funding for some period of time for schools that want to start a flag program," Bohn stated.
A primary question for the UIL is the timing of the season within the school year. UIL executive director Jamey Harrison noted that all 12 months are being considered, with discussions including late spring, early spring, and fall. UIL director of athletics Ray Zepeda mentioned potential conflicts with track and field's postseason meets if played in the spring, which could discourage multi-sport athletes. Playing in the fall, during football and volleyball seasons, could be complicated by a statewide shortage of officials. Other states like Georgia play in the fall, while New York holds its season in the spring.
In other athletic business, the UIL approved several changes taking effect with the 2027-28 school year. Football teams in Class 4A and below will now receive home-field advantage in the first round of playoffs, a benefit previously limited to 6A and 5A teams. This home-field advantage will also be adopted for all classifications in basketball, volleyball, team tennis, and soccer.
The legislative council passed a proposal allowing linear football broadcasts on Friday nights during the regular season, provided both participating schools agree.
For cross country, girls in Class 4A will begin running 5,000-meter races in postseason meets starting in 2028, matching the distance already run by girls in 6A and 5A. This change will standardize the state championship race distances for girls across all classifications to be the same as boys. Currently, girls in 4A and below run two miles.
Additionally, starting next school year, Class 1A and 2A schools will be permitted to participate in Class 4A team tennis, joining Class 3A schools.
The UIL denied or took no action on proposals concerning instant replay for all sports, changes to sport season dates for football, basketball, and volleyball, allowing boys to play volleyball, and adding cycling as a sanctioned activity.
