30-Second Shot Clock
A free online 30-second shot clock for NCAA college basketball — men's and women's — with the 20-second offensive-rebound reset, an end-of-clock buzzer and keyboard shortcuts. The interactive clock above is already set to 30 / 20; press Space to start and stop, or use the reset buttons.
How the NCAA shot clock works
In NCAA basketball the offensive team has 30 seconds to attempt a shot that hits the rim. If the clock expires first it is a shot-clock violation and the ball goes to the defence. The clock starts when a team gains possession in the backcourt and stops on whistles, made baskets and the end of a period.
The 20-second reset
After an offensive rebound in the frontcourt, the clock resets to 20 seconds rather than a full 30 — keeping play quick after a missed shot the offence rebounds. It also resets to 20 on certain defensive fouls or violations when the offence retains the ball in the frontcourt. On a true change of possession, or a rebound recovered in the backcourt, it resets to a full 30 seconds.
NCAA vs. other levels
| League / level | Shot clock | Reset after offensive rebound |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA — men's & women's | 30 seconds | 20 seconds |
| NBA / WNBA / FIBA | 24 seconds | 14 seconds |
| U.S. high school (NFHS) | 35 seconds (state option) | No standard partial reset |
| FIBA 3x3 | 12 seconds | Fresh 12s on a new possession |
A bit of history
NCAA men's basketball played with a 35-second clock for years before cutting it to 30 seconds for the 2015-16 season to boost scoring and pace. The 20-second offensive-rebound reset followed for men in 2018-19 (women adopted it in 2017-18), bringing the college game closer to the rhythm of the NBA and FIBA.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the NCAA shot clock?
Both NCAA men's and women's basketball use a 30-second shot clock.
Does the NCAA shot clock reset to 20 seconds?
Yes — after an offensive rebound in the frontcourt the 30-second clock resets to 20, a rule used since 2018-19 (men) and 2017-18 (women).
When did the NCAA move to 30 seconds?
Men's college basketball dropped from 35 to 30 seconds for the 2015-16 season; the women's game was already at 30.