Three rule changes addressing when goaltending and basket interference are called highlight six revisions to high school basketball rules for the 2025-26 season approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations Board of Directors.
The most significant change establishes that a ball is considered on its downward flight once it contacts the backboard on a legitimate shot attempt, making it goaltending if a defensive player touches the ball afterward. Previously, officials had to determine subjectively whether a shot was still ascending before calling goaltending.
"By establishing that a ball is considered to be on its downward flight upon contacting the backboard, this rule change introduces a clear and objective standard," said Monica Maxwell, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Basketball Rules Committee. "It significantly reduces the need for officials to make subjective judgments regarding the trajectory of a shot."
The changes also eliminate offensive goaltending violations, specifying that only defensive players can commit goaltending. Any alteration of a shot attempt with contact to the basket or backboard by an offensive player will be considered basket interference.
Additionally, intentionally slapping or striking the backboard during a shot attempt will now result in basket interference rather than a technical foul, removing the element of intent from officials' decisions.
Other approved changes include treating all players as bench personnel during timeouts to ensure consistent enforcement of unsporting conduct penalties, and reducing the penalty for players who purposely delay returning to the court after being out of bounds from a technical foul to a violation.
"One of the points of emphasis this year will be bench decorum," said Billy Strickland, executive director of the Alaska School Activities Association and chair of the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee.
The NFHS Basketball Rules Committee recommended all six changes during its April meeting in Indianapolis.
TSSAA head coaches receive free access to the digital rules book and are briefed annually on rules changes through mandatory rules clinics.
According to the most recent NFHS participation survey, basketball ranks as the third-most popular sport for boys with 536,668 participants in 18,587 schools, and fourth-most popular for girls with 367,284 participants at 18,090 schools.
