AUSTIN, TX— The University Interscholastic League Legislative Council met Sunday and Monday to make decisions on proposed rule changes.
In athletics, the Council approved a proposal for home field advantage for the first round of playoffs in all conferences for all team sports beginning with the 2027-28 school year. The distance of the Conference 4A girls cross country race will increase to 5,000 meters beginning in 2028-29, and junior high cross country meet start times will now be allowed to take place in the morning as a result of actions taken by the Council.
The Legislative Council also passed a proposal to allow Conferences 1A and 2A to participate in Conference 4A team tennis beginning next school year. Currently, Conference 3A schools are allowed to participate in 4A team tennis.
The Legislative Council also passed two more proposals regarding athletics:
1. The adoption of a 35-second shot clock for girls and boys basketball no earlier than 2028-29 for varsity games. It will be adopted with the proposed implementation plan:
-5A & 6A (No earlier than 2028-29)
-3A & 4A (No earlier than 2030-31)
-1A & 2A (No earlier than 2032-33)
*Each stage will be monitored by UIL for the ability to adopt according to the above schedule and may be modified.
2. The development of girls flag football in concept as a pilot program with the establishment of no more than two classifications to begin no earlier than the 2028-29 school year. UIL will gather additional information for rules and guidelines of the pilot program to be considered at subsequent Legislative Council meetings.
Additionally, the Legislative Council passed a proposal to allow linear football broadcasts on Friday night of the regular season when mutually agreed upon by both schools.
All rule changes approved during this meeting can be found on the UIL website: Click Here
THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON ATHLETICS
Passed the Following Proposals
a. A proposal for home field advantage for the first round of the playoffs in team
sports
b. A proposal to adjust scrimmage fees for officials
c. A proposal to adjust the language regarding playoff playing dates for softball and
baseball
d. A proposal to allow 1A and 2A schools to participate in 4A team tennis
e. A proposal to alter cross country junior high meet start times
f. A proposal to approve the use of shot clock
g. A proposal to increase the distance for 4A girls cross country
h. A proposal to pilot girls flag football for the 2028-2029 in no more than 2
conferences
THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON ATHLETICS
Passed the Following Proposal in Concept and Instructed Staff to Draft Appropriate
Language
a. A proposal to allow substitutions in golf
THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON ATHLETICS
Will Continue to Study or Monitor the Following Proposals
a. A proposal to add a competitive-balance and sportsmanship provision for water
polo
b. A proposal to add adaptive events to swimming and diving
THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON ATHLETICS
Denied, Rejected or Took No Action on the Following Proposals
a. A proposal to remove red and yellow card accumulation point system in soccer
b. A proposal to permit the use of instant replay in all sports
c. A proposal to limit track meets to after the school day or on weekends
d. A proposal to institute restrictions around tournaments in team sports
e. A proposal to allow schools not on a block schedule to be permitted additional skills
sessions per week
f. A proposal to change the football, basketball and volleyball sport season dates
g. A proposal to allow boys to play volleyball
h. A proposal to add cycling as a sanctioned activity
i. A proposal to add middle school overtime rules
Proposed Amendment to the
University Interscholastic League Constitution and Contest Rules
A. Brief Explanation of Proposed Recommendation
This amendment to Section 1230, Basketball Plan, Section 1250, Football Plan, Section 1270,
Soccer Plan, Section 1310, Team Tennis Plan, and Section 1330, Girls’ Volleyball Plan would alter the
regulations for first round playoff games for basketball, football 4A and below, soccer, team tennis, and
girls’ volleyball.
B. Factual and Policy Justifications
Currently, only 5A and 6A football teams have home field advantage in the first round of
playoffs. This amendment would extend home field advantage in the first round of playoffs to 4A
and below in football, as well as all classifications for volleyball, basketball, team tennis and
soccer.
C. Proposed Recommendation
Section 1230(c), Section 1250(i), Section 1270(f), Section 1310(f) and Section 1330(d) of the UIL
Constitution and Contest Rules would be amended as follows, pending approval by the Commissioner
of Education:
Section 1230: Basketball Plan
(c) NUMBER OF GAMES TOURNAMENTS AND SITES
(12) PLAYOFF GAMES. IN ALL CONFERENCES, FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF
THE PLAYOFFS ONLY, THE OPPONENT WITH THE HIGHER DISTRICT
FINISH WILL DETERMINE WHETHER THE GAME IS PLAYED ON ITS
HOME COURT OR MUTUALLY AGREE TO PLAY THE GAME AT A
NEUTRAL SITE. IF THE OPPONENTS HAVE THE SAME DISTRICT
FINISH, THE TWO TEAMS WILL FLIP A COIN OR AGREE ON A
NEUTRAL SITE.
(A) MILEAGE RESTRICTION: FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF THE
PLAYOFFS ONLY, IF THE TWO COMPETING DISTRICTS ARE
MORE THAN 200 MILES APART, THE TWO DISTRICT EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEES ARE REQUIRED TO VOTE PRIOR TO THE
BEGINNING OF THE SEASON TO WAIVE THE HOME-COURT
ADVANTAGE RULE AND PLAY AT A NEUTRAL SITE. A
NEUTRAL SITE MAY BE USED ONLY IF BOTH DISTRICT
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES APPROVE BY MAJORITY VOTE.
Section 1250: Football Plan
(i) SITE AND DAY OF GAME
(3) Playoff Games. Excluding state championship games, unless mutually agreeable
otherwise, the place for playing a playoff game shall be determined on a “home
and home” basis for the past two football seasons. The team that was the visiting
team the last time the two teams met on a home field in a post-district playoff
game may require the game be played at its home field. In case of disagreement
between two teams who have not played a post-district playoff game during the
past two football seasons, the game site shall be decided by a coin toss. A school
cannot be required to flip for a playoff site that is not large enough to
accommodate the fans from both schools. Exception: In 5A and 6A, IN ALL
CONFERENCES, for the first round of the playoffs only, the opponent with the
higher district finish will determine whether the game is played on its home field
or mutually agree to play the game at a neutral site. If the opponents have the
same district finish, the two teams will flip a coin or agree on a neutral site.
(A) MILEAGE RESTRICTION: FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF THE
PLAYOFFS ONLY, IF THE TWO COMPETING DISTRICTS ARE
MORE THAN 200 MILES APART, THE TWO DISTRICT EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEES ARE REQUIRED TO VOTE PRIOR TO THE
BEGINNING OF THE SEASON TO WAIVE THE HOME-FIELD
ADVANTAGE RULE AND PLAY AT A NEUTRAL SITE. A NEUTRAL
SITE MAY BE USED ONLY IF BOTH DISTRICT EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEES APPROVE BY MAJORITY VOTE.
Section 1270: Soccer Plan
(f) SITE OF GAME
(A) The District Executive Committee in arranging a schedule within the district shall
determine the site of matches in case of disagreement between two teams.
(B) PLAYOFF GAMES. IN ALL CONFERENCES, FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF
THE PLAYOFFS ONLY, THE OPPONENT WITH THE HIGHER DISTRICT
FINISH WILL DETERMINE WHETHER THE GAME IS PLAYED ON ITS
HOME FIELD OR MUTUALLY AGREE TO PLAY THE GAME AT A
NEUTRAL SITE. IF THE OPPONENTS HAVE THE SAME DISTRICT
FINISH, THE TWO TEAMS WILL FLIP A COIN OR AGREE ON A
NEUTRAL SITE.
(A) MILEAGE RESTRICTION: FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF THE
PLAYOFFS ONLY, IF THE TWO COMPETING DISTRICTS ARE
MORE THAN 200 MILES APART, THE TWO DISTRICT
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES ARE REQUIRED TO VOTE PRIOR TO
THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON TO WAIVE THE HOME-FIELD
ADVANTAGE RULE AND PLAY AT A NEUTRAL SITE. A
NEUTRAL SITE MAY BE USED ONLY IF BOTH DISTRICT
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES APPROVE BY MAJORITY VOTE.
Section 1310: Team Tennis Plan
(f) NUMBER OF MATCHES, TOURNAMENTS AND SITES.
(6) PLAYOFF GAMES. IN ALL CONFERENCES, FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF
THE PLAYOFFS ONLY, THE OPPONENT WITH THE HIGHER DISTRICT
FINISH WILL DETERMINE WHETHER THE GAME IS PLAYED ON ITS
HOME COURT OR MUTUALLY AGREE TO PLAY THE GAME AT A
NEUTRAL SITE. IF THE OPPONENTS HAVE THE SAME DISTRICT
FINISH, THE TWO TEAMS WILL FLIP A COIN OR AGREE ON A
NEUTRAL SITE.
(A) MILEAGE RESTRICTION: FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF THE
PLAYOFFS ONLY, IF THE TWO COMPETING DISTRICTS
ARE MORE THAN 200 MILES APART, THE TWO DISTRICT
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES ARE REQUIRED TO VOTE PRIOR
TO THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON TO WAIVE THE
HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE RULE AND PLAY AT A
NEUTRAL SITE. A NEUTRAL SITE MAY BE USED ONLY IF
BOTH DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES APPROVE BY
MAJORITY VOTE.
Section 1330: Girls’ Volleyball Plan
(d) SITE OF MATCH
(A) The District Executive Committee in arranging a schedule within the district shall
determine the site of matches in case of disagreement between two teams.
(B) PLAYOFF GAMES. IN ALL CONFERENCES, FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF
THE PLAYOFFS ONLY, THE OPPONENT WITH THE HIGHER DISTRICT
FINISH WILL DETERMINE WHETHER THE GAME IS PLAYED ON ITS
HOME COURT OR MUTUALLY AGREE TO PLAY THE GAME AT A
NEUTRAL SITE. IF THE OPPONENTS HAVE THE SAME DISTRICT
FINISH, THE TWO TEAMS WILL FLIP A COIN OR AGREE ON A
NEUTRAL SITE.
(A) MILEAGE RESTRICTION: FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF THE
PLAYOFFS ONLY, IF THE TWO COMPETING DISTRICTS
ARE MORE THAN 200 MILES APART, THE TWO DISTRICT
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES ARE REQUIRED TO VOTE PRIOR
TO THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON TO WAIVE THE
HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE RULE AND PLAY AT A
NEUTRAL SITE. A NEUTRAL SITE MAY BE USED ONLY IF
BOTH DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES APPROVE BY
MAJORITY VOTE.
D. Potential Fiscal Impact of the Proposed Rule to Member Schools
There should be no fiscal impact to member schools.
E. Legislative Council Consideration; Effective Date
The Standing Committee on Athletics moves that the Legislative Council pass this
amendment, to be effective August 1, 2027, if approved by the Commissioner of Education.
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Proposed Amendment to the
University Interscholastic League Constitution and Contest Rules
A. Brief Explanation of Proposed Recommendation
This amendment to Section 1220, Baseball Plan, and Section 1280, Softball Plan, would alter the
language of both baseball & softball playoff two-out-of-three series to align with the current contest-week
limitations as defined by the TEA-UIL Side-by-Side.
B. Factual and Policy Justifications
The constitutional language, previously modified to relax playoff series restrictions, has now become more
restrictive than our regular season guidelines due to the new TEA school week activity limitations. Currently, in
the Two-out-of-Three Series playoff format, the first two games can be played before Friday, but game three
must be scheduled no earlier than Friday after school hours. During the regular season, schools are permitted to
have two contests per week. This allows a school to hold a double-header, defined by TEA as one contest played
on the same date and at the same site across two different school days. Changing the current playoff series
language would allow for teams to complete a playoff series prior to Friday in alignment with the TEA postseason
allowance which gives an exception to the school week limitation. Further, this also gives school districts more
flexibility to schedule events to benefit multi-sport athletes and to work in front of possible bad weather.
C. Proposed Recommendation
Section 1220(f) and Section 1280(g) of the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules would be amended as
follows, pending approval by the Commissioner of Education:
Section 1220: BASEBALL PLAN
(f) POST SEASON PLAYOFFS.
(3) Two-out-of-Three Series. If schools play a two-out-of-three elimination series, the first
and second games may be played prior to Friday. Game three shall not be played until
Friday. If one game is played and a second game cannot be played because of weather,
then the winner of the one game advances to the next round. If two games are played
(and split) and the third game cannot be played on Saturday because of weather
conditions, the third and deciding game should be played on Monday of the next week.
Section 1280: SOFTBALL PLAN
(g) POST SEASON PLAYOFFS.
(3) Two-out-of-Three Series. If schools play a two-out-of-three elimination series, the first
and second games may be played prior to Friday. Game three shall not be played until
Friday. If one game is played and a second game cannot be played because of weather,
then the winner of the one game advances to the next round. If two games are played (and
split) and the third game cannot be played on Saturday because of weather conditions, the
third and deciding game should be played on Monday of the next week.
D. Potential Fiscal Impact of the Proposed Rule to Member Schools
There should be no fiscal impact to member schools.
E. Legislative Council Consideration; Effective Date
The Standing Committee on Athletics moves that the Legislative Council pass this amendment, to be
effective immediately, if approved by the Commissioner of Education.
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Basketball Shot Clock
Proposed University Interscholastic League Contest Pilot Program
A. Brief Explanation of Proposal
This proposal would allow for the implementation of a state adoption of NFHS Basketball Rule 2,
Section: 14 Shot Clock for UIL Basketball.
B. Factual and Policy Justifications
By state association adoption of NFHS Basketball Rule 2, Section 14: Shot Clock, member state
associations may establish a shot clock in which the team in control shall attempt a try for field goal
within 35 seconds after gaining team control. Currently, 35 other state associations have adopted the shot
clock. The rule if approved will be outlined in detail in the UIL basketball manual on the UIL website.
Three surveys have been conducted regarding the implementation of the shot clock in Texas. A
2023 survey of coaches conducted by Texas Association of Basketball Coaches resulted in over 2000
responses with 66% of all boys’ head coaches and 57% of all girls’ head coaches in favor. Both the
Spring 2025 and the Fall 2026 UIL superintendent surveys found the highest level of support from 5A &
6A superintendents, with 61% of 6A and 68% of 5A in favor.
C. Proposed Amendment
The NFHS shot clock rules will be adopted for UIL basketball with approval by the Commissioner
of Education based on the proposed implementation plan:
• No earlier than 2028-2029 – 5A & 6A
• No earlier than 2030-2031 – 3A & 4A
• No earlier than 2032-2033 – 1A & 2A
*Each stage will be monitored for the ability to adopt according to the above schedule. If adoption
appears to be problematic, UIL Staff will bring a revised adoption schedule for consideration.
D. Potential Fiscal Impact of the Proposed Rule to Member Schools
School districts would have costs for equipment, installation, as well as staffing costs of running the
shot clock at high school games.
E. Legislative Council Consideration; Effective Date
The Standing Committee on Athletics moves that the Legislative Council pass this amendment,
with the phase-in of full implementation beginning in class 6A and 5A on August 1, 2028, if approved by
the Commissioner of Education.
Proposed Timeline for Shot Clock Implementation
This proposal for the implementation of the use of a shot clock is specifically for the high
school level. The UIL sta+ does not recommend the use of a shot clock at the junior high or middle
school level in order to keep the focus on developmental play and time management rather than
timed possessions.
Current year, 2026
Pilot – Optional use of shot clock during varsity showcases and invitational tournaments with
coach agreement for all conferences
2027-2028
Pilot – Optional use of shot clock during varsity non-district contests, showcases, and invitational
tournaments with coach agreement for all conferences
2028-2029
5A & 6A – Shot clock is required
• Shot clock is required for all varsity contests, including preseason, district, invitational
tournaments, showcases, post season, and state championships
• Shot clock may be used for sub-varsity contests with coach agreement for non-district
contests and invitational tournaments, or with DEC approval for district contests
• No implementation at the junior high/middle school
1A-4A – Continue Pilot
Optional use of shot clock during varsity non-district contests, showcases, and invitational
tournaments with coach agreement
2030-2031
3A-6A – Shot Clock is Required
• Shot clock is required for all varsity contests, including preseason, district, invitational
tournaments, showcases, post season, and state championships
• Shot clock may be used for sub-varsity contests with coach agreement for non-district
contests and invitational tournaments, or with DEC approval for district contests
• No implementation at the junior high/middle school
1A-2A – Continue Pilot
Optional use of shot clock during varsity non-district contests, showcases, and invitational
tournaments with coach agreement
2032-2033
1A-6A – Shot Clock is Required
• Shot clock is required for all varsity contests, including preseason, district, invitational
tournaments, showcases, post season, and state championships
• Shot clock may be used for sub-varsity contests with coach agreement for non-district
contests and invitational tournaments, or with DEC approval for district contests
• No implementation at the junior high/middle school
Flag Football
Proposed University Interscholastic League Contest Pilot Program
A. Brief Explanation of Proposed Pilot
This proposal would authorize the development of girls flag football in concept as a pilot program to
begin no earlier than the 2028-2029 school year. This proposal gives UIL staff authority to develop the
rules and guidelines for the competition and to evaluate girls flag football as a pilot event to be presented
at the June 2027 Legislative Council Meeting.
B. Factual and Policy Justifications
Twenty-five states will have sanctioned girls flag football as of the fall of 2027. The UIL Fall 2026
Superintendent Survey resulted in 52% of 5A and 6A superintendents in favor of sanctioning, and 165
schools indicated that they currently participate in girls flag football.
Should this proposal be approved, Sections 1205(a)(2), (6), and (7) of the UIL Constitution and
Contest Rules (all student safety related) will apply to students participating in this pilot. A student who
meets the requirements of Section 400 of the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules is eligible to participate
in this pilot. The pilot will consist of a state championship event by conference with district, regional, or
other qualifying events.
C. Proposed Amendment
Girls flag football would be added as a pilot program with the establishment of no more than two
classifications with possible elective use for lower classifications to begin no earlier than the 2028-2029
school year pending approval by the Commissioner of Education.
D. Potential Fiscal Impact of the Proposed Rule to Member Schools
School districts would choose whether to participate. For those that participate, there would be costs
for equipment, as well as travel to a qualifying event(s) and to the state event for teams that qualify.
E. Legislative Council Consideration; Effective Date
The Standing Committee on Athletics moves that the Legislative Council pass this amendment, to
be effective no earlier than August 1, 2028, if approved by the Commissioner of Education.
