Several rule changes will impact Tennessee high school basketball in the 2024-25 season, including penalties for flopping approved by the National Federation of High Schools during its basketball rules committee meetings in April.

By the Numbers
  • A new warning system will be in place for flopping, with a team technical foul issued after the first team warning.
  • Penalties on players faking fouls have been an NFHS and TSSAA rule for a long time but are rarely called.
Yes, But

Colleges have introduced a flop rule with the ability to review plays, which has sparked a renewed discussion about enforcing the rule at the high school level.

State of Play
  • Revised penalties for flopping and other rule changes aim to maintain player safety, fairness, and effective officiating.
  • Electronic device usage during games has been restricted to specific functions, and pregame violations have been addressed.
What's Next

Further discussions may arise regarding the implementation of monitor systems for high school basketball, especially during state tournaments, considering advancements in technology.

Bottom Line

The 2024-25 Tennessee high school basketball season will see significant rule changes, including penalties for flopping, emphasizing fairness, safety, and effective officiating for the upcoming games.