Are you a ambitious and hungry basketball player who wants to play for an AAU basketball team program?  Are you the parents of a player who wants more? 

We got you… read on and soak this up!

The BasketballTrainer.com Insider’s Guide will tell you how to get on an AAU team and challenge yourself with the best players in your area and beyond so you can accelerate your learning curve and become battle tested.  

Read this article now!

What is AAU Basketball?

AAU Basketball is a form of competitive youth basketball. AAU stands for Amateur Athletic Union which has many sports programs. . AAU basketball is typically played in the from April and as long as August now with Spring and Summer Seasons or sometimes one long combined one. Unlike the traditional high school season. AAU teams are often made up of athletes from different schools who come together to compete at tournaments. They are often recruited and this process has caused a great deal of controversy, but that is for another post.   

Players must try out for an AAU team and if selected, they will compete in tournaments with other AAU teams, select and travel teams from around the country. Tournaments are typically held on weekends, and games are played back-to-back.  Some games begin on Friday, and I am personally not a fan of taking your kid out of math class to travel to a tournament, but it is happening. 

The goal of AAU basketball is to provide young athletes with these weekend tournaments and an opportunity to develop their skills and compete against others at a similar level. The AAU was founded in 1888 as the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States of America. The organization is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Play AAU basketball for the chance to gain exposure to college coaches.

AAU basketball is a way for young athletes to gain exposure to college coaches and scouts, who may be in attendance at AAU tournaments.

The benefits of playing AAU basketball

• AAU basketball is a great way to get better at the game and improve your skills if you can secure a spot on the right team. It also provides opportunities to meet new people and play against top competition. Here are some of the benefits of playing AAU basketball.  
• You need to determine if skill development is or is not a focus so you find the right fit.  
• You’ll improve your skills by playing against tougher competition on the right tournament schedules.
• You’ll have the opportunity to meet new people at AAU events all over the country.
• You’ll get exposure to college coaches and scouts.
• You’ll learn how to compete at a high level.
• You’ll develop discipline and commitment.

How to try out for an AAU team

AAU basketball is very competitive. If you want to play on an AAU team, you will need to try out. The tryouts are usually held in the spring. Here is what you need to do to try out for AAU basketball programs.  

Determine Fit For You

Some of these steps can be done before tryouts.   They are important.   Do the work.  Check their website, their social media, and talk to anyone you can that has played for this club.  You have a limited amount of time and you cannot afford to spend the wrong year with the wrong fit for you.

• Make sure the mission statement of the select club matches up with the values you seek in a club. And make sure their execution lives up to their mission statement.
• Can a coach or program trainer lead and demonstrate on player development? You need to have a good idea how little time will be spent expanding your skills as individual players.
• All team websites use terms like “fundamentals of the game” but what percentages of practices focus on that? Can you see a sample practice agenda?
• Do team practices emphasize skill development?
• Does the head coach talk about team play but really has one Kobe Bryant wannabee jacking fifty percent of shots?
• Will the team roster offer better competition than you high school basketball team?
• What is the single most important thing to you this in this club basketball season?
• What is the skill level of the team and is it a good fit? The best competition team with good coaching that has you playing out of position that college coaches see you at may not be the best fit.
• Does the AAU website offer any advice on the AAU Basketball clubs you are looking at?
• Do the girls AAU basketball teams have female coaches or advisors?
• What relationships does the program director have with college teams and coaches?
• How competitive do you want your tournaments to be? Are they future professional basketball players at competitive tournaments? Can you hang at the highest level or will you be exposed…. rather than gaining exposure.
• What are tournament fees? All the extra fees like hotels, van rides, entertainment, and travel can add up for the flyest AAU team. ? Consider what that money might do in terms of basketball training sessions in the summer season.
• How will the extra time commitment affect grades? Siblings? Social balance?
• What do former players and participants of all ages say about how the hard work and spending so much time improved their game?
• How long does the AAU season last for the club and how does that affect family vacations?
• Has the coaching staff passed a background check you can see? Coaches of a team sport and a select team should have a clean criminal background check.
• Who are some of their AAU basketball alumni and have they received a college scholarship and offers?
• Are their practice locations reasonable or does that affect overall travel expenses due to rising gas costs?
• Next Steps:  The Actual Tryouts

First, find out when the tryouts are being held. You can do this by searching online or asking around at your local basketball court. Once you have the date and time of the tryouts, make sure you show up early. It is important to be one of the first players there, as it shows that you are serious about making the team.

When tryouts begin, the coaches will put all of the players through a series of drills. They will be looking for a number of things, including speed, agility, shooting ability and ball handling skills. After the drills, the coaches will cut down the number of players who try out. This is when you should put your best effort into making a good impression. After the first round of cuts, it’s important to keep practicing and improving your skills. This can help you make the second round of cuts, which is usually when the coach will start to use two or three players together. This is a good chance to show that you can play well with others.

Making the AAU Basketball team: what to expect

Anyone who has aspirations of playing college basketball first has to make an AAU team. These teams are put together by youth organizations and coaches in order to give the players the opportunity to compete against the best talent in their age group, usually on a regional or national level. The process of making an AAU team can be daunting, but here is what you can expect once you make the team.

Tournament play The AAU teams are expected to play at least eight tournaments per year. These tournaments will be held throughout the year, and they will take place on weekends.

During tournament play, it is expected that you will attend practices before the tournament begins and after it ends. This is because the coaches will want to make sure you are prepared for the upcoming tournament, and they will want to get the team ready for their next game.

Preparing for Different Coaching Styles

I believe that the best coaches in the world are those who can coach any position. This is because they know every aspect of the game, and they also know how to coach every player differently. They can see where their players needs to improve and how they can achieve it.

Along with the best coaches are the best players, those who consistently push themselves and those around them to become better by training harder and learning from others. These are your teammates, but also your competition for the ball. There is one ball and approx 12 players on each team. All have their own agenda and it usually involves the ball.

AAU Basketball: The Road to Getting Noticed

With the AAU basketball season in full swing, many young players are eager to get noticed by college scouts. But what’s the best way to get on an AAU team?

First and foremost, it’s important to have a good attitude and be coachable. You also need to be a team player – AAU basketball is all about team play. Finally, you need to have some skills. While you don’t need to be the next LeBron James, you should at least be able to hold your own on the court.

If you can show that you have these qualities, then you’ll be well on your way to getting noticed by college scouts and making an AAU team.

Filming Your AAU Basketball Games

As the popularity of AAU basketball continues to grow, so does the number of people wanting to film the games. While it may seem like a simple process, there are a few things you need to do in order to ensure you get quality footage.

First, you’ll need to get permission from the team’s coach or administrator. This is important because they need to sign off on any outside filming that will be taking place. Once you have this permission, you can begin setting up your equipment.

It’s important to make sure you have a stable tripod or other support for your camera. This will help prevent any shaky footage. You’ll also want to make sure you’re zoomed in enough so that you can see all the action on the court.

Finally, remember to be respectful of the players,, referees and coaches while you’re filming.

My strongest recommendation is that parents pool some $ with other players families and pay a conscientious teen who is injured or perhaps a younger sibling to film this.  The newer Iphones are plenty of camera for the task! Have them upload to Google Drive and give access to everyone.  They can post it on their youtube channels and also use it to make highlight reels.  College coaches want a 3 minute highlight reel, plus mutliple game tapes showing your skills, attitude and effort.

Making Highlight Reels from AAU Basketball Games

As the popularity of AAU basketball continues to grow, more and more players are looking to get on AAU teams. While there are many ways to get on an AAU team, one of the best ways is to create a highlight reel.

Creating a highlight reel is a great way to show off your skills and get noticed by AAU coaches. Here are a few tips on how to create a great highlight reel:

1. Choose your best highlights: When choosing highlights for your reel, be sure to pick your very best ones. The clips that you choose should showcase your skills and abilities as a basketball player.

2. Make it concise: A good highlight reel should be around 2-3 minutes long. Any longer than that and you risk losing the attention of the viewer.

3. Make it entertaining but not distracting. If you’re just showing your highlights, then why would someone watch? Make sure you categorize clips by how you can add value. Know your strengths and sell them.

Contacting College Coaches For AAU Basketball Tournaments

Contacting college coaches for AAU basketball tournaments can be a daunting task, but it’s one that can pay off in the long run. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Do your research: There are hundreds of AAU tournaments taking place each year, so it’s important to do your homework and find the right one for your team. Make sure to check out the tournament’s website and see if there are any college coaches listed as attending. Coaches can more easily come to AAU members tournaments than they can attend the games of your high school teams.

2 The AAU structure more closely resembles the speed and athleticism of the college game and your ability to innovate whether it be girls basketball or at the middle school level is critical to demonstrate that you can beat the shot clock present in college when the offense fails. While your HS coach may demand you slow the pace down and reset, this is a great opportunity to innovate and be more aggressive.

3. Get in touch with the coach: Once you’ve found a tournament that looks promising, reach out to the coach and let them know you’re interested in participating. Be sure to include your AAU club teams contact information and schedule.

4. Follow up: After you’ve sent your initial email or call, be sure to follow up with the coach periodically leading up to the tournament.

Looking to pursue a career in college basketball? Well, you’re in luck! There are a multitude of opportunities waiting for you at every level of the game. Here’s a breakdown of the different levels of college basketball and the number of opportunities available at each:

Contact the coaches of the colleges you are interested in and share your AAU Basketball Tournament making sure to share any changes that occur including injuries that will prevent you from playing.

Courtesy NCAA.org

Conclusion

In conclusion,following these steps should help you get on an AAU team. First, find a team that is the right fit for you and your skills. Next, reach out to the coach and express your interest in joining the team. Be sure to attend open gyms and tryouts. Finally, be persistent and don’t give up if you don’t make the team right away. Keep working hard and eventually you will find a spot on a team.