How much is it to play aau basketball

How Much Does It Cost to Play AAU Basketball?

The American Athletic Association (AAU) is a youth sports organization that develops youth sports and promotes physical fitness. It is competition among non-school teams. When does AAU basketball start? It runs from March to late June for elementary school players and March to July, with June off for high schoolers. But tournaments are going on throughout the year.

Enrolling your child in the program does not come cheap. Parents can expect to pay between $400 to $4,000 per summer depending on the team and club, the players’ skill, and the coach’s salary.

AAU basketball is confusing and a harsh landscape to understand. This material will help you determine if the AAU basketball program is worth it for you and your hoopster.

Players who are not older than seven can start playing AAU basketball and can compete up to 19 and under.  

It’s easier to find a boy’s basketball team closer to home than a girl’s program. Often, girls wind up playing in a boy’s team until they grow out a girl’s team or find an all-female group in another organization. AAU allows a team composed of girls and boys if there is no girl team around.

AAU has no room for beginners starting to know the basics of basketball. Players in the program have acquired the fundamentals and are playing up their skills to be better players. Before inking the registration sheet, ask yourself if your hoopster has the skill level to enter the program. Ponder on these things:

AAU is not a program for beginners. Most players have been playing basketball for a while and use the program to acquire an experience from an elite level of competition that they won’t get in their community.

You don’t want your hoopster to get discouraged at the start. Some programs teach the basics of basketball, like dribbling, shooting, and passing.

Define your goals. Will the skills be used in playing a more competitive level such as college basketball or the NBA? Most kids playing in AAU have parents who have played basketball for a long time, are currently playing, or love the sport.

Basketball is a fun sport; are you willing to invest time and effort to keep it enjoyable?

There are AAU games that require intercity or interstate travel. Traveling will bring you to unfamiliar territory; new players to compete with, new coach’s plays, and a new venue. The experience will step up your level of play from either good or bad competition.

The cost to play AAU basketball comes with a price. 

A parent or a player might ask how much it costs to play AAU basketball?   

The cost ranges from $400 to $4,000 per year. We came up with a table showing the breakdown of costs involving AAU basketball players. There might be costs that were not included; these vary by team. The $ amounts are placeholders and cannot be used as a reference in preparing a budget.

Families pay thousands of dollars for their AAU basketball player, hoping to land a college scholarship. Why is AAU basketball so expensive? AAU games require travel, and registration and coaching fees add to the program.

AAU basketball requires travel, and players have to shoulder the expenses for airfare, gas, board, and lodging. There are about eight intercity or interstate journeys per tournament. It takes about $900 to defray the costs for every tripper. Prepare the same amount if you’re a parent accompanying your hoopster.

Competition breeds success. Out-of-town sorties will bring players to unfamiliar territory upping their skill level a notch higher. Facing new opponents, new plays designed by the coach, and a new environment will give them the experience to make them better players. Without out of town sorties, hoopsters will be playing against familiar players in their locale, taking time to develop their skills.

Team fees start at $50 and go as high as thousands of dollars for elite AAU teams. Think about LeBron James from the Oakland Soldiers, Mokan Elite producing Trae Young, Illinois Warriors featuring Dwayne Wade, the likes of Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter out of Patterson New Jersey, and Derrick Rose’s Mainstreets team.

The basketball coaches in the AAU earn between $29,500 to $51,500, with top earners receiving $70,500. The pay covers only regular games; practice sessions require additional payment.

Some teams have assistant coaches; some get paid, while others do it for free.

There are two referees in AAU basketball games. The fee for each referee starts at $20-35 for youth games and $45-$150 for competitive high school games.

If you’re still trying to figure out why AAU basketball is so expensive, this post is for you.

Criticisms are part of life, and there will always be a reason to criticize. Parents, basketball coaches, and alumni criticized AAU. Even NBA great Kobe Bryant says it is not teaching the fundamentals of the game to meet the requirements of modern basketball.

This material explores some of the criticisms and the benefits of the AAU program. Hopefully, parents and players can find the answer to – is AAU basketball worth it? Or at least to understand the issues to come up with a sound decision to join or not the AAU program.

Basketball is a fun game, and not playing much or practicing takes away the fun. AAU doesn’t have practices; it’s just about scrimmages if they do. Practicing with someone improves your movements, dribbling, and shooting skills. And just playing basketball won’t make you a better player; practice makes perfect; it is the key to success.

AAU is no place for beginners; they don’t put time into the fundamentals. Look for a program that will teach your hoopster about the fundamentals of the game before joining the program.

Many AAU coaches have little or no experience teaching and working with kids or young adults. Coaching in AAU doesn’t require a certificate; a self-appointed coach gathers 10-12 players in an age group and registers in the AAU program.

If playing is your goal, you’ll have tons of it in AAU. However, it’ll be like a useless exercise, bringing your type of game from one game to the next. There is no time to learn and work on mistakes, no practice to execute plays. A player will bring his bad game to every game and tournament and can burn out.

There are basketball scouts in the bleachers that are your ticket to play college basketball. Your time on the court depends on your ability; the exposure is worth it if you’ve got a game. Some of the games kids play are huge with the best talents around.

You have to earn your playing time by lighting up the stats sheet. Points, rebounds, assists, and less turnovers are the keys to more time on the court.

AAU tournament has excellent competition. The best players are gathered, bringing in talents from other cities allowing players to advance their game. Competition is fierce. There will be tough losses, challenging games, and tough plays; players and teams must deal with adversity.

These experiences will teach your player grit, determination, and toughness that will help them later on in life

Without any scouting report, no practices, and no defensive game plan, a player is forced to react in real-time. Forcefulness makes a player physically and mentally demanding, building confidence to overcome roadblocks to be a better player.

Basketball allows the players to make new acquaintances while having fun. Traveling basketball will enable you to meet new people and experience new places that you may never have.

Learn to play as a team going after competition. You’ll be able to read your teammates’ roles, personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. Embracing your role for the team’s benefit is a valuable life lesson.

If you ask yourself, is AAU basketball worth it? This question is not for you but your player. Talk to your child; know his goals, needs, and wants. Before coming up with a decision, consider these suggestions:

• Research the coach’s experience. Talk with him about their exposure to the game, skill development ideas, and travel.
• Ask the club about the costs to avoid any surprises.
• Check the club’s website look at the record of credibility. Seek information from alumni about their experiences.  
• Inquire about the tournament schedule. The club should plan ahead of time, be well organized, and be consistent with how they do things.

Finding the right AAU basketball program will be an excellent opportunity to develop your hoopster’s skills and a rewarding experience. Ending up with the wrong one will be a terrible experience in many ways.

Why is AAU Basketball So Expensive?

Players wanting to play college basketball get exposure in AAU tournaments. But, parents have to shell out between $400 to $4,000 for their basketeer’s right to play in an AAU basketball team.

Why is AAU basketball so expensive?

Read on as we delve into the features of the AAU program and the costs that make it expensive.

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) was an offshoot of the National Association of Amateur Athletes in America (NAAAA). Disgruntled members did not like the direction of the NAAAA; they decided to establish the AAU and officially launched the organization on January 1, 1888, under the helm of William Buckingham Curtis.

AAU is mainly known for its basketball program. Before, it was involved in almost any non-professional sport in America, including the Olympics and college sport. In 1978, congress enacted the Amateur Sports Act assigning a governing body for each Olympic sport discipline, basically removing AAU’s influences over these events.

Age eligibility of players starts at 7u till 19u for boys and girls. The concept of AAU basketball is to assemble a group of players and a coach to compete in the AAU tournaments against other teams.

Everyone from the team is required to buy a membership card. The season starts around February and runs up to July, after the end of the high school basketball season.

AAU tournaments require players to travel, either interstate or intercity or both. Competing with the best teams and players will develop your skills to reach your full potential. 

Players are given the opportunity to play against top-notch competition they couldn’t find in their community. Players are forced to raise their level of play and expose their weaknesses which they can improve on.

AAU basketball has no room for beginners. If competition is introduced early, players tend to lose focus on developing their fundamentals and won’t have a fun time playing basketball. There are programs from other organizations that teach basketball basics, such as dribbling, passing, and shooting.

When skills are learned, your player can now compete and have fun putting those abilities into action. Competition is a good thing that will raise their level of play. 

As players mature and play more games against elite players, they’ll correct their flaws to improve their game and develop their basketball savvy.

If you are playing basketball but not improving your skill set, you are fortifying your weaknesses and slowing your progress in the long term.

If you have learned your fundamentals, AAU basketball will provide some of the best competition to improve your game. Building the attitude towards winning games and championships is as important as improving the skills needed to outperform opponents and win trophies.

Is AAU basketball worth it? Finding the right AAU team to improve your basketball skills provides many benefits.

Games are the best place to test the skills learned from practice and workouts and a venue to carry them out. AAU basketball will allow you to challenge your skills against a ton of great competition. Since the tournament requires travel, you’ll compete against amateur basketball players better than those in your community.

AAU offers varying levels of competition, and your team should be able to find the proper tournament that will challenge your skills but not overwhelm them

Practice games are not the same as playing against coaches and players trying their best to defeat you.

AAU basketball is highly competitive; you have to earn playing time to be on the court. Learn to light up the stats sheet in points, rebounds, and assists with fewer turnovers.

The experience is an excellent lesson that kids will carry on in life when adults compete for jobs, promotions, relationships, and achievements. The AAU spirit will make you earn what you want and not be handed on a silver platter.

You’ll come across teams and players better than you. There will be many disappointments along the way, like tough losses, tongue lashing from your coach and teammates, and challenging games.

Don’t let your emotions get the best of you. Learn from your mistakes and improve on them to be a better player.

Develop toughness, determination, and resilience; these are essential tools to help you overcome humps and bumps in your life’s journey.

A single player cannot win a basketball game but through a team’s effort. There are co-players better than you, and you have to support them without any complaints.

Overcome your ego and place your team’s sake over yours. Follow your coach’s instructions and hit it off with your teammates. Learning to be a good teammate and knowing your role is vital in a competitive environment.

Preparation is not intricate compared to college or pro basketball. There are no elaborate game plans to follow; it’s all about the basic offensive and defensive plays. However, kids have to learn to think on their feet and adjust to situations on the court.

Your instinct and skills as a basketball player determine your actions on the court. It is essential to practice and work on your fundamentals so that your reactions to situations on the court will be sound.

AAU allows high school players to play college basketball. College coaches are constantly scouting recruits to beef up their team.

AAU basketball games are a venue to showcase your skills against the best players from rival teams. Often, the level of competition in AAU tournaments is higher than in high school games. The standard of competition is raised, making players who want to make it to the next level look good.

Basketball is a fun game if stakeholders are on the same page. Remember that basketball is a game, and games are designed to be fun no matter who you play with.

Parents should not focus on their child’s stats and team performance. Once your basketeer becomes interested, success will follow later.

Enrolling in the AAU basketball program is easy, but playing games is very competitive.  

Players and teams will meet players from other AAU programs that are better than them. Every player and team will have to deal with adversity that comes with challenging games and tough losses. The successful ones overcome the obstacles and improve their game to become better players.

AAU players love the sport, and they will play more, study their game, and improve on them. They are more physically gifted than the typical players. Their fundamentals in basketball are sound, and the player’s focus is developing their skills on leadership, dedication, persistence, and individual abilities.

That said, competing with these people will lead to more focused and intense matches. The learning experience teaches great lessons encouraging players to play hard, play smart, and work together.

To improve your basketball game, you have to play with the best players. AAU boy basketball teams gather the top players to compete against each other while learning teamwork with players that are good or better than themselves.

If you’re asking, how much does AAU basketball cost? Depending on the competition level, you’ll need to shell out $400 to $4000. The amount is used to defray expenses for registration and membership fees, out-of-town travel, uniform, coach’s salary, gym rental, etc.

We prepared this table to give you an insight into the items breakdown and the costs to enroll in an AAU basketball program. The table is merely an example, there might be other expenses not mentioned, and dollar values are placeholders.

Item	Amount
AAU membership (Youth)	$14
AAU club registration (Level 1)	$3 ($30 per team split among 11 players per team)
AAU insurance: Club Athletes	$3 ($30 per team split among 11 players per team $16
Out of town trips	$900 per trip
Tournament fee	$44 per tournament
AAU team	$ 1,386
Coach	$5 ($25. 47 x 2 hours per game, the amount is split among 11 players per team
TOTAL	$ 2,371

The amount is based on one out of town game, it takes about five interstate or intercity travel per tournament. If you want to know more about the other costs involved in joining AAU, check out this guide.

The average cost of AAU basketball is about $4,000; it can go higher or lower depending on your joined team. Parents and players invest time and money, and the investment pays off if your player receives scholarship dollars.

Before you ink the registration form, ponder these expenses with your player to know the amount of money you’ll need to enroll in an AAU program.

AAU is travel basketball. Players shoulder expenses for out-of-town sorties, which cost $800 to $900 every trip, and the number of trips depends on the team you are enrolled in. The cost covers gas, airfare, and board and lodging.

Competing with teams from out of town will raise your basketeer’s level of play than engaging with players in your locale.

The AAU membership runs from September 1 to August 31. The fee for a youth athlete is $14, and a non-athlete is $16.

Youth teams are required to register to compete in AAU events.

Clubs must pay $30, athletes and non-athletes have to shoulder $16 per individual.

There is an inherent danger in any sports undertaking, whether an athlete or non-athlete. The AAU insurance program protects athletes while competing, coaches while instructing, event workers while working, and spectators while watching.

The tournament fee starts at $475 and can go as high as thousands of dollars, depending on the type of competition level. The cost is split among the 11 players in a team about $44 per player per tournament.

Expenses per team vary; the breakdown is merely an example of the costs of joining an AAU team.

The average pay for coaches is $25.47 an hour for regular games and a different rate during practice and out-of-town sorties.

Parents and players have to be careful when picking their coach; it is as essential as selecting your club. A coach who relies on the top players deems the rest of the players as subs; the subs may not be able to show their wares to college coaches and basketball agents. Time spent on the bench will get you nowhere, but time on the floor will earn you a college scholarship.

Many teams take in players to fill their roster, be sure that you’re not that player.

Many basketball players’ goal is to enroll in an AAU program and land a college scholarship for a free college education. But the opportunity to play at the next level comes with a price tag. The average cost of AAU basketball is $4,000, which can go higher or lower depending on your joined team.

The amount will cover airfare, gasoline, board and lodging, registration fee, coach’s salary, gym rental, and more.

The key to success is your basketball savvy, the team, and the coach.

Being good in your game is not enough to achieve your dream. Many teams take in players to fill their roster. Coaches rely on their top players and consider the rest as subs, and the subs have limited time to show their wares. Don’t be this type of player.

Look for a team where you’ll have fun, be competitive, gives playing time, and have a coach that doesn’t rely on top players only.

We hope you enjoyed this post! If you did, be sure to check out our other basketball FAQ articles here.

Basketball for children - what is useful, at what age to play

Basketball is one of the most popular sports games. Basketball for children is considered one of the early sports, because kids can enroll for the first lessons from the age of 3. But the most important advantage of basketball is its accessibility.

Sections for children are available in schools and neighborhood clubs, and classes are often free. And if you are not ready to give the child to the section, just buy him a ring and a ball and hang it on your site and the kid will already be busy in sports, which means he will get the maximum benefit for development.

Benefits of basketball for children, what qualities it develops

Before sending a child to a section, parents should know how basketball is useful for children and what qualities it develops.

First of all, like any team sport, basketball develops social skills. Working in a team, children learn to help each other, care about common interests and work for the good of the team.

Moreover, this basketball is an excellent emotional release. It helps the guys throw out negative energy and get positive emotions. Along with this, character is tempered during classes, and the child learns to go towards the goal, sacrificing his own desires and needs.

Basketball also helps to get rid of complexes. This is especially true for tall girls who are noticeably taller than their peers. In a team where all players are taller than average, the girls no longer feel like a black sheep, but gain self-confidence and begin to be proud of their height.

The influence of playing basketball on the physical development of a child

The influence of playing basketball on the physical development of a child is also strong. First of all, the guys involved in this sport develop endurance, and all muscle groups are strengthened. Basketball practice - these are jumping, running, swinging arms, tilts and squats, which allow you to develop all muscle groups and strengthen the heart and blood vessels.

In addition to the general health benefits, basketball will also help prevent the development of certain diseases that result from an inactive lifestyle.

What's more, basketball develops:

• Overview of vision. Due to the fact that the player must constantly keep an eye on the ball and other players, the field of view is improved. Children learn to manage peripheral vision and train their eyes;
• Reaction speed. Often during a match, an athlete must make lightning-fast decisions on which the outcome of the game depends. This helps children learn to respond quickly to emergency situations;
• Mindfulness. Through intense play, attention and memory develop, which not only has a beneficial effect on the playground, but also in studies and everyday life.

Given these facts, the question of what basketball gives a child can be answered that classes will strengthen physical, mental and mental health. That is why basketball is often recommended to children suffering from reduced attention and weak immunity. But not all children can benefit from basketball, you can find out what kind of sport is suitable for a child here.

Does playing basketball make children grow

It is often said that basketball makes children grow, but is it really so? Recent studies have shown that yes, indeed, he can help the baby grow up, but is not able to grow a giant out of him.

The increase in height is due to the straightening of the spine, which is stretched during jumps. Also, a slight increase in growth contributes to the strengthening of the muscles of the back and legs.

But to say that basketball can significantly affect the growth of an athlete is wrong, there is no scientific justification for this.

The fact that in the sections all children are really tall is explained simply - short children simply leave this sport, because they cannot compete with tall athletes, as a result they move on to other sports, for example, volleyball, where they need both tall and undersized athletes.

At what age can a child play basketball

For preschool children, basketball is available from 3 years of age. Often this game is played in physical education classes in kindergarten. Of course, such a crumb will not be taken to the section, but at this age the child can already be introduced to the ball and the net.

Professional basketball training for children starts at the age of 5-6 years. At this age, you can enroll in a section at the sports palace, both boys and girls are accepted. The first 4-5 years the guys work out together, and only at the age of 10 the coach forms the men's and women's teams.

Basketball for beginners is more about general physical training and familiarity with the ball. In the first years of training, the coach pays special attention to the development of endurance, so most of the training takes place in the fresh air.

In the gym, the guys learn different techniques and combinations, and also learn how to hit the basket. According to statistics, it is in their youth that children are more likely to encounter injuries in basketball. This is due to not yet developed coordination and lack of skills in programming movements.

That is why sports insurance for basketball at this age is a necessity, because it will reimburse the costs of treatment and provide the young athlete with high-quality rehabilitation, which will prevent the occurrence of fatigue injuries and chronic injuries in the future.

Age characteristics of children in basketball

Age characteristics of children in basketball are a fundamental factor in drawing up a schedule and training plan.

Consider how the load of basketball players changes with age:

• 3-5 years. At this age, kids still do not know how to memorize the rules of the game and listen to the coach. All classes are held in a playful way and are aimed at developing coordination of movements and mindfulness;
• 5-7 years old. During this period, special attention is paid to the physical development and increasing the flexibility of the child. The goal of the trainer is to maximize endurance and strengthen all muscle groups. Also at this stage, children begin to learn the rules of basketball and learn various tactical and dynamic techniques;
• 7-9 years old. This is the age at which real training starts. At the age of 8, children can already participate in competitions. Now all their work is aimed at the result of the whole team. During these years, the main task of the coach is to teach the guys to interact with each other;
• 10-12 years old. At this age, men's and women's teams are formed. Now the team is becoming a real family with common goals and objectives. Most often, it is at this age that the first victories occur;
• 12-14 years old. At this age, children learn to program their movements. This is a very important stage for every basketball player, because the final result of the maneuver depends on it. At this time, the main task of the coach is to hone the movements of each player to the ideal;
• 14-16 years old. This is the time to master tactical thinking. The brain of a teenager is already ready to solve tactical problems and make quick decisions. At this moment, the coach already sees which of the guys can become a real champion;
• 16-18 years old. This is the age when a teenager must show all the acquired skills. Strong players are formed into teams to participate in important competitions. At this time, the start in a sports career begins, because the guys already have sports categories and can participate in adult competitions.

If you want to grow a real champion out of a child, a section at a school or a sports palace is a good place to start. Later, by the age of 7, the basketball section for children should be focused specifically on professional activities. Such a section can be found in any city, because this sport is very popular. You can choose a section closer to home in our catalog of sports schools and sections.

Basketball is one of the sports for children, which has a minimum of contraindications and a maximum of benefits. Classes on the playground and in the gym can be the best hobby for a child, because during the game the guys learn true friendship. Moreover, basketball for children will also help parents in raising a teenager, because the child will grow up in a healthy company and he simply will not have time for nonsense.

where to study, salary, pros and cons

Author: Professional Guide

Updated by October 15, 2022

Basketball player is a professional basketball player. Such a team game is popular, first of all, in the USA. In Russia, it is somewhat inferior to football and hockey, but still quite in demand. By the way, the ProfGid career guidance center has recently developed an accurate career guidance test that will tell you which professions suit you, give an opinion about your personality type and intelligence.

See also:

Brief description: what is a basketball player?

The basic rules of basketball are usually known to everyone: two teams enter the field, the one with the most points wins. Points are given for hitting the ball into a basket hanging at a height of 3.05 meters from the floor. The number of points that is counted for each hit depends on the distance from which the throw was made. In the process of moving around the field, players must dribble the ball, beating it off the floor, and not hold it in their hands.

Features of the profession

A professional sports career requires a lot of energy, effort, time and dedication. A basketball player must always be in good shape, his salary and popularity largely depend on the performance of his performance on the field, and he must work closely with other team members. The main duties of a basketball player are as follows:

• Daily attendance at training.
• Compliance with the regime of the day and nutrition.
• Participation in matches.
• Participation in non-match events of the club.
• Regular medical examination, following the recommendations of the doctor and trainer.

A basketball player must be prepared for the fact that he will periodically have to change the clubs for which he plays, participate in international competitions from his country, and even during the match, cooperate with different groups of players (frequent substitutions are very common in this game).

Pros and cons of the basketball profession

Pros

1. Prestigious profession with a decent salary.
2. Opportunity to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
3. Opportunity to travel, communicate with representatives of different countries and peoples.
4. The joy of victories and the support of fans.

See also:

Cons

1. The need for talent or extensive experience to gain recognition and sign expensive contracts.
2. Negative emotions from defeats.
3. Occupational diseases (herniated disc, knee problems, Schlatter's disease).
4. Age restrictions on career length.

Important Personal Qualities

In order to successfully fill a basketball position and be successful in this field, an athlete must be in very good physical condition, must not have serious chronic diseases, must have excellent stamina, concentration, movement speed and reactions, perfect coordination. Most often, very tall athletes become successful basketball players. Analytical thinking, the ability to follow the strategy developed by the coach, make decisions quickly, and work together with the rest of the team will also not interfere.

Training for a basketball player

Universities and colleges in Russia do not offer training for a basketball player as such. You can learn how to play basketball in sports schools, and then improve your skills in basketball clubs. In parallel, you can get a sports education (including to successfully work as a coach after completing a career in big-time sports). In this context, the specialty "Physical Education" in colleges (code 49.02.01) or the same name in universities (code 49.03.01). A certificate is sufficient for admission to a secondary school, in addition to it, the results of the Unified State Examination in the Russian language, biology and physics are required for admission to the university.

Courses

Stremlenie Basketball Club

It is necessary to think about where to get the profession of a basketball player, if you have the appropriate inclinations, from childhood. Therefore, most basketball schools offer training for children and teenagers. One of these schools is the Stremlenie basketball club, where individual and team trainings are held. Members of the club also take part in competitions.

The best universities for basketball players

1. MSPU
2. RGSU
3. MGOU
4. RGUFKSMiT
5. RGUFK them. P.F. Lesgafta
6. RSPU im. A.I. Herzen

Read also:

Place of work

Basketball players play for basketball clubs, national teams. At the end of their careers, they work as coaches (both in adult clubs and in children's sports schools).

Salary of a basketball player

The level of income of such an athlete directly depends on his talent, experience, professionalism and fame. The more useful a basketball player can bring to the club, the higher the salary will be offered to him.

Basketball player salary for October 2022

Salary information provided by hh.ru portal.

Russia 100000-250000₽

Career growth

Building a career for a professional athlete is about improving your skills and getting more and more lucrative offers from clubs.

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