Picking an AAU Program

I get asked all the time should my son/daughter play AAU basketball? Or I get the comment, my son is going to play AAU basketball this year. Their are a number of programs sprouting up all across America. I receive an email from 4 or 5 programs in my area near Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. How do you pick the right experience for your young player. Here are my thoughts after over 22 years of coaching basketball and basketball skill development at all levels from Kindergarten to seniors in college.

There are five criteria that I believe every parent should have for getting the right program for your youngster.

First criteria is what is the mission of the AAU program you are looking at. How is the program structured? Where are the practices? How many practices per week? I would look for a program where development is the primary purpose of the program. I would like to see a developmental program and a AAU program. Not everyone should be playing AAU basketball .

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