The Amateur Athletic Union is an organization that gives young athletes a chance to participate in a variety of sports. One of those sports is basketball. Young people who play AAU basketball have the opportunity to travel and play against top players from other regions. Players who succeed at AAU tryouts demonstrate talent in shooting, ball-handling, rebounding and show a willingness to work and practice according to the coach's requests.
Tryout Invitation
Under most circumstances, players receive invitations to play on AAU youth basketball teams. The AAU organizes boys and girls teams and many of the players on these teams go on to play high school and college basketball. AAU representatives find worthy candidates by attending youth games and talking to coaches. Tryouts for AAU teams are scheduled in advance and players will often know at least one week in advance before the tryouts take place.
Skills Assessments
AAU tryouts are similar to tryouts for high school or other organized teams. Players will be asked to demonstrate their skills in dribbling, shooting, passing, rebounding and playing defense. In addition to the skills assessments, players will be asked to scrimmage against other candidates. Most of the candidates who play for AAU teams make a strong showing at the scrimmage and often earn an invitation to play travel basketball with one of the teams.
Levels of Play
In many urban areas, the AAU will select three teams for both boys and girls. The best 12 players will play on the A team, the next 12 players will compete on the B teams and the last group of players will play for the C level teams. Teams will compete in individual games as well as AAU sponsored tournaments. AAU teams have professional coaching staffs -- not parent volunteers -- to teach youngsters the finer points of the game.
Standards
Many AAU basketball teams hold players to high behavioral and educational standards. Before the player is selected, he must sign a statement saying he will attend practice regularly and that AAU basketball will be a priority for the athlete. Additionally, AAU players must keep up a high level of performance in the classroom and not get in trouble off the court.
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