I see this said all of the time in regards to AAU but I don't know what it means. When someone says an AAU program "does things the right way" what does that mean to you? I feel like this has many different meanings to people and I feel like people throw shade at AAU programs that don't do things the way they think they should. I have all kinds of opinions on AAU and the whole structure of it and all of the different programs involved in it. At the end of the day, each family has to find a fit that is right for them and their kid. Sometimes even the kids don't know what the right fit is and the parents have to make that choice for them. Unless you are a sure shot D-1 talent your options will be limited and you'll need to be even more careful.

 

But, back to my question.

 

What does "doing things the right way" mean to you in regards to AAU?

 

For me it's simple, just be honest with me. I can take it. If my kid isn't good enough to play for a top flight program let us know before we sign the check. Personal training can go a long way with commitment and dedication. If you're honest with me then your program is doing things the right way.

 

What are some more thoughts on "doing things the right way"?

I see this said all of the time in regards to AAU but I don't know what it means. When someone says an AAU program "does things the right way" what does that mean to you? I feel like this has many different meanings to people and I feel like people throw shade at AAU programs that don't do things the way they think they should. I have all kinds of opinions on AAU and the whole structure of it and all of the different programs involved in it. At the end of the day, each family has to find a fit that is right for them and their kid. Sometimes even the kids don't know what the right fit is and the parents have to make that choice for them. Unless you are a sure shot D-1 talent your options will be limited and you'll need to be even more careful.

 

But, back to my question.

 

What does "doing things the right way" mean to you in regards to AAU?

 

For me it's simple, just be honest with me. I can take it. If my kid isn't good enough to play for a top flight program let us know before we sign the check. Personal training can go a long way with commitment and dedication. If you're honest with me then your program is doing things the right way.

 

What are some more thoughts on "doing things the right way"?

 

Ditto on all of the above. Especially aligning the kid and program needs or "fit" along with being honest in player feedback.

 

I would add one more thought that is just the nature of the beast. As a parent, especially those of elite level players (game changers) there will be many coaches that try to get in your ear basically recruiting your son to come to their team. Most of these elite kids already play for someone else or are being recruited by another program. I have always tried when recruiting kids to a team that I coached follow a rule that I consider "doing it the right way"...... Never talk bad about another program or coach, just talk about the virtues of my team or program. I try to never let the words of another team ever leave my lips. I may have had moments or lapses or I may be directly asked about another team, but I do not like to ever talk about other teams, coaches, or programs because it is not the right way to do things imo.

Ditto on all of the above. Especially aligning the kid and program needs or "fit" along with being honest in player feedback.

 

I would add one more thought that is just the nature of the beast. As a parent, especially those of elite level players (game changers) there will be many coaches that try to get in your ear basically recruiting your son to come to their team. Most of these elite kids already play for someone else or are being recruited by another program. I have always tried when recruiting kids to a team that I coached follow a rule that I consider "doing it the right way"...... Never talk bad about another program or coach, just talk about the virtues of my team or program. I try to never let the words of another team ever leave my lips. I may have had moments or lapses or I may be directly asked about another team, but I do not like to ever talk about other teams, coaches, or programs because it is not the right way to do things imo.

Man, you are awesome. :thumb:

Ditto on all of the above. Especially aligning the kid and program needs or "fit" along with being honest in player feedback.

 

I would add one more thought that is just the nature of the beast. As a parent, especially those of elite level players (game changers) there will be many coaches that try to get in your ear basically recruiting your son to come to their team. Most of these elite kids already play for someone else or are being recruited by another program. I have always tried when recruiting kids to a team that I coached follow a rule that I consider "doing it the right way"...... Never talk bad about another program or coach, just talk about the virtues of my team or program. I try to never let the words of another team ever leave my lips. I may have had moments or lapses or I may be directly asked about another team, but I do not like to ever talk about other teams, coaches, or programs because it is not the right way to do things imo.

 

I wish I could hit the like button a thousand times! Great post.

Ditto on all of the above. Especially aligning the kid and program needs or "fit" along with being honest in player feedback. I would add one more thought that is just the nature of the beast. As a parent' date=' especially those of elite level players (game changers) there will be many coaches that try to get in your ear basically recruiting your son to come to their team. Most of these elite kids already play for someone else or are being recruited by another program. I have always tried when recruiting kids to a team that I coached follow a rule that I consider "doing it the right way"...... Never talk bad about another program or coach, just talk about the virtues of my team or program. I try to never let the words of another team ever leave my lips. I may have had moments or lapses or I may be directly asked about another team, but I do not like to ever talk about other teams, coaches, or programs because it is not the right way to do things imo.[/quote'] I agree with all that. But another thing that bothers me. I know there is nothing wrong with it. I just get annoyed with other programs try to build their team with your players. One team goes after half your roster. I'm just at the middle school level and I know it's ok. But this year, I was trying to get a player on my team from Cincinnati. They were very interested as I was. But when I found out that he played for a coach that respect greatly. I cut ties. I called the coach and apologized immediately . I had no idea he was in his program. It's just not my style. I went out and watched middle school games of kids I'd never seen before. Talked to middle school coaches. I found 4 kids that were not playing. I landed two of them and still in talks for the other 2. None of the kids were playing for another team. I felt good being able to make my team better without messing with another team. The funny part, is that it is a total blessing that I backed off that kid. I found one much better than him for the same position.

Edited March 9, 201511 yr by SSSGODWIN

Doing things the right way means being loyal to your kids and not eating your own young.

 

Don't up and just drop a kid for a higher rated kid who is the hotter thing coming along. It may work sometimes, but in the long run, that kind of stuff will get you.

 

Getting into AAU coaching just seeing it as a spring board to a high school job probably means you don't have the most altruistic motives either. These are the guys you often see shopping kids and trying to broker "packages".

Doing things the right way means being loyal to your kids and not eating your own young.

 

Don't up and just drop a kid for a higher rated kid who is the hotter thing coming along. It may work sometimes, but in the long run, that kind of stuff will get you.

 

Getting into AAU coaching just seeing it as a spring board to a high school job probably means you don't have the most altruistic motives either. These are the guys you often see shopping kids and trying to broker "packages".

 

I am going to get my own self in trouble likely with this comment, but I see it cut both ways. First off it all depends on what you are trying to accomplish and if you are up front in your stated goals. Not every team is set up to accomplish the same things. In the past I had a single age group team and kept moving up with them until they got to the HS age. Each year from 5th grade on the kids and parents got the same message, the team was going to be made up of the best players that enabled the team to compete nationally with the best teams in their age group. That would mean some kids who did not develop may not advance with the team and other players may be asked to join. It was all understood up front. Same speech at the beginning and end of the seasons and the kids/parents owned their development as I did not provide that. What I learned was an old saying that sometimes you need to pull weeds for the garden to grow or another way to say it is do not water the weeds.

 

That is sort of harsh, but it all depends on the team/program you were trying to run. I was not making money off kids and kids did not pay to play. You had to earn your spot on a relatively elite national team and at younger ages you have no idea who will continue to put in the work to develop and who will basically want to stay along for the ride like they are entitled to.

Doing things the right way means being loyal to your kids and not eating your own young.

 

Don't up and just drop a kid for a higher rated kid who is the hotter thing coming along. It may work sometimes, but in the long run, that kind of stuff will get you.

 

Getting into AAU coaching just seeing it as a spring board to a high school job probably means you don't have the most altruistic motives either. These are the guys you often see shopping kids and trying to broker "packages".

 

I understand your point but I disagree. At the highest levels of AAU, teams earn shoe company sponsorships based on their talent level at the high school ages.

 

If you want to earn or keep a sponsorship, you have to have players. The kid who is really good as a 13 year old does not always turn into the best 16 year old you can find.

 

I think the best players eventually separate themselves from the pack as they age and they also realize that sometimes staying with a local team isn't the way to go in the long term.

 

Loyalty is a two way street also. Players leave programs all the time. There were a couple of kids who played 15u with Hoop Dreams 2 summers ago and didn't come back for 16u last year because they left for what they thought were greener pastures.

Doing things the right way means being loyal to your kids and not eating your own young.

 

Don't up and just drop a kid for a higher rated kid who is the hotter thing coming along. It may work sometimes, but in the long run, that kind of stuff will get you.

 

Getting into AAU coaching just seeing it as a spring board to a high school job probably means you don't have the most altruistic motives either. These are the guys you often see shopping kids and trying to broker "packages".

 

I'm also going to disagree.

 

Like stated above it depends on your goals.

 

My goals are to develop a team that attracts the best posssible people and players so that the team can maximize exposure. I want to be a team that is a destination. That means eliminating all the "weeds" while maximizing performance.

 

It is not my job to develop the kid. It is my job to put kids in position for the kid to develop themselves. I will give them the drills but they have to apply what I give them to get better. I dont want credit for the work they do. However, for those kids that are applying them selves on and off the court. It is my job to put the best players around them so that the hard working kids get exposure at the highest possible level. (It is a snow ball effect) Often times this means letting kids go because they are holding back the growth of the team. Sometimes, a parent of a kid causes problems and likewise holds back a team from growing. This sucks for the kid but as coach we have to make hard decisions.

 

Us coaches get used by parents all the time. I'm fine with that. We have short contracts with each other and hopefully both parties benefit equally. Once that benefit for ends for either party then the relationship ends.

 

Good Players, Good Team Mates and Good people always have supporting cast and a place to play.

Those are fine, and I think it's understood at the top levels of AAU that you'll be doing that. I was more talking about programs that are taking money from kids and parents as well too. Finally, while a kid leaves your program because he can't hack it, that doesn't mean you can't help them on the way out. If you are a top level AAU team, you can probably make a call or two that helps them find a better fit on a smaller level where they can play. At the same time, I hear people who are coaches saying a lot of "develop, do the best we can", but you'd probably admit it'd sting a little if you spent tons of time building and developing kids and the parents decided to bring in a coach with more qualifications than you, and that's kind of the same principle. Just playing devil's advocate with the last instance.

I fully advocate playing AAU for all kids who have any aspirations of playing college basketball.

 

In most cases, kids are playing a very high level of competition which only makes them better.

Those are fine, and I think it's understood at the top levels of AAU that you'll be doing that. I was more talking about programs that are taking money from kids and parents as well too. Finally, while a kid leaves your program because he can't hack it, that doesn't mean you can't help them on the way out. If you are a top level AAU team, you can probably make a call or two that helps them find a better fit on a smaller level where they can play. At the same time, I hear people who are coaches saying a lot of "develop, do the best we can", but you'd probably admit it'd sting a little if you spent tons of time building and developing kids and the parents decided to bring in a coach with more qualifications than you, and that's kind of the same principle. Just playing devil's advocate with the last instance.

 

I actually went out of my way to try to find a better fit for a kid this year. The parent did not like me doing it. But, I would do it again and again.

 

As far as taking money for a parent. There are some organizations that I know of that charge $1200 dollars at the lowest levels. They are actually making money as profit. But, the club I am with is not doing that. We barely have enough money to function. With that being said. My players and my team are getting a value out of each other. The players do pay. But that money is returned in some sort of value to the player. They get a return on that investment with coaching and playing games. It's a temporary partnership that should benifit both groups.

Don't disagree with any of the above. There are evils to the AAU game though and teams who don't play by the same rules as it sounds like you all are. Definitely two subsets of AAU: parents paying and teams providing. Those are two completely different classes of teams.