Just curious what is so important about kids playing AAU? My son plays in a rec league where several kids play that also play for AAU teams. Don't most AAU teams travel to tourneys? Playing for a rec team your still playing against kids who play AAU so you have tough competion and you don't have to worry about traveling all over.

Depends on how good your kid is. If you think they can play college basketball, they should play AAU no later than 13u (7th grade). The level of competition AAU provides will improve your kid more than rec league.

Depends on how good your kid is. If you think they can play college basketball, they should play AAU no later than 13u (7th grade). The level of competition AAU provides will improve your kid more than rec league.

 

The rec league he plays in most of the kids play AAU. So he is basically playings the same competition.

The rec league he plays in most of the kids play AAU. So he is basically playings the same competition.

What rec league is he playing in?

Depends on how good your kid is. If you think they can play college basketball, they should play AAU no later than 13u (7th grade). The level of competition AAU provides will improve your kid more than rec league.

 

I don't think my son can play college ball he is only 9.

I don't think my son can play college ball he is only 9.

 

At that age your right not a tremendous difference

What rec league is he playing in?

 

Sports of all Sorts.

At that age your right not a tremendous difference

 

 

He is only 9 but plays in 11 and under.

He is only 9 but plays in 11 and under.

 

That's the best way to get him better play him up

That's the best way to get him better play him up

 

I know that but I don't want him to get frustrated going up against older bigger kids. Next year he should have a really good year. Once some of the older kids have to move up.

I don't think my son can play college ball he is only 9.

 

Maybe include that in your question next time.

I know that but I don't want him to get frustrated going up against older bigger kids. Next year he should have a really good year. Once some of the older kids have to move up.

 

At his age it's not a big deal or difference. Sports of all Sorts AAU could be compared to Rec.

As they get older real AAU teams are tournament teams and typically play in leagues due to conflicts in schedule.

At his age it's not a big deal or difference. Sports of all Sorts AAU could be compared to Rec. As they get older real AAU teams are tournament teams and typically play in leagues due to conflicts in schedule.

Believe it or not it really is a huge difference. SOAS your son only gets 1 hr of practice per week. Last year both 9U Divisions were won by 8U AAU kids. I think this year there is another team of 8U 2nd grade AAU kids also beating everyone. However, that same team has been beat every time by another AAU team that doesn't play at SOAS. But that being said. Your son has plenty of time to grow and develop. Get him with the right group and his game will grow leaps and bounds. And to top it off your cost/game will go way down. You'll spend twice as much and get four times as many games and about five hours of practice/week.

Skills and drills.....

I agree with SSS... Big difference. Rec vs. AAU at SOAS, maybe not a huge difference. But, you take that same rec team and put them in an actual "AAU" or select team tournament, and it's a big difference in competition (usually). With that said, AAU is merely a term that is thrown around by most people who are referring to "select" teams. AAU is an organization that sanctions there events, ranks their teams, provides insurance, etc. The "AAU" at Soas is not actually sanctioned by the AAU (last i had been told), it's just a term used to say that it's for more select teams. With that said, usually teams in the AAU league at Soas, are usually more competitive all around.

 

As example, I know of 3rd and 4th grade teams in NKY that play at Soas and dominate... Put them at the state tournaments for the first time, and they struggle.

 

Just my experience. Also agree with more practice time, and usually more invested people.