In order to be successful, do kids middle school and above have to play basketball in some shape or form(AAU,etc.) year round? Has baseball more or less become just a way to kill time after little league is over? Am curious to find out how kids at the smaller schools like Elliot,JBS and SV are so successful in basketball at such a young age. Do they play basketball year round? Do they participate in football or baseball? Should you choose a sport in the fifth grade and just concentrate on that sport and no other? Really want to hear comments on all of these questions. Thanks.

Its tough to play other sports and basketball in large schools with top notch programs unless you are very naturally talented athlete. I'm not saying it can't be done. Basketball is such a skill development game that it takes a lot of time to continue to develop these skills.

 

I don't think you should choose one sport or another by 5th grade as asked, maybe by 9th or 10th grade. At smaller schools or schools without great programs it is more possible to play multiple sports for the average athlete.

I think all sports are year around now. If you choose Baseball you can play year around. Kids are playing year around in basketball at all levels. Battle of Borders at Mid America this weekend started with 10u all the way through 14u.

I would agree, I think kids that are just playing one sport are probably playing it year round.

 

Course basketball is easier since you can always go indoors somewhere and play, unless you live in the south, it's more difficult to play baseball year round.

Yes I think most programs play year around. Sports for a high school athlete in general is usually year around.

Very much agree IMO! Many AAU tournament over the summer and fall!

To be successful? No.

To be THE BEST? Yes.

I believe it's at least, an 11 month program.

In order to be successful, do kids middle school and above have to play basketball in some shape or form(AAU,etc.) year round? Has baseball more or less become just a way to kill time after little league is over? Am curious to find out how kids at the smaller schools like Elliot,JBS and SV are so successful in basketball at such a young age. Do they play basketball year round? Do they participate in football or baseball? Should you choose a sport in the fifth grade and just concentrate on that sport and no other? Really want to hear comments on all of these questions. Thanks.

 

In my opinion these kids do NOT "have" to play basketball year round in some form of AAU to be successful. Unfortunately, 90% of high school coaches think year round basketball is a must. High School basketball players in KY are no better now than they were before all this AAU stuff started, some will argue that the players of twenty five years ago were better skilled than today's players. Some will even say that AAU basketball is detrimental to many players, as well as just a money racket.

 

Here's a scenario where I think year round AAU basketball can hurt. Joe is a 6'4" 9th grader. Of course he's played pivot during his Middle & Elementary days and his HS coach probably already has him pegged as his (back to the goal) center. He plays AAU year round at center with his back to the goal, never learning other skills that may enable him to face the basket and beat someone off the dribble. Next thing you know, he's a senior, he's still 6'4" and playing center. Most, and I stress most, AAU coaches are interested in one thing, winning, and it's safe to say that there's not a whole lot of skills (not normally taught) being taught during these AAU tourneys.

 

I honestly believe that skills are better developed in these younger guys at the local park where there is some tough "street ball" so to speak, being played. He will try and experiment with things he would never try in front of his coach.

 

Some will argue that if you don't have AAU that the players won't work on their games. If the coach has to MAKE him play, he's probably not going to get any better anyway.

 

It's high school sports, not a Div 1 combine from the 7th grade on. Some gifted kids may set goals that require them to play/practice year round in their favorite sport but for the most part, in my opinion 99% of the kids would do just fine practicing with their coach during the season (in any sport). That 1% will do what they need to do anyway, AAU or not.

:thumb:

I believe it's at least, an 11 month program.

For Shelby Valley its is. They play AAU as much as possible.

 

 

To be a solid ball player and get a basketball IQ with any hope of playing at the next level you need to play as much as possible.

 

This is way Belfry and a few others schools have no been as successful as they could have been, IMHO.

 

They have some size and athletes but basketball IQ is very lacking.

Its tough to play other sports and basketball in large schools with top notch programs unless you are very naturally talented athlete. I'm not saying it can't be done. Basketball is such a skill development game that it takes a lot of time to continue to develop these skills.

 

I don't think you should choose one sport or another by 5th grade as asked, maybe by 9th or 10th grade. At smaller schools or schools without great programs it is more possible to play multiple sports for the average athlete.

 

You obviously look at it differently than I do Rojas. I think where we differ the most is...Smaller schools or school without "great" programs are far more plentiful than large schools with "great" programs. I see the problem being at all these less than great programs where coaches make these kids pick a sport or play year round in the 9th grade. I honestly believe a successful HS team (whatever sport) is made up of kids that will work hard and leave it on the floor/field every night out. I just don't think AAU is responsible for those teams.

For Shelby Valley its is. They play AAU as much as possible.

 

 

To be a solid ball player and get a basketball IQ with any hope of playing at the next level you need to play as much as possible.

 

This is way Belfry and a few others schools have no been as successful as they could have been, IMHO.

 

They have some size and athletes but basketball IQ is very lacking.

 

"Basketball IQ" was very alive and well way before AAU basketball was even mentioned in KY. Most of your veteran/best coaches didn't even know what AAU was when they learned to play and coach.

I believe that they get two weeks off, how much more could you ask for?

"Basketball IQ" was very alive and well way before AAU basketball was even mentioned in KY. Most of your veteran/best coaches didn't even know what AAU was when they learned to play and coach.

 

 

Kids just played more pick-up then.

 

AAU is a way of getting them to play.