Thanks a million for the response qryche11. Seems like you all are doing things the correct way and I applaud that!

 

Like I said before, I am not a basher of AAU basketball, not in the least. I just like things to be done the right way when it comes to kids! That doesn't always happen I know and I guess I shouldn't expect it to. However, I think we can all strive for that!

Thanks a million for the response qryche11. Seems like you all are doing things the correct way and I applaud that!

 

Like I said before, I am not a basher of AAU basketball, not in the least. I just like things to be done the right way when it comes to kids! That doesn't always happen I know and I guess I shouldn't expect it to. However, I think we can all strive for that!

 

 

No offense tubbycat, but those who disagree with your opinion don't feel that their way is the wrong way. Most parents do the right thing for their kids everyday. Trust me if my son didn't want to play AAU we wouldn't. It's alot of time and money and I'm sure we could find other avenues for the time and money.

 

Please don't assume that your way is the right way.

What is the cutoff birth date for kids playing down? Ex.. When must an 8th grader be born by in order to be able to play 7th grade AAU?

What is the cutoff birth date for kids playing down? Ex.. When must an 8th grader be born by in order to be able to play 7th grade AAU?

 

September 1, 1994 I think. Check the age calculator on the aau website. http://www.aauboysbasketball.org

I see. Is it common for 8th graders to play down, or any age level to play down?

I see. Is it common for 8th graders to play down, or any age level to play down?

 

Not common, but It's kind of the same thing as a grade exception, except the kid qualifies for 2 divisions while being in a grade ahead of where he should be.

Who is playing this weekend at BCI?

Who is playing this weekend at BCI?

The Omega All-Stars.....:D

I do not think my way is the right way or only way and I am fully aware that most parents do what they think is best for their kids. However, there are parents out there that force their kids to participate in certain things and sports and we all know they exist!

 

To me this is not about who is right or wrong, it is a discussion of AAU basketball and what it is and can be!

I do not think my way is the right way or only way and I am fully aware that most parents do what they think is best for their kids. However, there are parents out there that force their kids to participate in certain things and sports and we all know they exist!

 

To me this is not about who is right or wrong, it is a discussion of AAU basketball and what it is and can be!

 

 

AAU is what it is... It was not created to make school teams better. It was created to develop individual players. I copied and pasted the Mission and Vision Statements directly from their site.

 

 

Mission Statement

 

To offer amateur sports programs through a volunteer base for all people to have the physical, mental, and moral development of amateur athletes and to promote good sportsmanship and good citizenship.

 

Vision Statement

 

To offer amateur athletes and volunteers opportunities to develop to their highest level through a national and local network of sporting events. Through participation in AAU, we achieve our dreams as athletes and as valued citizens of our communities.

 

Sports for All, Forever

Well, trust me on this my man:

That mission statement is not being met by all persons involved in AAU basketball. I have seen some evil (for lack of a better word) people involved in AAU basketball and baseball. The statement that says they promote good sportsmanship and good citizenship is truly not always seen or achieved.

 

I don't remember saying that AAU was for the team. I said that AAU can be a very good thing. It also can be a detriment to certain HS coaches and programs because of the tension caused with some AAU coaches as they feel they are more the coach than they are. AAU is BIG business, but it isn't as great as some of you want to make it out to be and isn't as liked by as many coaches across the nation as you think. All coaches want their players to improve and become better, but there are ways to do that and the right way is not always being used. This is not just a KY issue, trust me.

 

Most have missed the entire point so I am moving on from this topic!@#~$%^

Well, trust me on this my man:

That mission statement is not being met by all persons involved in AAU basketball. I have seen some evil (for lack of a better word) people involved in AAU basketball and baseball. The statement that says they promote good sportsmanship and good citizenship is truly not always seen or achieved.

 

I don't remember saying that AAU was for the team. I said that AAU can be a very good thing. It also can be a detriment to certain HS coaches and programs because of the tension caused with some AAU coaches as they feel they are more the coach than they are. AAU is BIG business, but it isn't as great as some of you want to make it out to be and isn't as liked by as many coaches across the nation as you think. All coaches want their players to improve and become better, but there are ways to do that and the right way is not always being used. This is not just a KY issue, trust me.

 

Most have missed the entire point so I am moving on from this topic!@#~$%^

 

My last comment on this issue will be: AAU basketball provides the stage for atheletes to enhance their abilities by playing against tough competition in a faster paced game. You do not get the same level of competition at the middle school level that you do at the AAU level.

 

While I'm sure there are some coaches out there who don't like AAU, there are just as many who do. I don't feel that I've missed on any of your points. AAU basketball isn't perfect, what organization is? However, it is the best training ground for athletes wanting to play at the high school level and possibly beyond.

We are using AAU to get our school team kids better and we are accomplishing what we set out as they are better players than they would have been if they were simply playing grade school / middle school ball. I am sure I could push my son to individually get better and have him tryout for exceptional AAU teams across the state wiht hopes that he would land on one and hopefully see the floor 75% of the game. However, we choose to do it differently. To each his own.

Great posts and all very good points. I believe you guys did what I wanted done, proved my points by your comments that you posted. THANKS for that!

I think AAU is can be used to develope player(s) and teams. It is the most highly competitive form of youth basketball there is. There are other forms of youth basketball that aren't as competitive. We use AAU to develope our team, down the road, for high school and also to develope our kids by playing agaist the top compitition. It truely is what it is! We play together but some of our kids branch off at national tourney time to a DI team to develope their game, which I have no problem with. Is AAU perfect? NO! Is it the best medium for devoping players and teams, YES! It isn't going to change, they have had huge success for many years so you have to adjust, or find another youth organization to play in. It is physical, there are a FEW bad people in it, and older kids will be playing in every division.... but all of that just makes you stronger and better. There is no child playing within the rules that will not be playing in that particular grade in high school because of age.... the only exception is the kid who started early to school and can play down a grade because they are so young that they meet the age requirement (not exception requirement) to play in that division. Learn to use the rules to your advantage and AAU will be a wonderful experience for you and your child....remember it's about competition... not winning... and competition only makes you better, which should be your ultimate goal.