I've wondered for a while why high school coaches don't get more involved with their players over the summer. Sure they have summer work outs and there's a summer league, but IMO it prepares a team better when they are playing against not only in state players but also top players from around the country.

 

I think the biggest reason high school coaches don't get involved is because there are so many multiple sport athletes these days it would be too hard to have everyone show up all the time. Highlands is a prime example. The football players there who play basketball are doing football 9 months of the year.

 

Burnout on both coaches and players is the reason you do not see a lot of high school coaches coaching AAU.

 

 

As a person who has played AAU, coached AAU and coached high school kids get tired of the same person coaching them all the time, as a coach if you put everything you should into Oct 15th - Region Sweet 16 tourney's you are burnt out not to mention you have pretty much spent Sunday evening with your family.

 

Not to mention how corrupt you have to be to have a big time AAU program and KHSAA rules on coaching out of season.

Burnout on both coaches and players is the reason you do not see a lot of high school coaches coaching AAU.

 

 

As a person who has played AAU, coached AAU and coached high school kids get tired of the same person coaching them all the time, as a coach if you put everything you should into Oct 15th - Region Sweet 16 tourney's you are burnt out not to mention you have pretty much spent Sunday evening with your family.

 

Not to mention how corrupt you have to be to have a big time AAU program and KHSAA rules on coaching out of season.

 

I do believe there is such a thing as being burn-out. I coached high school basketball for 21 years and became burn-out and taught school for 30 years and became burn-out. I do believe that boys playing 12 months a year may also suffer from some degree of burn- out. To answer Sandman on his quote, I heard for some reason that the AAU circuit was headed for the individual high school teams and not having all star teams and was just asking if anyone else have heard the same thing and that some of the shoe companies were pulling out. This was nothing set in concrete,Just something I heard and was just asking others.

A lot of AAU stuff falls within the days before the end of school and in the dead period. Coaches cant be on the floor with kids during those times. That is why you dont see a lot of coaches involved in AAU. There are the summer school squads, and a lot of the better teams do participate in that, but I would imagine the burnout many have talked about is a factor there.

AAU is definitely changing the game, and especially the recruiting. I think the NCAA is already making some changes to try and de-emphasize AAU. I think they may limit (further) when college coaches can actually watch AAU.

 

Yes, most AAU teams are just just a bunch of talented players thrown together. I think the Shining Star squads play together pretty well as a team. Also, the Lexington ICE are a good example of a group that plays excellent team ball. (why they are state champs I guess)

 

I'll start by saying that I've not had the privledge of seeing this obviouly fine team play. Having seen several on here refer to the great "team" ball they play; I struggle with that concept when it seems two kids score 75-80% of their points?? I think of excellent team ball being played by a group with more balanced scoring, and excellent defense??

I'll start by saying that I've not had the privledge of seeing this obviouly fine team play. Having seen several on here refer to the great "team" ball they play; I struggle with that concept when it seems two kids score 75-80% of their points?? I think of excellent team ball being played by a group with more balanced scoring, and excellent defense??

 

I think Shining Stars 16U have been playing pretty good team ball. 5 kids are averaging double figures, and another is averaging 9.9.

I'll start by saying that I've not had the privledge of seeing this obviouly fine team play. Having seen several on here refer to the great "team" ball they play; I struggle with that concept when it seems two kids score 75-80% of their points?? I think of excellent team ball being played by a group with more balanced scoring, and excellent defense??

 

The ICE are a great team and play that way on the floor. Players do not complain when they don't get enough shots or score enough points. Their scoring is typically fairly balanced - you might have one big scorer but there is still balance. The number of times that 2 players have scored 75% of their points is probably limited to one game. Team play comes from passing, playing team defense, having fun and being unselfish.

 

All of this comes from finding players that fit that mold. The ICE have been criticized for not going after certain players. However, having a good time, being a good sport and playing team basketball are the keys looked for in a player (along with strong talent). The ICE have always worked on the fundamentals. Their teams have always been complimented for fundamental and team play.

 

Gym space is critical but so is finding players that are dedicated and willing to show up to practice. Players are already overcommitted and short on time. Many feel they can just show up and play. It makes it tough for coaches.

 

One other thought on coaches - there are few good coaches in the AAU ranks. There are too many parents and guys that "think" they can coach involved in AAU. That, however, falls on the players' parents to monitor and judge.

I do believe there is such a thing as being burn-out. I coached high school basketball for 21 years and became burn-out and taught school for 30 years and became burn-out. I do believe that boys playing 12 months a year may also suffer from some degree of burn- out. To answer Sandman on his quote, I heard for some reason that the AAU circuit was headed for the individual high school teams and not having all star teams and was just asking if anyone else have heard the same thing and that some of the shoe companies were pulling out. This was nothing set in concrete,Just something I heard and was just asking others.[/quote]

 

I understand you were just asking, didn't mean to imply you said it was a done deal. I simply used your post as a starting point to share my two cents, no harm intended.

 

As with most things in life, the bottom line here is money, and there's too many people making too much money for anything to change anytime soon.

One other thought on coaches - there are few good coaches in the AAU ranks. There are too many parents and guys that "think" they can coach involved in AAU. That, however, falls on the players' parents to monitor and judge.

 

While there maybe some bad coaches in AAU, there is probably just as many in high school.

While there are bad coaches in AAU, there are also some very good coaches. It is just like everything else. There are some bad high school coaches. There is bad officiating in AAU games. There is bad officiating in high school games. There are never enough good to go around.