tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038796146239392494.post5270519249421122533..comments2024-01-30T07:56:42.814-05:00Comments on Ballin' is a Habit: AAU Basketball: About the money, not the kidsTroy Machirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566402816544978732noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038796146239392494.post-61577537332094865952013-05-31T15:25:49.705-04:002013-05-31T15:25:49.705-04:00We had our first experience with a high school fee...We had our first experience with a high school feeder team and an AAU team over the last 6 months. The fees were $325 and $595, not to mention having to pay as a spectator to watch 10-year-olds play. <br /><br />It is definitely a money maker and a turnoff. Practices focused on learning plays 90% of the time. What about skill building? No one at 10-years-old is so skilled that they no longer need to practice. <br /><br />Additionally, I saw favoritism by the coaches. Play the kids who score regardless if they are shooting the ball correctly (again...no skill building). Just score and win so that the particular AAU program can get the recognition.<br /><br />At the high school level I can see how the intensity of competition should exist, but not young kids. I don't think we will go back any time soon. <br /><br />Keep looking parents, there are other programs out there that focus on skill building as opposed to the money and the win.<br /><br />Show me the skills.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038796146239392494.post-60153113830301305182013-03-21T12:58:32.442-04:002013-03-21T12:58:32.442-04:00There's an AAU team in CT and they are chargin...There's an AAU team in CT and they are charging $1000 for their spring league and some of the kids are playing on low level team competeing against each other...it's ridiculous charge that much knowing the kids aren't going to get any kind of exposure.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038796146239392494.post-18044084066960683662013-03-03T12:59:19.473-05:002013-03-03T12:59:19.473-05:00I have my son/daughter play AAU basketball and mos...I have my son/daughter play AAU basketball and most of the tournaments are the main source of income for the organizers all in the name of kids. Parents should recognize that money should be well spent on skill development rather than going from tournament to tournament spending money in this tight economy.<br /><br />In my area, one AAU club advertised about forming a team for Kindergarten. This is ridiculous<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038796146239392494.post-13523570259607021872012-12-04T15:16:16.845-05:002012-12-04T15:16:16.845-05:00$400. is about the norm. I know of some over $60...$400. is about the norm. I know of some over $600, which is a little steep.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038796146239392494.post-64552700930137806632012-04-01T08:59:59.960-04:002012-04-01T08:59:59.960-04:00Well I will say I have a kid in an ohio aau progra...Well I will say I have a kid in an ohio aau program and his spring fees alone were $450. Yea, I thought that was a lot...but I paid itAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038796146239392494.post-59662284200358599202012-02-05T09:38:39.306-05:002012-02-05T09:38:39.306-05:00I agree with anonymous, AAU basketball is a good t...I agree with anonymous, AAU basketball is a good thing that has been used for bad. What industry did not start out with passion and a love for the art/ sport and then money is involved and it causes the unrighteous to be exposed!Ure subconscioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10032599075064492173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038796146239392494.post-29928473927160171762010-04-07T23:37:05.869-04:002010-04-07T23:37:05.869-04:00I do not know the level of AAU to the degree of th...I do not know the level of AAU to the degree of the author, but I do know that parents do want their kids to succeed, that's why they coach and get involved. I think AAU is about "some" kids, others its perhaps just a business. Some of these programs just want their programs to be associated with kids that make it to make their program to appear to be stronger. Is it all about money? I really don't think its that much money to be made when you have 9 kids and their parents are only paying about $150 to play spring and summer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7038796146239392494.post-6761448706169374112009-06-30T22:18:27.885-04:002009-06-30T22:18:27.885-04:00I also think there's an element of prestige th...I also think there's an element of prestige that coaches seek when deciding to jump into the elite AAU space. Having surnames like Calipari, Pitino, and Krzyzewski appear on your caller ID to inquire about one of your players, must be a draw as well.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11239695367619697712noreply@blogger.com