The writer is the former Bishop Gibbons boys varsity basketball head coach.
What are AAU basketball and elite summer camps doing for and to the game? I was somewhat reluctant to write about this subject because I know, like big business is to our economy, many of the individuals associated with AAU programs and basketball camps are only about making money and making a name.
Unfortunately, the people who support these programs (i.e. parents, grandparents and in some cases, friends) are often misled. They feel that attending camps and playing AAU will increase an athlete’s opportunity to win a college scholarship. In some cases, it can be argued that camps and AAU will help some athletes who are already endowed with exceptional skill, but in most cases for the average athlete, it’s just not so.
What I’ve seen with most AAU programs is that they have a few exceptional players on a team surrounded by a few more good players, then several more average players.
Here is a common scenario: Two or three exceptionally talented players will get an opportunity to play on the college level; the others will finish playing high school ball and then continue playing at some level in college but not on the actual school team. A few will try to walk on to their college teams but they will not have what it takes to make the team. After it’s all said and done, the student who wants to continue playing will end up playing intramurals.
(Please note that I believe that intramurals in college is a great opportunity to continue enjoying the game. My only purpose in going through this long litany is to encourage potential AAU athletes and anyone paying the bill to reassess the costs and the payoffs.)
No longer is AAU just for the high school athlete. AAU now is open to kids as young as the fifth grade, usually as young as age 10. In fact, some kids will be playing in programs at even a younger age because they are the `exceptional` players.
The price of playing AAU can be very costly. Consider, at a minimum, paying to play AAU for just a summer at these prices: about $40 a tournament per player, about $20 for a hotel room (based on about 4-to-a room for a one-night stay), $120 for gas, and food for the weekend at approximately $25 ($5 breakfast, $10 lunch, $10 dinner). I don’t think you need to be a math expert to figure out that it can cost in excess of $250 a weekend just for one athlete to play, and remember that this is just for one AAU outing.
These figures don’t include the cost to a parent who might travel and stay the weekend to watch his son or daughter play. Many parents also travel with other siblings, which creates all kinds of additional expenses. How can the average family with a modest income afford this year after year?
How many contests does and AAU team go to each summer? Well if I took a guess, I’d say, at a minimum, four tournaments per summer. Once again, let’s do the math. It looks like $1,000 a summer.
Some will certainly argue with me about the figures, but I believe that for those programs without sponsors, this approximate figure is what participants are facing. By the way, I didn’t list the fee some team charge for uniforms and other incidentals.
Now what are you getting for your money, and will it payoff in the long run? Some will say `Time will tell,` but for many parents, they can judge for themselves. Evaluate your kid and be realistic about whether he or she is going to play at the `next` level.
How do you evaluate? Look at the kids your sons or daughters play with and the kids they play against when they go to each competition. You can gauge the level of your kids’ skills by how well they do against the best teams, and how consistent they are from week to week. You might want to reconsider whether you really want to shell out that kind of money when you honestly don’t believe your kid is a top-tier player.
But what if he or she is? Let’s say that you have made the assessment and determined that your kid is indeed skilled and belongs in an AAU program because he or she is a `top tier` player. Then what?
These talented kids are the ones who benefit the most from AAU programs. Let’s say for the sake of this argument that you think your kid is doing pretty well and you don’t mind spending the money. I suggest you give serious thought to the following questions:
What does the AAU program you’re involved in offer that will make your kid a better player? Are there weekly practices? How long are the practices? Are the coaches knowledgeable about skills training and what are their credentials? You wouldn’t want a person offering improper training and skills which could lead to poor habits and maybe even conflict with the training their high school coaches will emphasize.
Don’t assume every person that offers an AAU program knows what he or she is doing. Some people are great team coaches, but lack the knowledge and ability to teach individual skills. When you pay for AAU, you not only want the experience of team play, but you also want your son or daughter to have some individual time to work on skills, which is really what you should be paying for in the first place. Again, it is important to determine if the coach is capable of teaching those skills. The ideal program should have a time for team practice and sessions for individual skill development.
I also believe in both the AAU coaches and the high school coaches working together for the good of the athletes. If both are truly trying to do what’s best for the athletes, then they shouldn’t have a problem working together, identifying the strengths and the weaknesses of the athlete. If both work together, then the athlete will truly benefit, and he or she will have the best chance to succeed.
Now, that is a great deal of work by everyone and maybe a little idealistic, but I believe it presents the best possible scenario for success, if handled properly.
For a basketball player or any other kid involved in sports, the summer is a very important time to work on skill development, and it doesn’t always have to include AAU. Personally, I would rather the athlete get a summer workout program from his or her coach, or maybe even a trainer who is familiar with the sport of choice. The athlete should commit him or herself to the workout program and measure results weekly. If the athlete is dedicated to this, there would be some very noticeable and positive results.
All that it would cost parents and the athlete is time and effort. Parents would spend no more than it costs to join the YMCA or a similar gym with all the apparatuses needed for a workout outlined by the coach, trainer, etc.
For example, several young men whom I coached dedicated themselves to the concept I just mentioned. They worked out everyday and played some AAU, but never at levels played today ` not until they were ready. While it might have been a coincidence, they all ended up playing NCAA Division 1 basketball and had what most would consider good college careers. I must not forget another important fact: they were all pretty good high school students to boot.
You don’t have to pay for your son or daughter to play, and they don’t have to play all over the country to have opportunities to playing at the next level. They do, however, have to want it and work at their game on their own. I once worked with a young man who never played AAU and never went to a basketball camp. He would work on some part of his game everyday and played as often as possible. He’d go to the parks that had the best competition. Whenever possible, he found himself at the local Y. He turned out to be a very good player in spite of not spending a cent to play other than what he paid for his Y membership.
If your child must play AAU, then I would have her or him play on a team that is competitive and also stresses the fun of the game. I wouldn’t spend a great deal money, nor would I want to go too far to play. Boston, New Jersey, Washington D.C., Atlanta, etc. are possible places for tournaments, but too far way and unnecessary. Why not ask, `Will playing in those faraway venues help my child get better, or will it make him or her tired and frustrated?` Remember that they could play locally and get the same benefits.
I once knew a `local` team that epitomized a successful `local` AAU team perfectly. The team was comprised of local players – almost all were from the same neighborhood (a real AAU concept). This team would practice several times a week and played amongst themselves at the local Y or in a park when they weren’t practicing. They were, for the most part, friends on and off the court. They liked being around each other, and it showed when they played. They laughed most of the time and really didn’t get `crazy` when they lost. However, they didn’t lose too much.
From my standpoint, they were successful because they worked hard, they liked each other and the coaches were committed to the welfare and well-being of the kids. Their parents also played a major role in the success of the team. They showed up to support their kids, but never to put down another kid. These kids were fun to watch. I had to laugh sometimes watching them beat some teams that, on paper, outmatched them; but when the other team got on the court, they never knew what hit them.
So now, you’re probably asking yourself, `What about those camps you mentioned somewhere in the heading of this article?` Okay, let’s take a look at camps. While I’m mostly referencing basketball camps, I believe the same thoughts can easily apply to other sports camps.
Camps are good for some things, but not for the majority of the reasons parents send their kids to them. They provide structure and competition on a daily basis, usually lasting a week. Most camps today run for no more than three days or so at a cost of anywhere from $150 to $200. There are some overnight camps that charge a little more and last a little longer.
Camps can be put in different categories and should be. There are the beginner camps that teach the fundamentals to a younger group of campers or campers with little skills. These camps are less competitive during the week. I classify these sports camps as `teaching camps,` and depending on the quality and expertise of their personnel, these types of camps are worth attending.
Then there are those camps that are geared toward the older, more accomplished players. While there is still some basic instruction offered at these camps, they have more competitive games during the week and usually attract some college coaches. Many of these camps have college assistants and high school coaches as counselors. These counselors are usually knowledgeable and are always willing to help with individual skills. While some camps can’t allow college coaches to attend, the assistants usually act as scouts for their respective colleges.
All camps, no matter the level, should make it a fun experience. Readiness is a good common-sense consideration when deciding on sports camps. Avoid sending a kid to the so-called `elite camps` if he or she is not ready for that high level of competition. If the camper isn’t really ready, he or she could experience disappointment and lose confidence in his or her game.
I’m not sure how much all that has been written in this article pertains to those parents or players presently involved in AAU or camps. I hope it will give some insight that might not have been there before and help in making some crucial decisions that will save time, money and, for some, frustration.
This article is not meant to cover every situation, nor should it be used to take the place of good parental common sense. I hope all who would consider making changes in the present way they approach AAU basketball and summer camps would consider every possible scenario applicable to their on circumstances before making that all-so-important decision to participate at whatever level and at whatever cost.
Remember, just as you would with the stock market, research, research and then research some more. Be very critical in your evaluation, and if you are too close to the situation and you can’t be truly unbiased, then seek advice from someone you trust.
The bottom line: AAU, as well as sports camps, should be an enjoyable experience for all. If not, something is not right. Good luck.“
