AAU membership should be purchased by the parent/guardian to ensure that their child has a valid AAU membership
Get to know the Coach
The AAU does not select coaches for your athlete or place athletes on a team or club. It is the -responsibility of the parent/guardian to do this.
Ask for resume of coaching history & local references on the coach
Spend time with the coach/club director before you make your decision
Talk to the coach about their philosophy on playing time, skill development, club structure
Know & Understand what You are Paying For
Ask the club for a breakdown of what the club fees are paying for
Hold them accountable for the line items listed on the budget
Find out how much the tournament/event fees are for your team/athlete
Research Club's History
How many years has it been in existence?
How is the record of credibility and reliability?
Do they have a positive history in different areas?
AAU does not have any authority over club tryouts, how athletes are selected to participate on a club/team, how athletes are placed on a club/team, or playing time. Please discuss individually with the coach their intentions for your athlete and make sure it fits what your goals are for your athlete.
Very Important
Every club is its own separate entity
They DO NOT have the right to speak for the AAU National Headquarters
No club (whether it is a registered club within the AAU) is an agent and/or an employee of the AAU.
Research the Club's Schedule
Are they organized and consistent with how they do things?
Do they plan ahead of time?
Are all expenses listed and told to parents/guardians up front?
Are they responsible with how they manage club finances, tournament/event schedule, practice plans, etc?
Proof of INSURANCE
Verify status of Club's AAU Club Code
Verify Coaches and Club Director's AAU Membership
All non athlete memberships and adult athletes go through a background check through our membership process.
Ask for a copy of your athlete’s membership card if the club/coach purchased it for you.
AAU Membership vs. Cost of Team/League
Clubs set up their own fees, schedules, rules/regulations, etc
AAU Insurance is ONLY $14.00 or $16.00 and should be purchased by the parent to ensure that their child has a valid AAU membership
Every club is its own separate entity and each club may have a different price structure based on what they are providing your athlete. It is important to ask as many questions as possible to ensure the club you are looking at is the right one for your athlete
Extended Benefit Coverage applies to NON AAU events
Positive Coaching Alliance
The Positive Coaching Alliance Course is mandatory for coaches to take but we cannot enforce coaches to utilize the best practices they learn from taking the course.
This course is free to coaches that are members of the AAU.
We encourage parents to take this course so that they may learn what a positive coach should be doing.
Understand that this course is to show best practices; it is encouraged and recommended to be part of the club culture. It is not mandatory that coaches use these procedures.