AAU and club basketball tryouts can feel like a big deal for a young player. They do not have to be. This guide covers when AAU tryouts happen, what coaches look for, what a tryout looks like, what to bring and what to do if your player does not make the team.
Quick answer: Most AAU and club basketball tryouts happen in the spring (about February to April) and the fall (about August to October). A tryout usually runs 60 to 90 minutes and includes warm-ups, skill drills and scrimmages. Coaches look for effort, coachability and fundamentals, not just scoring. Many clubs will also evaluate a player at a team practice when a team has an open spot.
Key Takeaways
- Most AAU tryouts are in the spring and fall
- A tryout usually runs 60 to 90 minutes: drills, then scrimmages
- Coaches value effort and coachability over scoring
- Bring clean shoes, water and any forms
- Not making a team is a starting point, not the end
When are AAU basketball tryouts?
Most clubs hold tryouts twice a year. Spring tryouts (about February to April) set rosters for the spring and summer, which is the main AAU season. Fall tryouts (about August to October) set rosters for fall and winter. Many clubs also evaluate new players at a team practice whenever a team has an open spot. See when AAU basketball starts for the full calendar.
What happens at an AAU basketball tryout?
Most tryouts run 60 to 90 minutes and follow the same pattern: check-in, a warm-up, skill stations (ball handling, layups, shooting, passing and defense), then 3-on-3 or 5-on-5 scrimmages. Coaches usually tell families when and how they will share results.
What do coaches look for at AAU tryouts?
| What coaches watch | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Effort | Sprinting back on defense, diving for loose balls, never walking |
| Coachability | Listening, making the correction on the next rep, eye contact |
| Fundamentals | Stance, footwork, passing on target, using both hands |
| Basketball IQ | Making the extra pass, spacing, knowing where to be |
| Attitude | Encouraging teammates, bouncing back after a mistake |
How should my player prepare for AAU tryouts?
- Find the tryout date and sign up early. Spots can fill. Most clubs post dates by grade on their website.
- Practice the basics for a few weeks. Ball handling with both hands, layups from both sides, form shooting and defensive slides.
- Sleep, eat and hydrate. A good night's sleep and a light meal 2 to 3 hours before matters more than a last-minute workout.
- Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early. Check in, find the court and warm up.
- Compete and communicate. Talk on defense, hustle on every play and cheer for teammates.
For workouts, see basketball workouts to prepare for tryouts and how to prepare your player for tryouts.
What should my player bring to an AAU tryout?
- Basketball shoes (clean, not worn outside)
- Shorts and a t-shirt, or the shirt the club asks for
- A full water bottle
- A ball, if the club allows it for warm-ups
- Any forms the club needs signed
What if my player does not make the team?
It happens to almost every player at some point. Ask the coach for one or two things to work on, make a plan, and keep playing. Skills programs like clinics and camps are a good next step, and many players make a team the next season or join when a spot opens.
Where does PSB fit?
Where Pro Skills Basketball fits
Pro Skills Basketball (PSB) runs boys and girls club teams, often called AAU or travel teams, for grades 1 to 11 in 27 U.S. cities. PSB is one of 18 organizations in the Jr. NBA Flagship Network and a USA Basketball Official Youth Organization.
PSB teams practice 2 to 3 times a week with trained, background-checked coaches. Players join through spring tryouts, fall tryouts, or an evaluation at a team practice when a team has an open spot.
Each city page lists its open tryouts and evaluations by grade.
More AAU guides for parents: What is AAU basketball? · How much AAU costs · What age to start · AAU vs club vs school vs rec · How to choose a team
Frequently Asked Questions
When are AAU basketball tryouts?
Most clubs hold tryouts in the spring (about February to April) and the fall (about August to October). Many also evaluate players at practice when a team has an open spot.
What happens at an AAU basketball tryout?
Most tryouts run 60 to 90 minutes: warm-ups, skill drills like ball handling, shooting and layups, then scrimmages so coaches can see players compete.
What do coaches look for at AAU tryouts?
Effort, coachability, fundamentals, basketball IQ and attitude. Scoring a lot matters less than playing hard and listening.
What should my player bring to an AAU tryout?
Clean basketball shoes, shorts and a t-shirt, a water bottle and any forms the club needs.
Do AAU tryouts cost money?
Many do. Tryout fees are common and usually cover gym time and staff. Ask the club before you sign up.
What if my player does not make the AAU team?
Ask the coach what to work on, keep training, and look at other teams or skills programs. Many players make a team the next season or join when a spot opens.
How do I find AAU basketball tryouts near me?
Search for club or AAU teams in your city and check their tryout dates by grade. Sign up early, because some tryouts fill.
Sources
By Brendan Winters, Co-Founder
Brendan co-founded Pro Skills Basketball in 2009. At Davidson College he was a two-time All-American and Southern Conference Player of the Year. He then played five pro seasons in France, Germany, Hungary and Greece.
AAU Basketball for Girls: A Parent’s Guide (2026)