How many games should a young player play? Some AAU and travel teams play almost every weekend, sometimes four or five games in a weekend. This guide covers what a typical season looks like and what the NBA and USA Basketball youth guidelines recommend by age.
Quick answer: Many AAU teams play 6 to 12 tournaments a season, often with 3 to 5 games each. The NBA and USA Basketball youth guidelines recommend 1 game a week for ages 7 to 8, 1 to 2 for ages 9 to 11, 2 for ages 12 to 14 and 2 to 3 in high school, with at least 1 to 2 rest days a week. More practices and fewer games usually means more development.
Key Takeaways
- Many AAU teams play 6 to 12 tournaments a season
- Most tournaments guarantee 3 or 4 games
- NBA and USA Basketball recommend 1 to 3 games a week depending on age
- Players need at least 1 to 2 rest days a week
- Wait until at least age 14 to specialize in basketball
How many games are in an AAU season?
It depends on the club. Many teams enter 6 to 12 tournaments in a season, and most tournaments guarantee 3 or 4 games: pool play on Saturday and bracket play on Sunday. That adds up to somewhere between 20 and 60 games. See the AAU season calendar.
How many games and practices are right at each age?
| Age | Games a week | Practices a week | Max organized hours a week | Rest days a week | Max months a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 to 8 | 1 | 1 (30 to 60 min) | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| 9 to 11 | 1 to 2 | 2 (45 to 75 min) | 5 | 2 | 5 |
| 12 to 14 | 2 | 2 to 4 (60 to 90 min) | 10 | 1 | 7 |
| High school | 2 to 3 | 3 to 4 (90 to 120 min) | 14 | 1 | 9 to 10 |
Source: NBA and USA Basketball youth guidelines. The guidelines also urge caution with more than one game a day, especially on back-to-back days.
Are more games better?
Not by themselves. Players build skills in practice, where coaches can teach and players get hundreds of touches. A team that plays every weekend but rarely practices is not building much. Ask any club how many practices it holds for each tournament it plays.
How do we avoid burnout?
- Build in rest days every week, and time off between seasons.
- Play other sports, especially before age 14.
- Watch for signs like lingering soreness, dread before games or lost interest.
- Keep it fun. See how to keep young players from burning out.
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.
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
How many games are in an AAU basketball season?
It varies by club. Many teams play 6 to 12 tournaments a season with about 3 to 5 games each, so a season can mean 20 to 60 games.
How many games a week should a youth basketball player play?
The NBA and USA Basketball youth guidelines recommend 1 game a week for ages 7 to 8, 1 to 2 for ages 9 to 11, 2 for ages 12 to 14 and 2 to 3 in high school.
How many games are in an AAU tournament?
Most tournaments guarantee 3 or 4 games, with pool play on Saturday and bracket games on Sunday.
How many hours a week should a young basketball player train?
The NBA and USA Basketball guidelines suggest no more than 3 organized hours a week at ages 7 to 8, 5 at ages 9 to 11, 10 at ages 12 to 14 and 14 in high school.
Is it bad to play multiple games in one day?
The NBA and USA Basketball guidelines urge caution with more than one game a day, especially on back-to-back days, because of fatigue and injury risk.
Should young players play only basketball?
The NBA and USA Basketball guidelines recommend playing multiple sports and waiting until at least age 14 to specialize in basketball.
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.
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