
AAU basketball, short for Amateur Athletic Union basketball, is a term used to refer to youth club basketball or competitive basketball. The AAU, a non-profit organization, has been promoting and developing amateur sports in the United States since 1888. AAU basketball tournaments are held across the country, with thousands of teams spread over 56 districts. The length of quarters in AAU basketball varies depending on the grade of the players. For instance, grades 1 through 3 play six-minute quarters, grades 4 through 6 play seven-minute quarters, and grades 7 through 12 play eight-minute quarters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What does AAU stand for? | Amateur Athletic Union |
| What does AAU basketball refer to? | Youth "club basketball", ""competitive basketball", or ""travel basketball" |
| Who is AAU basketball for? | Youth athletes ranging from second to 12th grade |
| How many members does AAU have? | Nearly 700,000 to 800,000 members |
| How many sports programs are there? | 41 to 50+ |
| How long are the quarters? | 12-16 minutes, depending on age group |
| How much does it cost? | $100-$700 per team per tournament; $20 or $22 annually for membership |
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What You'll Learn

Quarter length varies by grade
The length of quarters in AAU basketball varies depending on the grade of the players involved. AAU basketball refers to youth basketball leagues and tournaments organized by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and developing amateur sports in the United States.
For grades 1 through 3, the quarters are six minutes long. Grades 4 through 6 play with seven-minute quarters. Finally, for grades 7 through 12, the quarters are eight minutes long. This applies to both boys and girls AAU basketball, which has been a part of the organization since 1923.
The AAU provides a platform for young athletes to develop their skills and compete against others of a similar ability. The organization offers a range of tournaments and competitions, catering to different age groups and skill levels. While some tournaments are focused on younger age groups, others cater to players in their late teens.
The AAU also organizes national championships, which tend to have slightly longer quarter lengths. For the national AAU girls' basketball championships, those in seventh grade and above play 16-minute quarters, while younger age groups play 12-14 minute quarters. These tournaments provide an opportunity for players to showcase their skills and compete at a higher level.
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Overtime quarters
AAU basketball refers to the youth basketball leagues and tournaments organized by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and developing amateur sports in the United States. AAU basketball tournaments are held throughout the country, with most taking place from March to October, outside the high school season. The AAU also organizes several national AAU basketball tournaments, catering to various age groups, from 7 & Under to late teens.
Similarly, in US Amateur Basketball tournaments for middle and high school grades (7-12), the overtime period is also 2 minutes long. In the event of a double overtime, the first team to score wins. Timeouts are awarded under NHSF rules (3 full timeouts and 2 thirty-second timeouts).
It's important to note that the rules for overtime quarters may differ slightly across various AAU basketball tournaments and organizations. Therefore, it is essential to refer to the specific rules and regulations of the particular tournament or organizing body.
While the duration of the quarters in AAU basketball may vary, the focus on player development, competition, and sportsmanship remains consistent across the various tournaments and age groups. AAU basketball provides young athletes with the opportunity to develop their skills, compete against similarly skilled opponents, and learn the values of teamwork and sportsmanship.
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AAU girls' basketball nationals
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is a non-profit organisation with nearly 800,000 members that organises youth basketball leagues and tournaments in the United States. AAU girls' basketball nationals at various grade levels tend to occur in and around July. The AAU also organises a significant number of basketball nationals, with age ranges starting from the 7 & Under category and going up to players in their late teens. The AAU girls' basketball tournaments provide exposure and competition that can help young athletes achieve their college basketball dreams. AAU girls' basketball is one of the organisation's most popular sports, with numerous age groups of players ranging from second to 12th grade.
The AAU was founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in amateur sports and played a key role in selecting American athletes for the Olympics. After the Amateur Sports Act of 1978, the AAU shifted its focus to providing sports programs for participants of all ages, with an emphasis on youth sports. AAU basketball tournaments are held across the country, with most taking place from March to October, outside of the high school season, and focusing on April to July. This timing allows college coaches to scout and recruit players.
The AAU girls' basketball nationals are a significant event that draws teams from across the country. The elementary and middle school AAU basketball season starts in March and lasts through late June, while the high school season runs from March to July, with a break in June. The AAU basketball season generally focuses on weekend tournaments, with teams playing around 3-5 games on Saturdays and Sundays.
AAU girls' basketball provides an opportunity for young athletes to develop physically, mentally, and character-wise, while also learning good sportsmanship and citizenship. The tournaments offer challenging environments with quality learning opportunities without being overwhelming. The AAU's mission is to provide sports programs accessible to all participants, regardless of their skill level, and to promote amateur sports and physical fitness.
Starting an AAU girls' basketball team is a straightforward process. To start an AAU organisation team, individuals need to follow the instructions on the AAU basketball website. To establish a competitive travel basketball team, one needs to gather 8-10 players, a coach, choose a team name, purchase uniforms, and enter a tournament.
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AAU basketball season
The AAU, or Amateur Athletic Union, is a non-profit organization that promotes and develops amateur sports in the United States. It has been in existence since 1888 and originally played a role in selecting athletes for the Olympics. Today, it offers a wide range of sports programs, with AAU basketball being one of its most popular offerings.
The AAU basketball season typically runs from March to October, outside of the high school season, with a focus on April to July. This timing allows college coaches to scout and recruit players during their off-season. The AAU basketball season is comprised mainly of weekend tournaments, with teams playing around 3-5 games on Saturdays and Sundays. The cost per team per tournament usually ranges from $100 to $700.
The AAU basketball season is open to athletes of various skill levels and age groups, starting from second grade up to late teens. The younger age groups, from grades 1 to 6, play with a smaller ball and have shorter quarters of 6 to 7 minutes, while the older age groups, from grades 7 to 12, use a standard men's size ball and play 8-minute quarters.
AAU girls' basketball is an integral part of the AAU, with thousands of teams spread across 56 districts. Girls' basketball has been a part of the AAU since 1923, and it offers a chance for girls and young women to develop athletically and learn valuable skills that can be applied both on and off the court.
Overall, the AAU basketball season provides a great opportunity for athletes of all levels to compete, develop their skills, and showcase their talents to college coaches and recruiters.
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AAU basketball rankings
AAU basketball refers to the youth basketball leagues and tournaments organized by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of amateur sports in the United States. The AAU was founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in amateur sports, and today, its membership is nearly three-quarters of a million strong, with AAU basketball being one of its most famous sports offerings.
AAU basketball tournaments take place across the country from March to October, with a focus on April to July. The AAU organizes a significant number of AAU basketball nationals, catering to various age groups, from 7 & Under to late teens.
While AAU basketball players tend not to be ranked, rankings of top high school players can be helpful as many of them also play on AAU basketball squads. For AAU basketball rankings, the best sources are often the individual districts' official websites. For example, Indiana provides team rankings for different age groups, along with AAU basketball schedules. Additionally, the national office offers details on its national championship events.
The AAU basketball season for elementary and middle school students starts in March and lasts through late June, while the high school season runs from March to July, with a break in June. The season primarily focuses on weekend tournaments, with teams playing around 3-5 games on Saturdays and Sundays.
Several websites provide AAU basketball team rankings, such as "AAU-Rankings.com," which offers regional and statewide rankings for boys' teams. Prep Hoops is another source for national team standings, updating their rankings each week of the AAU season for 17U teams.
AAU basketball is known for its accessibility, allowing players of all skill levels to find squads that fit their abilities. However, securing a spot on the top teams requires exceptional talent and a high level of competition. The cost of participation in AAU basketball tournaments typically ranges from $100 to $700 per team.
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Frequently asked questions
For grades 1 through 3, the quarters are 6 minutes long. Grades 4 through 6 play with 7-minute quarters.
Grades 7 through 12 play with 8-minute quarters.
Quarter lengths at the national AAU basketball championships are 16 minutes for those in seventh grade and above. For younger age groups, they last 12-14 minutes.











































