Guide
AAU Basketball Tryouts: What the Rules Say and What Families Need to Know
AAU clubs set their own tryout schedules and roster sizes — the AAU's published rules govern age and grade eligibility, membership requirements, and coach background checks, but the AAU does not publish a standard tryout process that clubs must follow.
Updated Sep 29, 2026
AAU clubs run their own tryouts
The AAU is a membership organization. Individual clubs form and then hold tryouts on their own schedule. The AAU's FAQ says to contact clubs directly about "age groups, tryouts, etc." The AAU does not publish a required tryout format, a required roster size, or a required selection process. What happens at any specific tryout depends on that club.
How to find a club holding tryouts
The AAU runs an online "Find a Club" tool. According to the AAU's FAQ, using that tool requires a membership ID, so your child would need to join the AAU before searching. The FAQ also suggests asking a school coach, searching online, or checking local community boards.
What age and grade rules determine eligibility
AAU eligibility for the 2026-to-2027 season is based on both age and grade. For that season, May 1 is the date used to determine a player's state of residence. Age cutoffs are measured against August 31, 2027. The AAU publishes division-by-division age and grade rules on its eligibility page. If your child is on the edge of a division, read those rules carefully before tryouts, because a mistake in division placement affects whether they can compete at AAU championships.
Every participant must have a current AAU membership
The AAU states that all participants — athletes and non-athletes alike — must be current AAU members to participate in AAU licensed events. That includes anyone on the bench. Membership is not automatic; it has to be purchased. The AAU does not offer a prorated membership.
Coach background checks are required — and take time
Starting in 2025, the AAU partnered with the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) for coach background screening. Coaches must consent to a two-step process before their membership is approved. The AAU's club membership guidance says the background check can take up to 10 business days. The AAU advises clubs to register coaches well in advance of tryouts. Whether a specific coach you encounter has cleared that process is something the sources do not tell you how to verify independently.
What the sources do not answer
The AAU's published materials do not say how many players a club may roster, what clubs may charge for tryouts or participation, or how college coaches interact with AAU events. The sources also do not address how AAU play affects high-school eligibility under your state's athletic association rules — that is a separate set of rules the sources here do not cover.
What this page is based on
Every rule stated above was read from one of these documents, not from memory. Open them and check us.
- AAU FAQs
AAU · the body that sets the rule · read Sep 29, 2026
- 2027 AAU Boys' Basketball Eligibility
AAU · the body that sets the rule · read Sep 29, 2026
- Coach | AAU
AAU · the body that sets the rule · read Sep 29, 2026
- AAU Club Membership Information (as of 11/6/25)
AAU · the body that sets the rule · read Sep 29, 2026
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