AAU Warmups
 

Well, its that time again for AAU and I had my first 3 games on last Saturday. I almost forgot how crazy parents can be as well as coaches. I didnt give out any "T's" this weekend, but my partner was about too. Anybody else starting AAU yet?

For some odd reason no one calls me to work AAU games. Any idea why?

You and me both. I guess becuase I don't tolerate those coaches and Parents...

I am sure you will get some this weekend whereas I wont because I am out of town on business.

SUCH a privilege to work these types of games. I worked a couple of games a few weeks ago and about 2 minutes into the second quarter, I'm whacking one of the coaches. God's gift to coaching, I suppose. Typically these tournaments match an experienced guy with a warm body and we're able to get through them. There is little reward in working them however.

I disagree with that statment (there is little reward). There are a lot of rewards. Doing AAU has tremendously help me in my high school season, especially dealing with the coaches and players. Not to mention it keep me in shape during the off season and keeps me sharp for the College Camps.

I will disagree as well. I had one last night that was so heated and good. It was a low low level college game. I had a college game the night before and I felt I should have gotten paid more for the AAU game than I did the college game. It was a truly a more difficult game to ref than my college game.

Wanna bet?

Why would you say that?

I'll take this discussion off-line...I'll email you.

I love AAU games
 

In my area (Houston), we have several organizations that have teams at several ages. The coaches have been doing it for years and know what they are doing. The play is far above regular school games for that age group. Of course, there are some that are not in the league. Usually its the assstant coaches that become fools, and I quick comment to the head coach to take care of it is usually enough.

AAU gives me good games to work on mechanics. Also, anything can and will happen in these games.

I enjoy doing 13 and up on the boys side and 15 and up for the girls. AAU ball here is pretty big time, as the National Directors run the local programs, so the play here is actually pretty good. One of the local coaches is a pain in the butt, but has learned from experience that I won't tolerate his garbage and he adjusts accordingly.

Maybe there is a reward for you. For me and many others, there is absolutely no reward. AAU might have decent talent, but there is little to no structure. Also we get more than enough basketball with HS teams and local HS leagues. Sometimes the leagues are better than most AAU because teams that play each other during the season play each other during regular season. The teams are actually running their offenses and defensive sets. In my case most officials that work them are accomplished officials. It is rare that I am working with a brand spanking new officials who has never seen ball at this level. I guess it just depends on where you live. No value as far as I am concerned other than money.

Peace

I wouldn't go that far, I enjoy working AAU or they couldn't pay me enough to do it. Why do I enjoy it? Usually see guys I work with during the season as well as HS players, HS coaches and often enough local college coaches. I even ran into a college sophomore with a 17U team, I asked him if he was coaching he said no. I told him I wouldn't turn him in but I also told him he was out of his mind to show up and play for that team.

Why do I not like it?

Players & coaches can sometimes be a pain, but to tell you the truth thay doesn't last very long. What comes from the fannies I pay no mind to.

Other than that, it's not a bad way to make a little extra cash.

Dan,

I am speaking for me. I am not speaking for you or any other official. There are people that like to cut themselves with a razor blade until they constantly bleed. That does not mean everyone else finds this appealing. ;)

Peace

No sh1t Jeff :rolleyes: and I am speaking for me.

Get it? You speak for you...I speak for me! Kinda nice how that works. And from now on you never have to remind me that you are speaking for you, because we've come to this understanding. You speak for you. I speak for me.

I'm gonna go buy some razors now, cu later

I am glad you and others with your good attitude DO officiate AAU. We need good officials at this level TOO. Any positive influence you can have on a child will only make them a better person as they get to higher levels. If all they see are screaming coaches and parents; they miss the best part of the sport. They need to learn to enjoy the game and challenge themselves and their personal skill levels..... not how to disrespect authority.

Well since you put it that way, then you are correct. But in this area it a big event and the teams are good, even down to the 7 & 8 year olds. Of course, you have your team that are not so good. I just work on things that keep me ahead of the game for high school. Some officials hang there stuff up and dont start again until October. Not me!!!

not to get off topic or anything but ow do you get on the list to work AAU games in central IL

You take an IQ test. If you fail it, you're on the list.:D

AAU is assigned so randomly that you just have to be in the right place at the right time. You either have to respond to the right email or be on the right person's lips after when assignments are being talked about. All you really can do is ask around and hope they have not assigned the games and they give you a shot. AAU is not assigned by one source or one place. If you ask around someone might pass your name on to the assignor, who often is a coach or an assignor that uses people they know that will be available.

Peace

I think you can go to their website and find the coordinator in your area. You can even apply to be a national official. Then you get to do the big stuff at Disney!

I sometimes enjoy doing AAU, if the quality of ball is high. My problem is time, my time is more valuable than the $15-$20 payed per game. Granted, I don't do it for the money, but spending time doing other things (kids, family, etc.) is more valuable to me.

What are some of the rates for doing AAU in your area?

:eek: You guys get paid for this!!! SWEET!:p

Unless you are a new official it seems to me the only thing that people care about is the $$$$. What do AAU games typically pay in your area? We have officials in my area that work for $15-$20 per game.

For our urban area (Hampton/Newport News) we are getting a raise to $20/game this year. Previously we were getting either $15 or $18 depending on the scope of the tournament.

For the surburban/rural county north of here (read: higher income base) they only have girls tournaments but they pay $28/game.

I don't do it for the money, but I wouldn't do it for free, either.
I won't be taking many (if any) middle school games here next year because it's not worth getting off work 2 hours early to work for $12.50/game. That's college intramural wages, I think, but you'd have to ask one of our other regular posters for that. :)
AAU pays $27.50/game here, and that's the same age level that pays $12.50 when tied to the schools. Not coincidentally, the AAU stuff is far more competitive and higher quality ball.
I'll probably be picking up some more this weekend; I'll be interested to see how the coaches I T'd last weekend behave.

It's really nice when you do the girls and have to do all college mechanics & rules!!!!!

Pays for my summer camps.

Doing my first AAU games this weekend. Five games in all (I just need a little walk-around money, I'm trying to date 2 women at the same time). All Girls, 13U, the highest age group playing this weekend (I had that stipulation put in my contract :D ).

My dumba$$ did volunteer to work the 8am game Sunday morning not realizing that Daylight Savings gets in Saturday night so my a$$ is going to be hurting b/c I'm gonna be out bar & club hopping on Granby St in Norfolk Saturday evening.

I hope one of the two arent mine!

Hampton HS both days. Sunday I have 8:30/10:00am games. Then I'm headed to brunch. :cool:

I was talking about the two females you are trying to date!

And I am hoping the 13U was not connected.

$25 per game here in VT. I don't mind 'em unless my partner is an unpatched dud.

We're open minded enough that you needn't specify that they are girls. Unless, of course, you are also a female, in which case we're open minded enough to accept it.

The 13U, though, could get you in trouble.

I'm confused! :D

Well, the obvious answer is that the assignor's name is 'no one'.

I called him to get some games. There is a complicated situation going on around here concerning officials and AAU games.