ELIGIBILITY

  1. Competition in boys basketball will be conducted in the following age divisions: See Rule B
    September 1, 2002, shall be the determining date for the age of the competitor for all associations and national championship events. Eligibility to participate is based first on the age determining date. The grade of the athlete is not a consideration if the athlete meets the age determining date. an athlete who does not meet the age determining date may qualify under the grade exception rule.  In the 9U/3rd Grade through the 14U/8th Grade division, each team is allowed a maximum of three grade exception athletes. There is no limit on the number of grade exception athletes in the 15U/9th Grade divisions through the Senior Boys division.

    Please fill out the NCAAU Grade Exception Form and attach to each players birth certificate who is competing under grade exception rule.
    Division
    Born on or After:
    Exceptions
    Sr. Boys
    Sept. 1, 1982
    		 (no later than summer following H.S. Class Graduation or Prep School graduation). No limit on the number of grade exception athletes.
    Jr. Boys
    Sept. 1, 1984
    		 Grade Exception 1: A player who is in the 11th grade and who was born on or after September 1, 1983 can participate in the Junior Boys/11th Grade division.

    Exception 2: A player who is enrolling in Prep School is eligible to participate in the AAU Jr. Boys' Basketball Program provided he was born on or after September 1, 1983. Please contact the National Chair for approval. No limit on the number of grade exception athletes.
    16:u /
    10th Grade
    Sept. 1, 1985
    		 A player who is in the 10th grade and was born on or after September 1, 1984 can participate in the 16:u /10th Grade division. No limit on the number of grade excetion athletes.
    15:u /
    9th Grade
    Sept. 1, 1986
    		 A player who is in the 9th grade and was born on or after September 1, 1985 can participate in the 15:u /9th Grade division. No limit on the number of grade exception athletes.
    14:u /
    8th Grade
    Sept. 1, 1987
    		 A player who is in the 8th grade and was born on or after September 1, 1986 can participate in the 14:u /8th Grade division. Maximum of three (3) grade exception athletes per team.
    13:u /
    7th Grade
    Sept. 1, 1988
    		 A player who is in the 7th grade and was born on or after September 1, 1987 can participate in the 13:u /7th Grade division. Maximum of three (3) grade exception athletes per team.
    12:u /
    6th Grade
    Sept. 1, 1989
    		 A player who is in the 6th grade and was born on or after September 1, 1988 can participate in the 12:u /6th Grade division. Maximum of three (3) grade exception athletes per team.
    11:u /
    5th Grade
    Sept. 1, 1990
    		 A player who is in the 5th grade and was born on or after September 1, 1989 can participate in the 11:u /5th Grade division. Maximum of three grade exception athletes per team.
    10:u /
    4th Grade
    Sept. 1, 1991
    		 A player who is in the 4th grade and was born on or after September 1, 1990 can participate in the 10:u /4th Grade division. Maximum of three (3) grade exception athletes per team.
    9:u /
    3rd Grade
    Sept. 1, 1992
    		 A player who is in the 3rd grade and was born on or after September 1, 1991 can participate in the 9:u /3rd Grade division. Maximum of three (3) grade exception athletes per team.

    GRADE CONFIRMATION. Players participating under the grade eligibility exception must present a birth certificate and confirmation of grade level from school administrator. (Letter from Principals Office indicating current grade.) Grade level is determined by players grade on March 1, 2002.
  2. SENIOR BOYS' DIVISION. Players may not compete after the summer following their high school graduation, and must have been born on or after September 1, 1982.
  3. 9:u / 3rd GRADE & 10:u / 4th GRADE. Provides that four (4) teams advance to the Nationals with a state entry of sixteen (16) teams or more.
  4. PLAYER PARTICIPATION. A player may participate in ONLY ONE AGE DIVISION of the AAU Boys' Basketball Program for which he can qualify. EXCEPTION: A player participating in the 15:u / 9th grade division may also compete in the 16:u / 10th grade division, or Junior, or Senior divisions. A maximum of two (2) age divisions. A player participating in the 16:u / 10th grade division may also compete in either the Junior Boys' or the Senior divisions. A player in the Junior Boys' Division may also compete in the Senior Boys' Division. Players who compete in more than one division under this rule must compete with the same AAU club.
  5. RESTRICTIONS. Any player who has ever attended college of junior college is not eligible to play in the AAU/USA Boys' Basketball Program.
  6. A participant in Boys' Basketball may elect to participate in his association in an Association, which geographically adjoins that Association. A team may have a maximum of three (3) players from adjoining Associations.
  7. ELIGIBLE PLAYERS. Coaches are responsible to see that their players meet all eligibility requirements. Use of an ineligible player will result in forfeiture of all games in which that player participated, and expulsion from the tournament. Penalties for the use of an ineligible player will be applied at any time that the violation is discovered.
  8. PRACTICE LIMITATIONS. No Club, Team or Organization participating in AAU Boys' Basketball shall hold tryouts, practice or competition in division 13:u / 7th grade or older for middle school basketball players between November 1 and the first weekend in February of any year.. Further, no player who is a member of a high school basketball team shall be permitted by an NCAAU club, team, or organization to try out, practice, or play for that organization, until such time as the school team for which the player participates has ended its playing season.
  9. COACHES ELIGIBILITY. All non-playing roster members must be current members of the AAU, and must comply with the Roster Rules before sitting in the team bench.

COMPETITION RULES

  1. Except where modified by these rules, the official playing rules of the AAU/USA Boys Basketball are the same as the National High School Rules for the boy's concurrent season in all divisions through Jr. Boys. The Sr. Boys division will play NCAA Rules, without a shot clock.
  2. Undersized basketball will be used for 9:u, 10:u, 11:u and 12:u divisions. (Circumference shall be 28 1/2".)
  3. A team may have on its bench ONLY the eligible players listed on the official roster, plus four (4) non-players (coaches, ball boy, trainer, etc.) listed on the official roster form. Violation of this rule shall result in a two-shot technical foul, assessed to the head coach.
  4. A maximum of 15 players are allowed on an official roster (Also see Rule III-D).
    Playing time:
    9:u 6-Minute Quarters
    10:u 7-Minute Quarters
    11:u 7-Minute Quarters
    12:u 7-Minute Quarters
    13:u 8-Minute Quarters
    14:u 8-Minute Quarters
    15:u 8-Minute Quarters
    16:u 8-Minute Quarters
    Jr. Boys 8-Minute Quarters
    Sr. Boys 20-Minute Halves
  5. BENCH DECORUM. Dress Code: All non uniformed persons on the bench shall comply with the national AAU dress code, which requires (a) slacks (no sweat pants, jeans, warm-ups, or athletic pants); <b) shirts with collars and sleeves; (c) dress shoes or tennis shoes (no open toe shoes); (d) no hats. This dress code applies to female bench personnel as well. Women may wear dresses or skirts appropriate to the occasion. A team may have on its bench only the eligible persons listed on its official roster; including four (4) non-players (coaches, ball boy, scorekeeper, etc.,) Only eligible players may wear uniforms on the bench. A violation shall result in a two-shot technical foul, assessed to the head coach. The offending team shall have one minute to correct the violation. THIS RULE WILL BE ENFORCED! At least one-person age 18 or older must be on the bench at all times. If, as the result of removal, illness, etc., and no roster member of the minimum age of 18 is available, tournament administrators shall select a person of suitable age to supervise the bench.
  6. The top two (2) teams from each pool will advance to the Finals Tournament. Teams that advance from the Pool Play to the State Finals will pay an additional fee of $135.00 directly to the Finals host.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING PROCEDURES

  1. A team must qualify in an Association Championship (State) to compete in the National Championships. NIC bids are available to all teams that do not qualify for the National Championship Tournament.
  2. The first place finisher in all divisions will qualify. The second place finisher will qualify from any age division in which at least six (6) teams participate in the State Tournament. The third place team will qualify from any division in which each at least nine (9) teams participate in the State Tournament. The fourth place team will advance if at least twenty-four (24) teams compete in the State Tournament. Fifth will advance if forty-eight (48) or more compete.
  3. Exception: Sr. Boys will qualify 3rd Team if at least nine (9) teams participate and 10:u will qualify four (4) teams if sixteen (16) teams participate.
  4. The NCAAU Basketball Chairman may require qualifying teams to declare their intent to participate and to deposit the entry fee for the National Tournament with the NCAAU prior to certification of eligibility.
  5. Teams are permitted to add a maximum of five (5) players to their roster for the national tournaments subject to the following restrictions:
    1. All added players must have been eligible players listed on an official Association roster of a team participating in the same age division.
    2. Teams may not add players from the roster of other teams advancing to the National Tournament.
    3. National Championship Tournament Rosters cannot exceed 15 players.
  6. Teams, which earn medals in National Championships, play and who participate in their Association Championship the following year, and who fail to qualify through that association championship for the national tournament shall receive an automatic entry into the National Championship.  In the even that a medal team does qualify for the National Championship in the following year, than the association will receive an additional entry to the national tournament based on the NCAAU seeding system and bracket play.

(NEW) DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING PROCEDURES

  1. Teams finishing in the top three places following the teams qualifying for the Division I Championship will qualify for the Division II National Championships. (For example, if 1-6 qualify in the 11U division including automatic bids, 7,8, and 9th place qualify for the D-II State Championship.
  2. Minimum of top two (2) places in the D-II State Championship Tournament
  3. Minimum of first place in the Consolation Championship Tournament
  4. Only players on original roster may compete in the D-II STate Championship and Consolation Tournaments

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

  1. In order to enter a team into NCAAU Boys Basketball Championships, a team must properly complete the attached roster and entry form, and Express mail it to the Basketball Chairman prior to the entry deadline, along with the entry fee, and proof of player's age. Entries will be closed at 3:00pm of the entry deadline date! LATE ENTRIES WILL BE RETURNED!

    Rosters must be complete. Incomplete rosters will not be accepted. Overnight delivery by U.S. Postal Express Mail is recommended. Send completed packet to NCAAU Boy's Basketball, P.O. Box 49303, Greensboro, NC 27419.

    Proof of players age must be in one of the following manners: (1) a photocopy of his certificate of live birth from the state, county, or municipal bureau of vital statistics at the place of birth (hospital records are not accepted); (2) a photocopy of the delayed registration of birth, if the athlete's birth was not recorded on his day of birth, issued by the same governing bodies; (3) Consular Service Form FS-240, "Report of Birth" issued by the U.S. Department of State' or (4) Immigration and Naturalization Forms I-151 and I-25 and Form 43-R311-7 issued by the U.S. Department of Justice. (5) Players participating under the grade eligibility exception - SEE ELIGIBILTY.

    NO OTHER PROOF OF BIRTH IS ACCEPTABLE.

MISCELLANEOUS

  1. PROTESTS. Protests will be considered according to the procedures set forth by the Association Basketball Committee. A cash fee of $100 (non refundable, unless protest is upheld) must be presented to the Tournament Director and protest made in writing within 2 hours following the completed game. The protest committee will make the final decision.
  2. TOURNAMENT FORMAT AND SCHEDULING. Association tournaments will be conducted under the pool play format, with pool qualifiers advancing to a single elimination draw with a consolation bracket.
  3. INFRACTION COMMITTEE. An Infraction Committee appointed by the Boys Basketball State Chairman will be established to rule on player and team eligibility for NCAAU tournaments. Decisions of the Eligibility Committee are final.
  4. CONDUCT. Teams, coaches, players, and organizations are subject to sanctions imposed by the Basketball Chairman for misconduct. Sanctions may be appealed to the NCAAU Review Committee and may include fines, suspension, forfeiture, probation, or other appropriate action. Misconduct includes but is not limited to fighting, destruction of property, intoxication, or commission of a crime during any AAU competition. Sanctions may be imposed for failure to comply with these rules or the AAU code. Coaches are expected to comply with the National Committee statement of coaches' ethics, which is printed in the bulletin.
  5. UNIFORMS. All teams must wear jerseys with numbers on front and back. Numbers can be double zero (00) to ninety-nine (99). In the event that two teams have jerseys of the same color, which would, in the opinion of the tournament director, cause confusion of players or officials, the tournament director shall direct the visiting team to use their other jerseys or "pennies" provided by the tournament host. Only eligible roster players can wear uniforms on the bench. Minimum size of number shall be 2" on the front and 4" on the back. Violation of this rule shall be penalized by a two (2) shot technical foul prior to the start of the game assessed to the coach.
  6. FORFEITS. Forfeits disrupt a tournament, and cause ill feelings among tournament sponsors, players, coaches, and fans. Teams, which enter a sanctioned AAU event, are expected to compete in all scheduled games. This rule applies to North Carolina teams, which compete in the Association Championships, Inter-Association Competitors, or AAU National Championship Tournaments. In the event that a North Carolina team forfeits a game in any sanctioned AAU event, the basketball chairman may require the forfeiting club to post a performance bond of $200.00 with the NCAAU prior to any further competition by that club in any NCAAU event. A forfeit is a violation of these rules that will subject the club and the coach to sanctions including probation, suspension, fines, expulsion, or other appropriate action as dictated by the circumstances of the forfeit. Any sanction imposed by the basketball chairman under this rule is subject to appeal to the Review Committee.
  7. HOME TEAM. The home team will sit on the bench to the scorekeeper's left, and will warm up at the opposite goal. The home team shall be the team listed at the left or top of the schedule bracket.

AMATEURISM

Neither athletes, players, coaches, volunteers, nor supporters shall violate the amateur status of competitors. The athlete shall not directly or indirectly receive pay or financial benefits in consideration of or as a reward for participating in athletic competition. Teams may not provide shoes, articles of clothing, or non-medical equipment unless like items are provided to all members of the team.

ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS

  1. The Basketball Chairman must receive all entries before 3:00 pm of the entry deadline.  Entry deadlines are printed on the front page of this booklet. Incomplete entries will not be accepted.

    U.S. Postal Overnight or Express Mail delivery is highly recommended.
  2. Download and print the entry form and official roster from this website and provide all information for all Roster members. (Copies will be accepted if entry forms and roster are copied on the front and back of 8-1/2" paper.) Be accurate and complete all information! All information must be provided including uniform numbers, addresses, phone numbers, etc. PENALTY: Failure to provide complete roster information may result in an assessment of an administrative technical foul prior to the 1st game at the discretion of the infractions committee.
  3. Attach copies of players' birth certificates to the official roster. (Jr. Boys, 18-year-olds, must also attach a letter from the school principal verifying grade. They will not be returned.)
  4. Calculate your entry fee. You must pay $165, plus $12.00 for each player on your roster, and $14.00 for each coach/non-player. (A team with 15 players and 4 coaches will pay $401.00). Attach a certified check or U.S. Postal Money Order. Players and coaches that have already AAU cards and have numbers must add numbers to their roster.
  5. Return your entry to:
    NCAAU Basketball
    Post Office Box 49303
    Greensboro, North Carolina 27419-9303
  6. Roster changes may be permitted up to the entry deadline, using the following procedure:
    1. Submit a complete new roster, and birth certificates for new players.

      No rosters will be accepted after the entry deadline.
    2. Pay an administrative fee of $200.00. This can only be done if it is before the original entry deadline. ADDITIONS SENT IN AFTER THE DEADLINE WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED!

      Notice: Chairman will not make any roster change, or accept late birth certificates unless the administrative fee is paid for each change of birth certificate. No Exceptions apply.

      DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DELIVER ENTRIES IN PERSON. COMPLETE APPLICATION TIMELY AND MAIL. All players and coaches must be AAU registered members.


      REGISTERING ON THE INTERNET:
      http://www.aausports.org
      Register all players and coaches. If you register on the Internet, place the AAU number on the roster in the space provided. You may use a MasterCard or Visa to make payment for Internet registration. Remember, you must also have your club registered. If you are unable to register on the web, complete your roster and send it in and we will obtain your numbers for you. If you register on the web, you still must send a completed roster by the deadlines to participate in NCAAU events.
  7. Each team must report to the game site 45 minutes before its first game. Game times are the scheduled starting times, except when the Tournament Site Director and both teams agree to start earlier.
  8. The Tournament Director will provide a place for sign-in, and will supervise the sign-in. No player may participate until he had signed in. If a player plays without signing in, his team will forfeit that game and be expelled from the tournament.
  9. SCHEDULE. Playing schedules will be completed 48 hours after the entry deadline, and Head Coaches will receive schedules by mail.
  10. All roster information must be accurate! Falsifying information is a violation of their rules that could result in loss of eligibility.
  11. PLAYER PARTICIPATION. A player may participate in ONLY ONE AGE DIVISION of the AAU Boys' Basketball Program for which he can qualify. EXCEPTION: A player participating in the 15:u / 9th grade division may also compete in the 16:u / 10th grade division may also compete in either the Junior Boys' or the Senior divisions. A player in the Junior Boys' Division may also compete in the Senior Boys' Division. Players who compete in more than one division under this rule must compete with the same AAU club.
    1. If you are entering both divisions for which you are eligible, the entry fee for the second tournament is $165.00 plus $12.00 for each player and $14.00 coach not previously registered. YOU ONLY PAY FOR THE PLAYER AND COACH ONCE.
    2. Players competing in two tournaments must play for the same AAU Club.
    3. PLAYER EJECTIONS. Players ejected from a game for fighting shall be suspended for the following game per the National Federation or State High School Association rule. (Players ejected for non-fighting penalties do not have to serve suspension.)


      AAU BOYS' BASKETBALL PROGRAM POLICY STATEMENT

MISSION
The purpose of the AAU Boys' Basketball Program are to initiate, stimulate, and improve opportunities for amateur boys' basketball competition, and to promote and develop leadership, sportsmanship, physical fitness, educational opportunities, and athletic excellence.

SPORTSMANSHIP
It is the obligation of coaches, players, administrators, volunteers, and other representatives of the AAU to practice the highest principals of sportsmanship and to observe the ethics of competition. Good sportsmanship is defined as qualities of behavior, which are characterized, by courtesy and genuine concern for others. The display of good sportsmanship is a statement of the individual's understanding of and commitment to fair play, ethical behavior, and integrity.

AMATEURISM
Neither athletes, players, coaches, volunteers, nor supporters shall violate the amateur status of competitors. The athlete shall not directly or indirectly receive pay or financial benefits in consideration of or as a reward for participating in athletic competition. Clubs/Teams shall not provide shoes, articles of clothing, or non-medical equipment unless like items are provided to all members of the team.

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS
Participation in high school basketball is important to the social and athletic development of the AAU athlete. The AAU recognizes the influential role played by the athlete's high school coach and team. Accordingly, the AAU pledges its support of high school athletics. In keeping with the support, the following policies are appropriate:

  1. The AAU Boys' Basketball Committee will not approve Inter-Association competition for athletes older than age twelve (12) between the dates of August 15 and March 15.
  2. AAU Basketball Clubs/Teams shall not allow any athlete who is a member of a high school or middle school interscholastic basketball team to participate in AAU tryouts, practices, or games from the first day listed for high school or middle school basketball practice on the High School Federation calendar until the last game of the regular season has been played.
  3. AAU coaches and high school coaches should maintain open communications for the benefit of the athlete.

COLLEGE RECRUITING

  1. Many athletes participating in the AAU Boys' Basketball Program are recruited to play college basketball. One element of the AAU program is to provide high school-age players with the opportunity for advanced competition and wider exposure of their skills. The recruitment of an athlete can be a desirable result of those competitive opportunities. It is important for coaches and volunteers to observe the following points relative to the recruitment of the athlete: Always remember that the athlete is being recruited, not the coach.
  2. The desired result of the recruiting process is that the athlete attends the college most likely to meet his educational, social, and athletic needs. A favorable reflection upon the Club, school, or coach is not an appropriate criterion for college selection.
  3. The athlete should choose his college with the advice and assistance of his family. The coach need not be involved in the selection process unless the family requests his assistance.
  4. The AAU coach or volunteer may not accept or solicit compensation from any source as payment for his involvement in the college recruiting process. It is unethical for a coach or volunteer to attempt to "deliver" a player to a particular college/university.
  5. A player should be aware of all the educational options available to him. Therefore, the coach/volunteer should not restrict any college from participating in the recruiting process, unless the athlete or his parents have specifically requested that such limitations be observed.

ATHLETICS AND EDUCATION
Athletic competition is good unto itself, and opportunities for participation need not be restricted to individuals representing academic or scholastic institutions. However, the AAU recognizes that athletics can be a powerful tool for shaping the educational development of young people, and for the enhancement of educational opportunities for its participants. AAU Organizations should consider the academic well being of its athletes, and ensure that participation in AAU activities does not adversely affect their academic progress. The AAU Club shall cooperate with the athlete and his parents to strike an appropriate balance among academic, social, and athletic activities.

COACHES' ETHICS
The coach must be aware that he can be either a positive or a negative influence upon the development of the athlete. In all of his personal contacts with athletes, officials, parents, the media, and the public, the coach shall strive to set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct. In keeping with that goal, all AAU coaches should observe the following ethical guidelines:

  1. The coach shall never place the value of winning above the value of instilling the highest desirable ideals of character.
  2. The coach must always consider the personal safety of the athlete.
  3. The coach should be thoroughly acquainted with the rules and regulations of competition, and shall be responsible for their interpretation to team members. The coach shall not try to seek an advantage by circumventing the spirit or letter of the rules.
  4. Game officials shall have the respect and support of the coach. The coach hall not indulge in conduct, which will incite the players or spectators against the officials. Public criticism of the officials or players is unethical.
  5. The coach shall respect his opponents, display gracious behavior during competition, and require his players to conduct themselves in similar fashion. Before and after the contest, rival coaches should meet and exchange friendly greetings to set the correct tone for the event.
  6. Coaches shall actively use influence to enhance sportsmanship by spectators.
  7. The coach shall take an active role in the prevention of drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse, and shall, under no circumstance, authorize their use.
  8. The coach must recognize the importance of the athlete's academic development and promote the proper balance between athletic and academic activities.