Frequently Asked Questions

What is AAU?

The amateur Athletic Union is a national organization dedicated to amateur sports and physical fitness programs. The Lower Bucks Lightning is a registered member of the Middle Atlantic District since 1990. AAU basketball is designed for the serious player.       The goal of the club is to assist each player in our program to improve their basketball skills by providing knowledgeable coaching, along with the opportunity to play with and against the highest level of competition.

    Another important goal of the club is to develop character, teamwork, and sportsmanship in an enjoyable basketball environment. Players also develop new friendships, established through travel and competitive experience.

How does my child make a Lightning team?

All players must register and attend all tryouts for their age group to be evaluated fairly. The Lightning has open tryouts beginning in February for younger age groups (9-13). Tryouts for high school age players are held after all high school commitments are completed in the late February and early March time frame. No one is guaranteed a spot on a team’s roster unless they have a paid registration and tryout.

  Tryout announcements are published in the local newspapers and on this website. Please check this site often.

What happens if my child is not selected for a team?

If your child is not selected for this year’s team then you will be refunded your entire registration fee. If your child is selected for a team and later you decide to leave the team then you will not receive a refund. This prevents parents from “shopping” at various AAU clubs. This causes a disruption to our teams and is unfair to everyone. The financial commitment tends to make the tryout more important.

What is the cost of playing for the Lightning?

The Lightning charges an annual registration fee that is used to defray the cost of operations, gym rental, insurance, and equipment. We are a non profit organization; the Lightning has managed to keep this fee very reasonable compared to similar program through judicious cost management, fundraising, and the contributions of its many volunteers. All AAU registered players must be covered under a supplementary insurance to play in AAU sanctioned tournaments. The registration fee covers the cost of insurance, practices and the three Lower Bucks tournaments held during the spring AAU season. All players must purchase a uniform that is competitively priced. The cost of travel to tournaments is the responsibility of each player.

What is the commitment of practices?

Teams practice on average at least twice a week, usually on weeknights. Practice sessions provide time for the development of individual skills and team concepts. Defensive and offensive strategies are covered. Players are expected to learn the system during these sessions, so that game coaching can reinforce concepts and procedures that have been taught. Practices are held in the Langhorne- Newtown area.

What about playing time?

A Lightning player is a contributing member of a team. Players are challenged in practice sessions and are provided opportunities during game situations to display their basketball skills. All players receive playing time; however, some players might receive more playing time than others. The amount of time that a player receives is determined by several factors such as match-ups, foul trouble, attitude, attendance at practices and games and work ethic.

Who are the Coaches?

We take pride in the quality of our coaches. Lightning coaches are all knowledgeable, experienced basketball people who share a love of the game with a desire to teach its fundamentals. Nearly all of the Lightning coaches have either high school and or college experience as players or coaches. The coaching staff includes a growing number of former Lightning players.

College Exposure Tournaments

Many players have aspirations to play college basketball. The Lower Bucks Lightning provides those players who wish to pursue basketball in college numerous opportunities to demonstrate their basketball abilities at AAU tournaments attended by college coaches and recruiters. Over the course of our existence, many Lightning players have earned scholarships to continue their basketball careers at Division I and II universities and colleges. In addition, many players have gone onto rewarding careers at the Division III level.

Tournaments