The NBA and USA Basketball have partnered to develop a first-ever set of youth basketball guidelines to enhance the way children, parents and coaches experience the game, emphasizing the importance of player health and wellness, the NBA announced Monday.
The recommended playing and rest guidelines — which have been endorsed by a handful of organizations such as AAU, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Adidas, Nike, Under Armour and the NCAA — were established over the past six months by three working groups (health and wellness, playing standards and curriculum and instruction) made up of coaches, administrators, former players (including retired NBA champions Shane Battier and Bruce Bowen) and leading medical experts from around the world.
In addition to these guidelines, the health and wellness working group outlined eight key recommendations to “promote a positive and healthy youth basketball experience,” including the importance of delaying single-sport specialization until age 14 or older.
The announcement of the guidelines tips off the second annual Jr. NBA Week, during which all 30 NBA teams host clinics and events in their communities.
Visit youthguidelines.com for more.