Table 4.
Maximum participation guidelines
| Age (years) or grade | No. of games per day | No. of hours per week in organized basketballa |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 7–8 | 1 | 3 |
| Ages 9–11 | 2b | 5 |
| Ages 12–14 | 2b | 10c |
| Grades 9–12 | 2b | 14c |
aOrganized basketball includes game competition and practice time and structured training in which an athlete works in a focused way to improve his or her game, typically with or at the direction of a coach. Unstructured peer-led on-court activities do not constitute organized basketball for the purpose of this table (e.g., pickup games, a player shooting baskets by themselves, a player working with a peer to practice a skill). Youth basketball camps can be a positive experience for young players. Camp program content and duration is variable and may exceed the practice guidelines above. Camp directors should, however, keep the above guidelines in mind, and seek to include activities other than on-court basketball as well as rest days. The research team also recommend additional rest days following camp attendance. Residential youth sport academies also exist, particularly outside the USA. Studies in Europe point to earlier specialization, enhanced specific practice intensity and increased risks of impaired well-being, health and academic performance in the sport-students [147]. Therefore, attention to these issues is warranted. As such, academy directors and coaches should recognize the risks of early specialization and benefits of diversified participation. Their sport curricula should involve activities other than basketball to a significant portion up to age 14 years or beyond, including both organized and non-organized settings
b Youth basketball players, parents, and coaches should demonstrate caution in scheduling or participating in more than one game per day, especially on consecutive days. If young athletes participate in an event or tournament in which more than one game is played per day on consecutive days, players should have additional time off from sports activities following the event to allow for recovery
cIt is recommended that young athletes in these age ranges who are approaching the maximum recommended hour limits do not participate in another sport concurrently