| AAU football is growing bigger and bigger each | | | | roster. |
| and every year. It is following in the footsteps of | | | | Seven-on-seven tournaments are nothing new. |
| AAU basketball, which has been the central focus | | | | For quite a while, high school coaches have sent |
| of college basketball recruiting for many years. | | | | their skill-position players to various tournaments |
| Football recruits are now using these tournaments | | | | to polish their timing, throwing, catching and |
| as their primary avenue to get more exposure | | | | coverage skills. But those tournaments have |
| for college coaches. | | | | always been tied to high school teams. High school |
| The Amateur Athletic Union or AAU does not | | | | coaches aren't allowed to coach these teams, but |
| actually sponsor these events at the high school | | | | they are encouraged to watch their school's team |
| age, but just like in basketball, all of these off | | | | to ensure the rules are being followed. |
| season tournament events have become known | | | | Although college coaches are not currently allowed |
| as AAU events. Some college coaches are very | | | | to attend these AAU football events, they pay |
| happy about these tournaments and the recruiting | | | | attention to what happens at these tournaments. |
| news that comes from them, while other | | | | They quickly learn who excelled at these |
| coaches are worried that it just opens the door | | | | tournaments and who was a flop. These results |
| for some coaches who are trying to cash in on | | | | are very important indicators because the players |
| the process. | | | | are going against the very best competition. |
| AAU football tournaments operate just like their | | | | Some lesser known recruits have really made a |
| basketball counterparts. They bring together the | | | | name for themselves at these tournaments. |
| most talented players and play tournament style | | | | In the coming years, coaches across the country |
| football. These tournaments are single elimination, | | | | will have to take AAU football more seriously. |
| unlike the round-robin format in basketball. Unlike | | | | Love it or hate it, grassroots football has arrived |
| regular football, these tournaments are | | | | and it's here to stay. |
| seven-on-seven instead of the usual eleven man | | | | |
