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Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Is There an Alternative to Expensive Travel Basketball?


Youth sports has become big business. The last number I saw was $40 billion dollars.

Are you getting your money's worth? Is the quality of the basketball coming out of these programs better? Has youth sports "priced out" a lot of families who just can't pay that freight? 

What are the costs? 

  • Registration fees
  • Participation fees (program fees, gym time, officials)
  • Uniforms and sneakers 
  • Tournament fees (spectator fees)
  • Travel 
  • Hotel and food expenses
  • Sports club membership (e.g. YMCA)
  • Sport specific and/or position specific camps (e.g. point guard or setter camp)
  • Athletic training/strength and conditioning (optional?)
  • Sport specific coaching/private skill training (optional)
  • Additional health costs (everyone gets injured)
  • Hidden food costs (fueling the machine)
  • Missed work (especially for self-employed)
What are the benefits? 

  • "As little as four hours of exercise a week may reduce a teenage girl’s risk of breast cancer by up to 60%; breast cancer is a disease that afflicts one out of every eight American women. (Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 1994)
  • Forty percent of women over the age of 50 suffers from osteoporosis (brittle bones). (Osteoporosis, 1996) None of us should want our daughters to repeat the experiences of generations of women—our mothers and grandmothers—who were not permitted to play sports or encouraged to participate in weight-bearing exercises that are necessary to establishing bone mass.
  • Girls and women who play sports have higher levels of confidence and self-esteem and lower levels of depression."
Youth sports are a "pyramid scheme" where some at the top benefit with success, recognition, athletic scholarships, even NIL money? All are powerful incentives to reach for the 'brass ring'. Realize that "many are called and few are chosen." 

Parents willingly sacrifice "time and treasure" with no guarantees of 'return on investment'. The fees alone for joining club teams can run in the thousands of dollars and generally do not include travel expenses. 


The sports season is the tip of the iceberg. The skill building, film study, strength and conditioning, resilience training, and everything else that happens occurs below the waterline. 

Play a lot. What alternatives would be possible? My high school coach told us to "play a lot." In the summer, that included "Summer League" games and going to the park to "run" often against older competition. Old guys can teach you a lot. 

Safety. Safety concerns changed the landscape, especially for younger players and girls. Players are sometimes called "car athletes" because they play when they get a ride. Awareness of heat safety matters. 

Camp driveway. Players can work a lot on their own but the best practice occurs with offense, defense, decision-making, and competition. 

Skill training sessions. Once we offered twice weekly outdoor voluntary sessions (June-September) with skill building and team building exercises. The best players took advantage of those opportunities. 

ChatGPT shares excellent ideas to reduce expenses: 

Youth sports, especially club and travel teams, have become cost-prohibitive for many families. While getting lots of reps and strong competition is key to development, there are practical ways to keep costs down without sacrificing growth. Here are some alternatives and strategies:

1. Play Local, Compete Smart

  • Join Local Leagues: Many YMCAs, park districts, and community centers run quality leagues at a fraction of AAU prices.

  • Limit Travel Tournaments: Choose a few high-value tournaments each season rather than traveling every weekend. Stay regional when possible.

2. Build a “Pod” or Training Group

  • Create a Training Circle: Gather a consistent group of 4–8 players and a coach or trainer to practice regularly. Split court rental and coaching costs.

  • Skill-Sharing Model: Rotate among parent-coaches with basketball experience. One handles shooting, another defense, etc. Collaboration saves money and adds variety.

3. Emphasize Skill Development Over Exposure (Early On)

  • Private or Small-Group Skills Training: One or two sessions a week focused on ball handling, footwork, and shooting can yield better returns than games.

  • Invest in Tools: A hoop at home, cones, resistance bands, or a membership to a local gym can be lower-cost and more effective long-term.

4. Use Open Gyms and Free Play

  • Find Open Gyms: Many schools and rec centers offer free or low-cost open gym hours. Playing pickup builds creativity and toughness.

  • Encourage Self-Directed Practice: Shooting and ball-handling can be improved daily at a local court—free and valuable.

5. Partner with a School Program

  • School Team Alignment: Encourage your child’s school coach to offer off-season skill sessions or summer leagues, which are often cheaper and more community-based.

6. Get Creative with Travel

  • Carpool and Share Lodging: Coordinate with other families to reduce hotel and gas costs.

  • Host Local Events: Help your local club host a tournament—this can earn revenue and reduce the need to travel.

7. Consider Multi-Sport or Seasonal Focus

  • Play Other Sports in Offseason: Basketball IQ and athleticism often improve when kids play other sports. It’s cost-saving and developmentally sound.

  • Basketball in Bursts: Instead of year-round basketball, do focused 3-month skill blocks followed by a break or change in sport.

8. Scholarships or Financial Aid

  • Ask About Financial Help: Many clubs offer discounts, payment plans, or scholarships—but you have to ask.

  • Volunteer in Exchange: Offer to help with team management, coaching, or fundraising in return for reduced fees.

9. Don’t Chase the Big Name Club

  • Find the Right Fit: A lesser-known club with strong coaches and a good culture can be more beneficial than a “brand name” team with less personal attention.

10. Use Video and Tech Instead of Exposure Tournaments

  • Film Games or Workouts: A good highlight reel + strong in-game clips matters more than attending expensive “exposure” events.

  • Free Online Tools: Tools like Hudl, YouTube, and social media can help players get seen without constant travel.

Lagniappe. I love practice. 

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