REMEMBER WHEN... DWYANE WADE VISITED ESPN WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS COMPLEX

Three-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade, 12-time NBA All-Star, will miss his second consecutive midseason exhibition. A recent re-acquisition of the familiar Miami Heat, "Flash" is averaging 11 points per game.

Back in 2010, before Wade and his buddy LeBron James joined forces in South Beach for the Heat, Wade joined Mickey Mouse and played a special 3-on-3 basketball game with athletes in town for the 16U AAU Girls Basketball National Championships at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.

Read More >>

18 AAU EVENTS YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS IN 2018

Summertime is right around the corner and, with that, comes the bulk of AAU national championship season. The AAU is constantly adding new events and new competition opportunities for youth athletes and, in recent years, a larger focus has been placed on developing the whole event – not just organizing a tournament.

Complete with social responsibility initiatives and unique family vacation opportunities, take a look at the 18 AAU events you are not going to want to miss in 2018:

AAU GIRLS' JUNIOR NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 16-28, 2018 | Orlando, Florida

More than 30,000 athletes across the nation collide in Orlando for the largest youth volleyball event in the world. The event attracts 80,000 spectators, 9,000 coaches and more than 500 college coaches to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and Orange County Convention Center. Oh, and who could forget, there's an exclusive AAU Water Park Party at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park during the event! Select championship games stream live on WatchESPN.com.

AAU JUNIOR OLYMPIC GAMES

July 25-August 4, 2018 | Des Moines, Iowa

AAU national championship season concludes with the largest multi-sport festival in the United States. The 10-day event features 18 sports competitions, including the AAU's marquee track and field event. Nearly 250 AAU Track and Field national records have been set and reset at the Games since 2011, including two national records by 15-year-old star Brandon Miller in 2017. The 2018 Games will be streamed live at FloTrack.org for the second consecutive year. Plus, you never know what decorated Olympians will be on hand for this event!

AAU CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS AND PRIMARY NATIONALS

July 6-14, 2018 | Orlando, Florida

The last qualifying event for the AAU Junior Olympic Games, AAU Club Championships bring more than 5,000 runners to the starting line at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Run the same track as three-time Olympic gold medalist LaShawn Merritt and former world's fastest man Justin Gatlin. Preceding the AAU Club Championships is the AAU Primary Nationals for ages 8-and-under to compete in their very own national championship events. Select days stream live on WatchESPN.com!

Read More >>

ASK AN EXPERT: AAU ALUM LAURYN WILLIAMS

Once every two years, the greatest athletes from around the world represent their countries with pride and compete to etch their names in the history books. This massive event is truly a spectacle, and there may be no one better equipped to break down what it takes and what the stage feels like more than AAU alum Lauryn Williams.

As one of only five athletes, and the first woman, to take home hardware in both winter (bobsledding) and summer (sprinting) events, Williams can provide unparalleled advice and knowledge on the topic.

Our friends at Eastbay sat down with the legendary competitor to hear all about her experiences on the global stage.

*Visit the Eastbay Blog for breakdowns of the latest athletic gear, exclusive interviews with your favorite athletes, and monthly workout tips.

(PART 1)

(PART 2)

PART 3: FAVORITE MOMENTS OF HER CAREER

Q: When you look back at your career, were there any moments that really stood out?

A: "I would say in 2012, when I did my part to help the 4x100 relay team win gold and break the world record. I was part of the qualifying relay, but wasn't chosen to participate in the finals. You would think that would be a negative experience for me, but it was kind of that redeeming moment that I realized in bobsled later: it's bigger than me.

It's really all about the team. Sometimes you've got to play a supporting role. You can give your teammates wisdom, advice, and support. You can talk to your other teammates and make sure they have everything they need.

You've got to understand that your actual performance may not be what's best for the team, but there are still things you need to contribute that are going to be integral to the team's success. I felt so much satisfaction when they got around the track and I realized I had done my part."

Q: Did you have a moment early on in your career where you realized 'yes, I'm good enough to compete at the highest of levels?'

A: "I don't think I necessarily did. For me, it was a constant thing that was always popping up in my head. As I built up confidence from high school to college to the pros, I was working to create that mindset that I was good enough. It was all about giving myself positive self-talk."

Q: Take us back to those medal ceremonies – what's it like up there with the National Anthem playing and millions of fans looking on?

A: "It's incredibly cool and kind of cliché to say, but there's no real way to describe what that feels like. One of the things I've come to realize is that all these accomplishments and ceremonies are just moments – the whole sum is what matters the most. These are all just chapters that you're adding to in your life. You think about all the buildup, all the practices...that's really what that moment is about. So it's cool to stand there on the podium and hear that anthem, and you appreciate it, but you realize that it's part of a bigger picture."

WORKOUT OF THE MONTH: KNEELING EXERCISES

Walk into a gym and you'll notice a lot of the same thing: athletes standing, sitting, or lying on their backs while they are getting their bodies ready for 2018 AAU competition.

Even though these get the job done, there is another position that can help strengthen your body and balance, giving you an edge on your competition: Kneeling.

Yes, kneeling.

Not only is this position a change up from your regular bench press, curls, or squats, but it most importantly can improve your balance, strength and core stability.

Thanks to our friends at Eastbay, we can help you work some of these exercises into your regular routine. Here are six of our favorite kneeling exercises for you to pick and choose from:

*Visit the Eastbay Blog for breakdowns of the latest athletic gear, exclusive interviews with your favorite athletes, and monthly workout tips.

1. BALL CHOPS

Kneeling on your left knee with the right leg in a lunge position, hold the med ball overhead.

Drive the ball across your body diagonally toward the right hip and simultaneously rotate right.

Slowly return to start position and repeat nine more times. Immediately switch kneeling positions and do 10 Ball Chops.

Read More >>

EVENT CREDENTIALS AT A PARTNER PRICE

Click Here or on the image to view all the information

ONE WEEK LEFT FOR OUR EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION DEADLINE

Mark your calendars for March 1st! This will be the final day to save $100 on your registrations for AAU Girls' and Boys' Nationals, and $50 off of your entry for the Girls' West Coast Championships. Click on the links below for more information about these events!

	2018 West Coast Championships – Las Vegas, NV
	45TH AAU Girls' Junior National Volleyball Championships – Orlando, FL
	2018 Boys AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships – Orlando, FL

---

2018 AAU VOLLEYBALL CLASSIC

Spots for this years' tournament are filling up fast! The registration deadline is March 20, 2018 but sign up and pay the entry fee ASAP to make sure your team gets in! More information can be found HERE.

---

2018 BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Finish your summer the right way with the AAU Junior National Beach Volleyball Championships in Hermosa Beach, CA. This event that does not require qualification will take place July 10-14, 2018. Not enough beach volleyball yet? One week later we have the 2018 West Coast AAU Junior Olympic Games for beach volleyball in Santa Monica, CA! This tournament will take place from July 19-22, 2018. 2018 West Coast AAU Junior Olympic Games is a qualified event that you can earn a bid to by participating in a qualifier throughout the year. Links for more information are below!

	2018 Junior National Beach Volleyball Championships – Hermosa Beach, CA
	2018 West Coast AAU Junior Olympic Games Beach Volleyball – Santa Monica, CA
	Find a qualifier near you! 2018 AAU Beach Volleyball Schedule