Abstract: In order to create a basketball environment for youth development, improve the basketball skills of youth at different age segments, as well as enable them participate in and enjoy basketball games, the American Basketball Association and NBA League jointly issued Youth Basketball Guidelines (hereinafter referred to as "Guidelines"). This present paper systematically interprets the formulation background, implementation strategy, operation mechanism of "Guidelines", aiming to provide reference value and implications for the promotion and popularization of youth basketball in China, and deepen the content of sports-education integration. The research shows that: American youth are encouraged to participate in multiple basketball games in a happy, scientific, quantitative, fair and standardized way. In order to prevent the early sports specialization, the Guidelines formulates the participation rules and standards, as well as the special specifications for youth at different age segments, and details the age segmentation for youth participation. On this basis, this paper puts forward that the development of youth basketball in China should closely follow the state policies and youth's healthy physical and mental development pattern; give full play to the authority of industry associations; and at the same time, construct reasonable loads and age groups to promote youth development in a healthy and fair way.

Key words: USA, Youth Basketball Guidelines, implementation concept, participation standards