Can a coach stretch, tape or massage a player?

The 2025 MAAPP covers manual therapy and therapeutic and recovery modalities, which include first aid, massage, taping, cupping, stretching and cryotherapy. Whenever one is done for a minor athlete:

• Another adult participant must be physically present, and the session must be observable and interruptible.
• A parent/guardian must give consent at least once a year before any treatment. The athlete or parent can withdraw consent at any time.
• The athlete stays fully or partly clothed, with breasts, buttocks, groin and genitals always covered.
• Parents/guardians may be in the room to watch, except at venues that limit credentials.
• The provider must explain each step before doing it and check the athlete is OK with it throughout.

Only the emergency exception applies here. Close-in-age and dual-relationship exceptions don't.

Recommended: only licensed providers should give these treatments, techniques that reduce touching should be used where possible, and coaches should not massage minor athletes, even if they are licensed massage therapists.