What are the SafeSport rules for texting players, driving them and hotel stays?

These come from the 2025 U.S. Center for SafeSport MAAPP, which USA Volleyball adopted. Your club or region may be stricter.

Electronic communication

• One-on-one messages with a minor athlete must be open and transparent: copy the athlete's parent/guardian, another adult family member, or another adult participant. This applies even if the athlete messages you first.
• Team messages must include parents/guardians (or another adult family member or adult participant).
• Use only platforms that allow open, transparent communication, and keep everything professional.
• If a parent asks in writing that you not contact their child electronically, you must follow it (except in an emergency).

Transportation

• Must be observable and interruptible: met if you're accompanied by another adult participant or by at least two minors aged 8 or older, unless you have advance written parent/guardian consent.
• Written parent/guardian consent is required annually for any transportation the club or USA Volleyball authorizes or funds.

Lodging

• You may not share a hotel room or sleep in the same room as a minor athlete unless an exception applies and advance written consent is given for that specific stay.
• Written consent is needed annually for all in-program lodging.
• Two adults must be present for any room check.
• Adults traveling overnight with minors are assumed to have authority over them and must be SafeSport trained.

Meetings, training and locker rooms
Meetings and individual training sessions must be observable and interruptible, and parents must be allowed to watch individual sessions. No photography or recording with any device in locker rooms and changing areas.