• Give verbal instructions first and keep physical contact to a minimum.
• Ask the player’s permission before performing a particular activity that may require contact and do not proceed if they feel uncomfortable.
• Be explicit about what you’re going to do and why.
• Make sure that the physical contact is appropriate to the development of the skill required. For example, teaching a child to swim will involve holding arms/feet to demonstrate appropriate movements and supporting the child  in learning to float.  Holding the child under the breasts or around the groin is inappropriate.
• Demonstrate the skill in a public place, in sight of other people, wherever possible.
• Do not touch genital areas, buttocks, breasts or any part of the body that might cause a child/young person distress or embarrassment.
• Adopt positive language and behaviour and treat all team members appropriately.

Some coaches use physical contact as a way of relating to children and young people.  This is not recommended.  You need to be aware that:

• legitimate contact that occurs during teaching a skill may be misunderstood or misconstrued by parents, observers and participants;
• touching young participants (i.e. by placing a hand on the shoulder, patting them on the back) can result in suspicion and parental concern, particularly if the behaviour occurs repeatedly or appears to focus on particular children;
• gratuitous or unnecessary physical contact may prompt questions about your intentions.

• Ensure you congratulate children and young people in public, never in a private setting.
• Contact should be directly related to the event (e.g., winning a game) and not prolonged, unnecessary or targeted at a particular child or young person.
• Recognise that young people/children may be embarrassed by  behaviours that are acceptable to adults.
• Understand that some cultures and religions disapprove of physical contact between adults and children, particularly if the coach is male and the young person female.
• Seek permission, where possible, from the child/young person before you touch them.
  Provide appropriate measures to treat or prevent an injury. If an injury occurs, draw upon the skills of a properly trained or qualified practitioner as soon as possible.