Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP) 

What is MAAPP and How Do I Implement It at Swim Meets?

Guidance for Meet Directors and Meet Referees

What is MAAPP?

 

MAAPP is USA Swimming’s Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy. The policy sets specific boundaries for adults who interact with swimmers to help ensure that all athletes have a safe, enriching, and positive swimming experience. MAAPP is a critical part of USA Swimming’s and Georgia Swimming’s SafeSport initiatives.

 

All USA Swimming members including athletes 18 and older and adults who interact with minor athletes at swim club events, practices, meets, and other swimming activities are expected to comply with the MAAPP policy. In Georgia, MAAPP will be in effect for all USA Swimming sanctioned meets beginning June 23, 2019. All Georgia Swimming clubs including all board members, staff, team managers, chaperones, swimmers, meet directors, officials, and non-member parents and volunteers are expected to understand and comply with MAAPP. 

 

MAAPP governs five areas of potential interactions with Minor Athletes:

 

  • One-on-one interactions​,
  • Social media and electronic communications
  • Travel
  • Locker rooms and changing areas
  • Massages, rub downs, and athlete training modalities

 

Where can I find the full Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy?

Go to https://www.usaswimming.org/MAAPP to read the full policy.  

 

When does MAAPP go into effect?

The Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy or MAAPP goes into effect June 23, 2019.  All teams and LSCs must implement MAAPP by that date.

 

Who is covered by MAAPP?

MAAPP applies to all Applicable Adults who are defined as:

 

  • All USA Swimming non-athlete members (officials, coaches, meet directors, etc.)
  • All USA Swimming Adult Athlete members (swimmers 18 and older) 
  • Participating non-members (meet marshals, computer operators, timers, hospitality volunteers, etc.)​
  • LSC and club adult staff and board members
  • Any other adult authorized to have regular contact with or authority over minor athletes.

 

How can Meet Referees and Meet Directors inform Applicable Adults about MAAPP at a meet? 

Meet briefings are a great way to talk about Safe Sport and the new MAAPP requirements. This might be the first time that someone has heard about MAAPP and the fact that they are held to its expectations during the meet. The language below is approved for you to use in those briefings or include on additional information you give to volunteers.

 

Officials and Timer briefings:

  • This meet is conducted according to current USA Swimming Rules, including the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy.
  • Make sure all interactions with athletes are observable and interruptible.
  • Deck changing is prohibited. Report instances of deck changing to the meet referee/meet director. 
  • [IF ONLY ONE LOCKER ROOM/RESTROOM] Make sure you are not alone with an athlete in the locker room, including to use the restroom. Be proactive and tell the meet director immediately if this happens, even when it occurred through no fault of your own. Separate times have been delegated for your use. 
  • IF MULTIPLE FACILITIES] There is a separate locker room/restroom for athletes and all other adults. Make sure that you are only using the facility marked for you. 

Coaches briefing:

  • This meet is conducted according to current USA Swimming Rules, including the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy. 
  • Make sure all interactions with athletes are observable and interruptible, including any meetings you have in between races or sessions. 
  • Deck changing is prohibited. Make sure you tell all your athletes this. If they are seen deck changing you can expect that someone will come and remind them or you as their coach of this expectation. 
  • Remind your athletes of appropriate behavior in the locker room. Be sure to include that the use of any devices that record or take photos are prohibited in the locker room and changing areas. 
  • [IF ONLY ONE LOCKER ROOM/RESTROOM] Make sure you are not alone with an athlete in the locker room, including to use the restroom. Be proactive and tell the meet director immediately if this happens, even when no fault of your own. Separate times have been delegated for your use. 
  • [IF MULTIPLE FACILITIES] There is a separate locker room/restroom for athletes and all other adults. Make sure that you are only using the facility marked for you. 
  • As a reminder, coaches are not allowed to massage any athlete, even if you are a licensed massage therapist. This includes all massages, rubdowns, stretching, physical manipulation, injury rehabilitation, and the use of electronic or instrument assisted modalities such as stim treatment, dry needing, and cupping.

What are some other ways Meet Directors can help communicate MAAPP at meets?

 

  • Print out the Coaches Briefing points from above and include it with other meet materials you distribute to coaches when they check in. 
  • Include the information in pre-meet emails to coaches. 
  • Post the same information where coaches pick up heat sheets or check in swimmers. 
  • Post the Official and Timer Briefing information where these groups of volunteers gather.
  • Put the Official and Timer Briefing information on the lane timer sheet boards.
  • Post both print outs in the hospitality room.
  • Have a print out of the policy available for anyone who wants to review it in full.

 

Have additional questions about MAAPP? Contact the GA Swimming Safe Sport Coordinator Michael O'Shaughnessy at [email protected]