The Rules

There's no uniform policy among sports organizations on relationships between coaches and athletes. Numerous governing bodies—the WNBA, WUSA, NCAA and USA Track and Field, to cite the most prominent examples—have no policy, while others merely advise against breaking the law. A sampling:

ORGANIZATION/POLICY

USA BASKETBALL
While it has no written policy, federation says coaches and athletes are discouraged from dating.

USA DIVING
"A coach member shall not engage in sexual relations with a minor. A coach shall not otherwise engage in sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct consists of any behavior that utilizes the influence of the coaching position to encourage inappropriate intimacy between coach and athlete. A coach of a collegiate athlete should not engage in sexual relations with any collegiate athlete they coach, regardless of age."

U.S. SKI AND SNOWBOARD ASSOCIATION
Prohibits coaches from having relationships with athletes. Federation refuses to disclose wording of policy.

USA SOCCER
No written policy. The organization considers dating a personal activity and doesn't prohibit coaches and players from dating.

USA SWIMMING
Prohibits "any sexual contact or advance directed towards an athlete by a coach, official, trainer or any other person who, in the context of swimming, is in a position of authority over that athlete."

USA VOLLEYBALL
"A coach [must refrain] from entering into or promising another personal, professional, financial, or other relationship with [athletes] if it appears likely that such relationships might impair the coach's objectivity or otherwise interfere with the coach's effectivity performing his or her functions as a coach, or might harm or exploit the other party."

USA WATER POLO
"Coaches do not engage in sexual intimacies with current athletes. Coaches do not coach athletes with whom they have engaged in sexual intimacies. Coaches should not engage in sexual intimacies with a former athlete for at least two years after cessation or termination of professional services."

WTA
"A coach should not make any sexual advance toward, or have any sexual contact with any player who is under the age of 17, or under the age of legal majority in the jurisdiction where the conduct takes place or where the player resides. A coach should not have any nonconsensual sexual contact with a player of any age. A coach should not engage in sexual harassment."