Massage can enhance athletes' conditioning and performance, reduce injury potential and aid injury rehabilitaion. This text offers information on how to use massage in any sports setting and focus on these topics: the theoretical basis for sports massage; various applications of massage for athletes - restorative, event-related and maintenance; massage and adjunct techniques; the effects of each technique; tips on giving massage; how to set up a sports massage programme; contra-indications and cautions. Featuring more than 60 illustrations of sports massage techniques, the text guides readers through the finer points of planning and giving a massage, including: body mechanics; palpation; technique selection; movement qualitites such as rhythm and pacing; the massage routine.