The Stretch Command is given so that the House Boy will safely limber up for a physical activity or to prepare both the mind and body following sleep or rest. This command may be given at any location whether the House Boy is clothed or naked, regardless of who may be present and could observe. It can also be given when the boy will participate in group activities from home events (like annual cleanup) to outside activities (like volunteer work or day hikes).

The protocol calls for the boy to first evaluate the context in which the command is given, and proceed using good judgment. If the Stretch Command is given after the boy awakens from a sleep period or a nap (whether authorized or not), the boy should reasonably know that he is expected to take an informal ‘rise and shine’ type stretch, including actions that will help clear the 'cobwebs’ from a sleepy mind. When the Stretch Command is given in a group setting, the boy will stretch for activities of the group, whether it be yoga or sport, or volunteer work. The boy is expected to continue stretching until another command is issued or he is told to stop.

Although over 90% of Stretch Commands are given by the Master to the boy at home, and over 90% of the remaining Stretch Commands are given to the boy while he is clothed, the example pictured is shown as a reminder that the House Boy can be required to strip naked at a few locations where nudity is legal or traditional, like clothing-optional resorts and the home of property of the Master’s friends. Here, the boy is given a Stretch Command along a stream during a morning hike with the Master and a friend on the edge of the friend’s rural property. The small stream is owned by the Master’s friend and a picnic lunch is planned when they make it to a secluded swimming hole upstream. The short hike will replace most of the boy’s scheduled exercises, but it’s still important that he be limber and alert to avoid injury, so the Master has ordered the boy onto a rock for some limbering up.

The Stretch Command does not include restrictions on speech unless the boy is directed to stretch silently, and the boy sings as he stretches to help get mentally prepared for the short hike ahead. the Stretch Command is a freestyle activity, and the boy can usually choose how he wishes to stretch and which direction he wishes to face, etc. If the Master is unsatisfied with the boy’s stretching then the boy will simply be required to continue stretching until he does it to the Master’s satisfaction, or the Master will direct the boy to stretch a particular way. Examples of this include, “Stretch your feet and toes” or “Limber up your hips”. The boy can and should consider stretching in positions other than standing, including lying on his back or side, crouched or sitting.