It means light hand sanding with 220 or thereabouts. NOT power sanding.
If applied in typical fashion (thickness), three coats is typical
(assuming you aren't thinning the finish much).

David

wrote:
Ok this is my first furniture piece so forgive my ignorance. I made
a kitchen island out of cherry and finished it with Olympic oil
based "Natural" stain (pretty much a clear stain)and then put on my
first coat of polyurethane. I am going to let that dry overnite, but
I hear several instructions on "sanding between coats". Does this
mean sanding with an orbital sander with what grit paper? something
like 600 grit? Also how many coats of polyurethane should I use?
thanks!!