Sports Merit Badge

Overview

Millions of people participate in sports every year. For some the appeal is the close friendships that come with being part of a team. Some revel in the joy of victory and lessons of defeat. For some, the personal fitness is so important that exercise becomes a daily need. And still others desire the feeling of achievement, that feeling of measurable improvement that comes with dedication to a sport.

Requirements

NOTE: The activities used to fulfill the requirements for the Sports merit badge may not be used to help fulfill requirements for other merit badges.
(1) Do the following:
- (a) Explain to your counselor the most likely risks you may encounter while participating in sports and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these risks.
  
  Resources: Sports Injuries and Prevention (video), Preventing Sports Injuries in Children (video), Safety Tips - Popular Sports (video)
- (b) Show that you know first aid or understand the treatment for injuries that could occur while participating in sports, including sprains; strains; muscle cramps; contusions; abrasions; blisters; dehydration; heat reactions; fractures; injured teeth; head, neck, and back injuries; and concussions.
  
  Resources: Strains, Tears, and Sprains (video), First Aid for Fractures (video), Dehydration (video)
(2) Explain the following:
- (a) The importance of the physical exam
  
  Resources: Annual Physical Exam (website)
- (b) The importance of maintaining good health habits for life (such as exercising regularly), and how the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and other harmful substances can negatively affect your health and your performance in sports activities
  
  Resources: Benefits of Playing Sports (video)
- (c) The importance of maintaining a healthy diet
  
  Resources: How To Manage Your Mood With Food (video)
(3) Discuss the following:
- (a) The importance of warming up and cooling down
  
  Resources: Stretching and Warming Up (video)
- (b) The importance of weight training
  
  Resources: Benefits of Strength Training (website)
- (c) What an amateur athlete is and the differences between an amateur and a professional athlete
  
  Resources: What Is an Amateur (PDF)
- (d) The attributes (qualities) of a good sport, the importance of sportsmanship, and the traits of a good team leader and player who exhibits Scout spirit on and off the playing field
  
  Resources: What Is Good Sportsmanship? (video)
(4) Select TWO of the following sports and discuss with your counselor how you will complete the requirements in 5(a) through 5(h) for each sport: badminton, baseball, basketball, bowling, cross-country, diving, field hockey, flag football, flag team, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, spirit/cheerleading, swimming, tackle football, table tennis, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo, and/or wrestling. Your counselor may approve in advance other recognized sports, but not any sport that is prohibited by Scouting America. The sports you choose must include regular practice sessions and at least four structured, officiated, scored games, meets, or contests against other competitive individuals or organized teams during the period of participation.
(5) Do the following:
- (a) With guidance from your counselor, establish a suitable personal training program that you will follow throughout your competition season (or for three months).
  
  Resources: How To PUSH UP (video), How To PULL UP (video), How To SQUAT (video)
- (b) Create a chart or other tracking system, and document your training, practice, and development during this time.
  
  Resources: 7 Powerful Journaling Ideas for Youth Sports Athletes (website)
- (c) Demonstrate proper technique to play each sport effectively and avoid injury.
- (d) List and describe the equipment needed for each sport, including protective equipment and any specialized clothing.
  
  Resources: Equipment Needed To Play Various Sports (website)
- (e) List and explain the rules and proper etiquette of each sport.
  
  Resources: Rules of Basketball (video), How To Play Golf (video), Rules of Soccer (video), How To Participate in Cheerleading Competitions (video), Baseball Basics (video), Rules of Fencing (video), American Football Rules (video), How To Play Volleyball (video), Rules of Ice Hockey (video)
- (f) Draw and explain a diagram of the playing area for each sport.
  
  Resources: Fields of Play for Various Sports (website)
- (g) Participate in each sport as a competitive individual or as a member of an organized team for one season (or for three months).
- (h) At the end of the season, share your completed chart with your counselor and discuss how your participation in the sports you chose has affected you mentally and physically.
(6) Do ONE of the following:
- (a) Identify three career opportunities that would use skills and knowledge related to a sport. Pick one and research the training, education, certification requirements, experience, and expenses associated with entering the field. Research the prospects for employment, starting salary, advancement opportunities and career goals associated with this career. Discuss what you learned with your counselor and whether you might be interested in this career.
  
  Resources: Sports Jobs for Non-Athletes (video), Career Advice for Pro Athletes (video)
- (b) Identify how you might use skills and knowledge related to a sport to pursue a personal hobby and/or healthy lifestyle. Research the additional training required, expenses, and affiliation with organizations that would help you maximize the enjoyment and benefit you might gain from it. Discuss what you learned with your counselor and share what short-term and long-term goals you might have if you pursued this.
  
  Resources: What Happens When You Start Eating Healthy? (video)

Resources

Note: This is an unofficial archive of Scouts BSA Merit Badges that was automatically extracted from the Scouting America website and may contain errors.