 Athletics
This Merit Badge requires 1 session to complete.
The Pathways to Eagle preparation work items for the Athletics merit badge are: 3, 5, 6
- Items in RED - MUST be completed before the session starts to make it possible to complete the merit badge at Pathways to Eagle. Bring proof of completion (item, written work, note, photo, etc.)
- Items in GREEN - Can be completed before the session starts or done during merit badge session.
- Items in BLACK - MUST be ready to demonstrate your knowledge of these requirements during the merit badge session.
Scouts are strongly encouraged to use a Merit Badge worksheet to show that they have done the preparation work for the merit badge.
Download the workbook for the
Athletics Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from the U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
Scouts MUST be able to discuss any items completed as preparation works or as written work.
Note: Some requirements contain items that fall into more that one category and are listed as the higher category.
NOTE: If meeting any of the requirements for this
merit badge is against the Scout’s religious
convictions, the requirement does not have to be
done if the Scout’s parents and the proper
religious advisors state in writing that to do
so would be against religious convictions. The
Scout’s parents must also accept full
responsibility for anything that might happen
because of this exemption. |
| a. |
Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards
you may encounter during athletic activities, and
what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards. |
| b. |
Show that you know first aid for injuries or
illnesses that could occur while participating in
athletic events, including sprains, strains,
contusions, abrasions, blisters, dehydration, and
heat reactions. |
2. |
Explain the following: |
| a. |
Before completing requirements 3 and 5, have your
health-care practitioner give you a physical
examination, using the Scout medical examination
form. |
| b. |
Explain the importance of a physical exam. |
| c. |
Explain the importance of maintaining good health
habits, especially during training—and how the use
of tobacco products, alcohol, and other harmful
substances can negatively affect your health and
your performance in athletic activities. |
| d. |
Explain the importance of maintaining a healthy
diet. |
3. |
Select an athletic activity that interests you,
then do the following: |
| a. |
With guidance from your counselor, establish a
personal training program suited to the activity
you have chosen. Follow this training program for
four months. |
| b. |
Create a chart to monitor your progress during
this time. |
| c. |
Explain to your counselor the equipment necessary
to participate in this activity and the
appropriate clothing for the time of year. |
| d. |
At the end of four months, review the chart you
created for requirement 3b, and discuss with your
counselor what progress you have made during
training. Tell how your development has affected
you mentally and physically. |
| a. |
Give the rules for two athletic activities, one of which is the activity you chose for requirement 3. |
| b. |
Discuss the importance of warming up and cooling down. |
| c. |
Explain to your counselor what an amateur athlete is and the differences between an amateur and a professional athlete. |
| d. |
Discuss the traits and importance of good sportsmanship. Tell what role sportsmanship plays in both individual and group activities. |
5. |
Complete the activities in FOUR of the following
groups and show improvement over a three month
period:
- Group 1:
Sprinting
- 100-
meter dash
- 200-
meter dash
- Group 2:
Long-Distance Running
- 3k
run
- 5k
run
- Group 3:
Long Jump OR High Jump
- Running long jump OR running high jump (best
of three
tries)
- Standing long jump OR standing high jump
(best of three
tries)
- Group 4:
Swimming
- 100-
meter swim
- 200-
meter swim
- Group 5:
Pull-Ups AND Push-Ups
- Pull-ups in two minutes
- Push-ups in two minutes
- Group 6:
Baseball Throw
- Baseball throw for accuracy, 10 throws at a
target (distance to be determined by age): ages
11 to 12, 20 feet; ages 13 to 15, 30 feet; ages
16 to 17, 40 feet
- Baseball throw for distance, five throws
(total
distance)
- Group 7:
Basketball Shooting
- Basketball shot for accuracy, 10 free-throw
shots
- Basketball throw for skill and agility, the
following shots as shown on the diagram
- Left-side layup
- Right-side layup
- Left side of hoop, along the key line
- Right side of hoop, along the key line
- Where key line and free-throw line meet,
left side
- Where key line and free-throw line meet,
right side
- Top of the key
- Anywhere along the three-point line.
- Group 8:
Football Kick OR Soccer Kick
- Goals from the 10-yard line, eight
kicks
- Football kick or soccer kick for distance,
five
kicks (total distance)
- Group 9:
Weight Training
- Chest/bench press, two sets of 15
repetitions each
- Leg curls, two sets of 15 repetitions
each
|
| a. |
Prepare plans for conducting a sports meet or a field day that includes 10 activities, at least five of which must come from the groups mentioned in requirement 5. Outline the duties of each official needed and list the equipment the meet will require. |
| b. |
With your parents and counselor's approval, serve as an official or volunteer at a sports meet to observe officials in action. Tell your counselor about your responsibilities at the meet and discuss what you learned. |
|
The requirements listed on this web site are believed to be correct.
The official requirements can be found in the current edition of
"Boy Scout Requirements Book 2026"
Download the workbook for the
Athletics Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from, The U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
|
