Sports Merit Badge

1. Sports risks and sports injuries Requirement

Two parts.

The badge page states: "The activities used to fulfill the requirements for the Sports merit badge may not be used to help fulfill requirements for other merit badges."

2 parts

• 1(a). The most likely risks in sports, and what to do about them
• 1(b). First aid for sports injuries

2. The physical exam, health habits and diet Requirement

Explain (a) the importance of the physical exam; (b) good health habits for life, such as exercising regularly, and how tobacco, alcohol and other harmful substances can affect your health and performance in sports; (c) a healthy diet.

3. Warming up, weight training, amateurs and sportsmanship Requirement

Discuss (a) warming up and cooling down; (b) weight training; (c) what an amateur athlete is, and how amateurs and professionals differ; (d) the qualities of a good sport, sportsmanship, and the traits of a good team leader and player who shows Scout spirit on and off the field.

4. Choose two sports, and plan requirement 5 with your counselor Often forgotten Requirement

Discuss how you will complete 5(a) to 5(h) for each sport. Each must include regular practice and at least four structured, officiated, scored games, meets or contests.

5. A season in each of your two sports Requirement

Eight parts, (a) to (h), for each sport.

Usually comes after 4. Choose two sports, and plan requirement 5 with your counselor.

One season, or three months, for each sport. The training program in 5(a) and the chart in 5(b) run throughout it, and 5(h) comes at the end. Start the chart when the season starts, because it documents the whole period.

8 parts

• 5(a). Set up a personal training program
• 5(b). Keep a chart of your training, practice and development Often forgotten
• 5(c). Demonstrate proper technique
• 5(d). The equipment each sport needs
• 5(e). The rules and etiquette of each sport
• 5(f). A diagram of the playing area
• 5(g). Take part in each sport for a season
• 5(h). At the end of the season, share your chart and how you were affected Often forgotten Usually comes after 5(b). Keep a chart of your training, practice and development and 5(g). Take part in each sport for a season.

6. Career or hobby. Do ONE Requirement

The badge states the choice.

2 parts

• 6(a). Three careers related to a sport, one researched Optional May not apply
• 6(b). A sport as a personal hobby or healthy lifestyle Optional May not apply

Counselor signs it off Milestone

The completion date is the date you met the requirements, not the date of the signature.

Usually comes after 1. Sports risks and sports injuries, 2. The physical exam, health habits and diet and 4 others.

Merit badge requirements are republished annually. A Scout beginning work uses the requirements as they stand then; a Scout already working may finish under the ones they started with. Guide to Advancement 7.0.4.3 governs which applies. This page records the date its copy was read. Check it against the official page before relying on it.