Athletics Merit Badge Workbook
This Scoutmaster Bucky Merit Badge Workbook is based off the current Scouts BSA Requirements.
Requirement 1: Do the following:
Requirement 1 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.
Requirement 1 b: Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while participating in athletics events, including sprains, strains, contusions, abrasions, blisters, dehydration, heat reactions, and concussions.
Requirement 2: Do the following:
Requirement 2 a: Before completing requirements 3 and 5, have your health-care practitioner give you a physical examination, using the Scout medical examination form.
Requirement 2 b: Explain the importance of a physical exam.
Requirement 2 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.
Requirement 2 d: Explain the importance of maintaining a healthy diet.
Requirement 3: Select an athletic activity that interests you, then do the following:
Requirement 3 a: With guidance from your counselor, establish a personal training program suited to the activity you have chosen. Follow this training program for three months.
Requirement 3 b: Create a chart to monitor your progress during this time.
Requirement 3 c: Explain to your counselor the equipment necessary to participate in this activity and the appropriate clothing for the time of year.
Requirement 3 d: At the end of three 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.
Requirement 4: Do the following:
Requirement 4 a: Give the rules for two athletic activities, one of which is the activity you chose for requirement 3.
Requirement 4 b: Discuss the importance of warming up and cooling down.
Requirement 4 c: Explain to your counselor what an amateur athlete is and the differences between an amateur and a professional athlete.
Requirement 4 d: Discuss the traits and importance of good sportsmanship. Tell what role sportsmanship plays in both individual and group athletic activities.
Requirement 5: Complete the activities in FOUR of the following groups and show improvement over a three-month period:
Group 1: Sprinting
Group 2: Long-Distance Running
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
Group 5: Pull-Ups AND Push-Ups
Group 6: Baseball Throw
Group 7: Basketball Shooting

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 |
Group 8: Football Kick OR Soccer Kick
Goals from the 10-yard line, eight kicks | Five kicks for distance (total distance) |
Group 9: Weight Training
Chest/bench press, two sets of 15 repetitions each | Leg curls, two sets of 15 repetitions each |
Requirement 6: Do the following:
Requirement 6 a: Prepare plans for conducting a sports meet or 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.
Requirement 6 b: With your parent’s 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.
Sport Activity Organizer Name
Sport Activity Organizer Signature
Responsibilities and what was learned