Sports is about staying active, playing fair, and getting better at something you enjoy. You will learn how to train safely, take care of your body, and track your progress in two sports. It's a great way to set goals and see yourself improve.
Why it's worth it
Sports is about more than winning. On this badge you'll learn how athletes train, eat, and recover, and you'll set real goals in two sports you choose and watch yourself get better. Those habits of practicing, tracking, and handling losses with good sportsmanship help in school, jobs, and friendships. And you'll know how to keep yourself and teammates safe while you play.
Start this week
- Choose two sports you already enjoy or want to learn, and write down one goal for each.
- Ask your Scoutmaster for the name of a Sports counselor, and send them a short message with a parent copied to set up a first meeting.
- Start a simple training log in a notebook or on a calendar so you can track practices from day one.
- Ask a coach or PE teacher to show you a good warm-up for each of your sports.
Plan ahead: Requirement 5 asks you to train and track progress, which takes time to show results. Make your plan with your counselor in requirement 4 early, then start your log right away.
Stay safe
- Wear the protective gear your sport calls for, and if you hit your head and feel dizzy, confused, or sick, stop playing and tell your coach or a parent.
Requirements · 6
Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab).
Note: Activities used for this badge can't also count toward other merit badges
- Requirement 1
Sports safety and first aid
Tips for this section: Think about injuries common in the sports you play and the first aid you'd give.
- Requirement 1a
Explain to your counselor the risks you're most likely to face in sports and how to anticipate, prevent, reduce, and respond to them
- Requirement 1b
Show you know first aid for sports injuries, including blisters, scrapes (abrasions), bruises (contusions), cramps, sprains, strains, fractures, injured teeth, dehydration, heat reactions, concussions, and head, neck, and back injuries
- Requirement 2
Health and fitness
Tips for this section: Talk with a parent about the last physical exam you had, and think about what you eat before a game.
Example for this section: Explain what a sports physical checks, like heart, lungs, and joints, and why it matters before a season. Then describe a day of eating that fuels you, like oatmeal before practice and water instead of soda during games.
- Requirement 2a
Explain why a physical exam is important
- Requirement 2b
Explain why lifelong good health habits like regular exercise matter, and how tobacco, alcohol, and other harmful substances hurt your health and sports performance
- Requirement 2c
Explain why a healthy diet is important
- Requirement 3
Training and sportsmanship
Tips for this section: Ask your coach to show you good warm-ups, and talk about what fair play means to you.
Example for this section: Show a warm-up for your sport, like jogging, leg swings, and high knees, and explain why it's better than just stretching cold. Share an example of good sportsmanship you saw, like helping up an opponent.
- Requirement 3a
Discuss why warming up and cooling down matter
- Requirement 3b
Discuss why weight training matters
- Requirement 3c
Discuss what makes an athlete an amateur and how amateurs differ from professionals
- Requirement 3d
Discuss the qualities of a good sport, why sportsmanship matters, and what makes a good team leader and player who shows Scout spirit on and off the field
- Requirement 4
Pick TWO sports from this list: badminton, baseball, basketball, bowling, cross-country, diving, field hockey, flag football, flag team, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, spirit/cheerleading, swimming, table tennis, tackle football, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo, or wrestling — or another recognized sport your counselor preapproves, never one Scouting America bans. Discuss with your counselor how you'll do 5a–5h in each. Each sport needs regular practice and at least four officiated, scored games, meets, or matches against other competitors
Tip: Choose two sports you enjoy and meet with your counselor to make a plan.
For example: Your plan might be: for soccer, improve your weaker-foot passing; for swimming, take 10 seconds off a 100-yard time. List how often you'll practice and how you'll measure progress.
- Requirement 5
Your season in two sports
Tips for this section: Keep a simple log of your practices and improvements, and show your skills to your counselor.
Example for this section: Use a log with columns for date, what you practiced, and a measurement like free throws made out of 20 or your mile time. Bring it to your counselor and show the skills you've improved.
- Requirement 5a
With your counselor's help, set up a personal training plan and follow it for your whole competition season (or three months)
- Requirement 5b
Make a chart or other tracker and record your training, practice, and progress during that time
- Requirement 5c
Show correct technique for playing each sport well and avoiding injury
- Requirement 5d
List and describe the equipment each sport needs, including protective gear and any special clothing
- Requirement 5e
List and explain each sport's rules and etiquette
- Requirement 5f
Draw a diagram of each sport's playing area and explain it
- Requirement 5g
Compete in each sport as an individual or on an organized team for one season (or three months)
- Requirement 5h
When the season ends, review your finished chart with your counselor and discuss how playing these sports has affected you mentally and physically
- Requirement 6
Sports after the season. Choose 1 of 2
Tips for this section: Ask a coach, trainer, or sports reporter how they made sports part of their work.
- Requirement 6a
Name three careers that use sports skills or knowledge. Research one: training, education, certification, experience, costs, job outlook, starting pay, and advancement. Discuss what you found with your counselor and whether it interests you
- Requirement 6b
Find ways sports skills could support a hobby or healthy lifestyle. Research the extra training, costs, and organizations that would help you get the most from it. Discuss with your counselor, including your short- and long-term goals
Places to visit
Ask an adult to set it up, and go with your family, den, patrol, or crew.
A high school or college team practice
Watching how teams warm up, drill, and coach each other shows what good training looks like.
How: Have a parent or leader contact the coach or athletic department and ask if your patrol can watch a practice.
A recreation center or community sports league
Staff and referees can explain rules, safety, and how leagues are run.
How: Have a parent ask the recreation center about youth programs or whether a referee could talk with your group.
Where it can lead
- CoachTeaches skills and teamwork at schools, clubs, and colleges.
- Athletic trainerPrevents and treats injuries for teams; requires a college degree and certification.
- Physical education teacherHelps students stay active and learn sports skills.
- Sports official or refereeEnforces rules in games; many start refereeing youth games as teens.
- Sports journalist or broadcasterReports on games and athletes in writing, audio, or video.
Ask yourself
- Why did you choose these two sports, and what do you hope to get better at?
- What was the hardest part of sticking to your training plan?
- How do you handle it when you lose or make a mistake in front of others?
- Who helped you improve, and how could you help a teammate in return?
- What did tracking your progress show you that you didn't expect?
Good questions to ask a coach or athletic trainer
- What's the most common injury you see, and how can players prevent it?
- How do you help someone who's discouraged after a bad game?
- What does good sportsmanship look like when nobody is watching?
- How should training change during the season and off-season?
- How did you turn sports into part of your career?
Helpful reads
- Earning a merit badge, step by step, From picking a badge to getting the final signature: how to find a counselor, set up meetings safely, work the requirements, and keep your progress., Youth · Families · 6 min read
- Contacting counselors, experts, and organizations, Email and phone scripts, who to ask for, how to follow up, and how to say thanks, with a parent copied every time., Youth · Families · 7 min read
- Choosing your next merit badge, How to pick a badge you'll actually finish: start with what you care about, balance Eagle-required and just-for-fun badges, and make the most of camp., Youth · Families · 6 min read
For leaders & parents
- Encourage scouts to pick sports they already play so practice fits into their schedule.
- Help scouts set realistic training goals and check in on their progress.
People & places that can help
- Merit badge counselor — Talk with them early; they can explain what's expected.
- School coach or PE teacher — Can help with training plans and skills.
- Local recreation center — Offers leagues and facilities for practice.
- Positive Coaching Alliance (opens in a new tab) — Ideas for being a great teammate and handling pressure in sports.
- USADA (opens in a new tab) — How athletes stay healthy and compete fairly, including nutrition tips.
Pairs well with
Helps you earn
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Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.