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Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Athletics
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Athletics is about training your body on purpose. You will pick an activity, build a program around it, stick with it for three months, and measure what changed. Along the way you will learn how to stay out of the athletic trainer's room, what a balanced diet actually looks like, and why sportsmanship matters more than the score.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Conditioning & Injury Prevention
- Sportsmanship & Athletic Rules
- Training Plans & Fitness Tracking
- Competitive Event Assessment
12Printable Pages
7Requirements
2026Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Athletics Requirements
Every requirement for the Athletics merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1Hazards and First Aid
Do the following with your counselor:
- a Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter during athletics 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 athletics events, including sprains, strains, contusions, abrasions, blisters, dehydration, heat reactions, and concussions.
2Health, Habits, and Diet
Do the following with your counselor:
- a Discuss the importance of having a physical examination each year. Discuss why overall health, immunizations, medications, allergies, and medical history are covered during an examination. Tell your counselor when you last underwent a physical examination.
- b Explain how you maintain 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.
- c Describe the elements of a nutritious, balanced diet, and explain what you do to maintain a healthy diet.
3Your Training Program
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 three months.
- b Use a chart or other tracking method 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 activity and the time of year.
- d At the end of three months, review your records from requirement 3(b), and discuss with your counselor what progress you have made during training. Tell how your development has affected you mentally and physically.
4Rules, Conditioning, and Sportsmanship
Do the following:
- a Explain 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 before and after each training session or event.
- 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 athletic activities.
5Athletic Events
Complete the activities in FOUR of the following options and show improvement over a three-month period:
6Running a Sports Meet
Do the following:
- 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.
- b With your parent or guardian'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.
7Careers and Lifestyle
Do ONE of the following:
- a Explore three careers related to athletics. Research one career area by interviewing an expert in the field, visiting a site, or using other resources. Learn about training, education, expenses, job outlook, salary, and advancement. Discuss your findings and career interest with your counselor.
- b Explore how an area of athletics could contribute to a hobby or healthy lifestyle. Research education, costs, and organizations related to this activity. Discuss your findings and goals with your counselor.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Athletics requirements in 2026. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/athletics/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
Spotted a discrepancy on this sheet? Tell us and we will re-check it against the official requirements.
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