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Athletics Scoutcraft Badge

From SCOUTS South Africa Wiki

Athletics develops the physical skills needed for many Scouting adventures. The Athletics Scoutcraft Badge introduces you to running, jumping, and throwing while teaching you how to train safely and care for your body. You will learn the importance of pacing yourself, setting goals, and improving through practice. The focus is on participation, developing good technique, and discovering which events you enjoy. By completing this badge, you will gain confidence in your abilities and understand how athletics supports fitness, teamwork, and a healthy, active lifestyle.

Badge Requirements

Athletics
Athletics
  1. Warm-Up & Safety Basics
    1. Explain and demonstrate a proper warm-up routine of at least 5 minutes (e.g. dynamic stretches, light jogging) and a cool-down of at least 3 minutes.
    2. Show that you understand why warm-up and cool-down are important in athletics.
  2. Running Style
    Demonstrate correct posture, arm drive and foot landing during running and walking. Demonstrate the correct way of starting a race.
  3. Scout's Pace and Endurance Run
    1. Demonstrate "Scout's Pace" over a distance of one kilometre without stopping - Scout's Pace is walking fifty paces followed by running fifty paces.
    2. Complete a continuous cross-country run over open terrain (not on a road or track) covering a minimum distance of three kilometres. There is no set time limit, but you should aim to maintain a steady running pace without stopping for the entire distance.
    3. Record your approximate time and discuss with your Examiner what you learned about pacing, endurance, and what you might improve next time.
  4. Rules of Athletics
    Discuss with the Examiner the basic rules for FIVE of the following events:
    • Sprints – foundation for speed, technique, and running form.
    • Hurdles – builds coordination and rhythm on top of sprinting.
    • Middle and Long Distance – pacing, endurance, and stamina.
    • Relays – teamwork, baton skills, and coordination.
    • Road Walk – introduces technique, endurance, and discipline.
    • Cross Country Run – endurance, terrain adaptation, and stamina.
    • Standing Long Jump – jumping power and take-off coordination.
    • Running High Jump – approach, timing, and technique.
    • Shot-put – basic throwing strength and technique.
    • Discus – control, rotation, and throwing coordination.
    • Javelin – advanced coordination, timing, and safety awareness.
  5. Sprinting Fundamentals
    1. Run a 60–100 metre sprint from a standing start. Time your run, then attempt to improve your time (or maintain a consistent performance) in a second run.
    2. Demonstrate correct sprint start and running technique.
    3. Explain one key technical point (e.g. arm action, driving knees, posture).
  6. Middle and Long Distance Running Fundamentals
    1. Run a middle or long-distance event suited to your ability — 400m, 800m, or 1500m.
    2. Run the distance at a steady pace, record your time, then repeat the run after practice and aim to improve your time or maintain a consistent pace.
    3. Afterwards, explain to the Examiner how pacing and breathing differ from sprinting and describe one thing that helped you improve or made the second run feel easier.
  7. Jumping Fundamentals - Long Jump or High Jump
    1. Choose ONE jumping event — either the long jump, the standing long jump or the running high jump.
    2. Learn and demonstrate the correct approach, take-off, flight, and landing techniques for your chosen event.
    3. Clear a distance or height appropriate to your ability (set by examiner). Practise at least three jumps, measuring each attempt, and record your best result.
    4. Afterwards, discuss with your Examiner one way you could improve your jump through technique or preparation.
  8. Throwing Fundamentals – Shot-put, Discus, and Javelin
    1. Choose ONE throwing event — shot-put, discus, or javelin (or a safe equivalent practice implement).
    2. Learn and demonstrate the correct grip, stance, and throwing technique for your chosen event.
    3. Practise at least three throws, measuring the distance of each, and record your best throw.
    4. Afterwards, explain to the Examiner one key safety rule and one technique tip that helped you improve your performance.
  9. Personal Progress Log & Reflection
    1. Maintain a personal athletics progress log over a four-week period during which you take part in athletics activities. These activities may be done with your Patrol, Troop, school, or independently. Participation in a formal school or club athletics programme is encouraged where available but not required to complete this badge.
    2. Record your performances for at least THREE events (for example, one sprint, one jump, and one throw) at the start and end of the period and note any practices or improvements in between.
    3. Include comments on what you learnt each week — such as technique improvements, challenges faced, or tips that helped you perform better.
    4. At the end of the 4-week period, present your log to your Examiner and discuss the following:
      • What you enjoyed most,
      • What you learnt about your strengths,
      • What you found challenging,
      • How your performance changed over the 4 weeks, and
      • How you plan to keep improving.

Recommended Age Range: The Athletics Scoutcraft Badge is recommended for Scouts aged 11 to 13 years who are developing their coordination, strength, and stamina. It introduces athletics through fun, practical activities that focus on learning correct techniques, building confidence, and improving personal performance rather than competition. It prepares Scouts for more advanced physical challenges and is a prerequisite to the Athlete Scout Interest Badge at the next level.

Note: Participation in a formal school or club athletics programme is encouraged where available but not required to complete this badge.

Badge Examiner: Training and examination for this badge should be conducted by a suitably qualified individual who has relevant experience or formal training in the specific field of expertise being assessed. The ideal Examiner should be a qualified athletics coach, school PE teacher, or sports instructor. Alternatively, an experienced Scout Scouter with a strong athletics background. They should be able to demonstrate correct techniques, ensure safety, measure, and record performances accurately, and provide constructive feedback to help Scouts improve their skills.

Safe From Harm: Whilst completing the requirements for this badge, Scouts must not be placed in hazardous or dangerous situations under any circumstances. All activities must comply with SCOUTS South Africa Safe from Harm framework and be supervised by responsible adults. Participation should offer meaningful learning or service experiences while ensuring the Scout's safety and well-being at all times.

Badge Requirements in printable PDF format

Next Steps - Where This Badge Leads

Completion of this badge is required for the following Scoutcraft and/or Interest Badges:

Last Update

November 2025


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