Fulfills Step 4 of GSUSA Junior Practice with Purpose badge requirements.
Info Needed for Badge Requirements:
Drills help scouts improve specific skills in their chosen sport or activity. Practicing drills regularly builds strength, coordination, and confidence over time.
Items Needed:
- Laptop, tablet, or phone with internet access
- Wi-Fi or cable connection
- Paper (one sheet per scout)
- Pens or pencils
- Open space for movement (indoors or outdoors)
Instructions (Total Estimated Time: 30 minutes):
- Choose a Skill to Practice (5 minutes)
- Scouts choose one skill they want to improve that connects to their personal movement or sport goal
- Examples: running faster, improving balance, dribbling, throwing, or core strength
- Scouts choose one skill they want to improve that connects to their personal movement or sport goal
- Find a Drill for the Skill (5–7 minutes)
- Scouts use a device to look up a kid-friendly drill for the skill they chose
- They may search on their own or pick from a pre-approved list (See suggestions below)
- Scouts write down the drill name, movement steps, and how it builds their skill
- Practice the Drill (12–15 minutes)
- Scouts try their chosen drill for a short session, three rounds if applicable
- If in groups, scouts take turns coaching and encouraging each other with reminders about safe form
- Solo scouts may use a mirror, timer, or video to check their progress and pacing
- Reflect on Progress (3–5 minutes)
- Scouts discuss or write:
- What skill did you practice today?
- How did your movement change after trying it a few times?
- What will you keep practicing to get stronger or faster?
- Scouts discuss or write:
Kid-Friendly Drills for Strength and Sports Skills
These are great for scouts working on strength, coordination, or sport-specific goals.
| Drill Name | Skill Focus | Trusted Source | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hopscotch Ladder Drill | Footwork & agility | ActiveKids | Jump in and out of ladder boxes or chalk squares to build coordination |
| Windsprints | Speed & endurance | ActiveKids | Sprint to different court lines and back to build stamina |
| 5-10-5 Shuffles | Lateral movement | ActiveKids | Quick side shuffles to improve agility and balance |
| Jump Rope Variations | Cardio & rhythm | ActiveKids | Try two-foot jumps, single-leg hops, or crossovers for fun conditioning |
| Plank to Squat | Core & leg strength | ActiveKids | Jump from plank to squat and back to build full-body strength |
| Split Jacks | Leg power & coordination | ActiveKids | Jump-switch lunges with arm swings to boost balance and control |
| Youth Sport Video Drills | Multi-sport skills | National Academy of Athletics | Free video library with drills for basketball, soccer, and more |
These drills should be easy to follow and can be done at home, in a troop meeting, or outdoors.
The Badge Archive 