Skating Merit Badge
Skating
Merit Badge
Scouting America Merit Badge Hub
Scouting America
Merit Badge Hub
Requirement Updates 2026
This Merit Badge’s Requirements have recently been updated in 2025 Scouting America Requirements (33216). Please read more about “Requirements” on the Merit Badge Hub homepage. The previous version of the Merit Badge requirements can be found in Scoutbook.
Skating Merit Badge Overview
This merit badge introduces Scouts to the exciting world of ice skating, roller skating, in-line skating, and skateboarding. In addition to being an enjoyable leisure activity that promotes fitness, there are a variety of athletic careers in skating.
Skating Merit Badge Requirements
The previous version of the Merit Badge requirements can be found in Scoutbook
The requirements will be fed dynamically using the scout book integration 108
NOTE: The official merit badge pamphlets are now free and downloadable HERE or can be purchased at the Scout Shop.
1.
Do the following:
- (a)
Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards associated with skating and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.
Resource: Skateboard Safety (website) - (b)
Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while skating, including hypothermia, frostbite, lacerations, abrasions, fractures, sprains and strains, concussions, blisters, heat-related reactions, and shock.
Resource: Skating Injuries - Types and Prevention (website)
2.
Working under the supervision of an experienced adult, do ONE of the following options.
-
Option A—Ice Skating. Do ALL of the following:
Resources: How to Play Figure Skating (video)
How to Ice Skate (video) - (1) Explain the general safety and courtesy guidelines for ice skating.
- (2)
Discuss preparations that must be taken when skating outdoors on natural ice. Explain how to make an ice rescue.
Resources: How To Know if Ice Is Safe To Walk On (video)
Ice Safety (website)
Test Ice Thickness (video)
How to Save Someone Who Falls Through Ice (video) - (3)
Discuss the parts and functions of the different types of ice skates.
Resource: Figure Skates vs. Hockey Skates (video) - (4) Describe the proper way to carry ice skates at the rink and for travel.
- (5)
Describe how to store ice skates for long periods of time, such as seasonal storage.
Resources: How Do I Store My Skates Correctly? (video)
Care for Your Ice Skates (website) - (6)
Skate forward at least 40 feet and come to a complete stop. Use either a two-foot snowplow stop or a one-foot snowplow stop.
Resource: Snowplow Stop (video) - (7)
After skating forward, glide forward on two feet, then on one foot, first right and then left.
Resource: Forward Stroking (video) - (8)
Starting from a T position, stroke forward around the test area, avoiding the use of toe picks if wearing figure skates.
Resource: Forward From a T Position (video) - (9)
Glide backward on two feet for at least two times the skater's height.
Resource: Skate Backward (video) - (10) Skate backward for at least 20 feet on two skates.
- (11)
After gaining forward speed, glide forward on two feet, making a turn of 180 degrees around a cone, first to the right and then to the left.
Resource: Turns Around a Cone (video) - (12)
Perform forward crossovers in a figure-eight pattern.
Resource: How To Do Back Crossovers in a Figure 8 (video) - (13)
Explain to your counselor the safety considerations for participating in an ice-skating race.
Resources: How Speed Skaters Stay Safe on the Ice (website)
Safety Tips: Ice Skating (website) - (14)
Perform a hockey stop.
Resource: Perform a Hockey Stop (video) - Option B—Roller Skating. Do ALL of the following:
- (1)
Explain the general safety rules and etiquette guidelines for roller skating.
Resource: Getting Started with Roller Skating (video) - (2) Discuss the parts and functions of a roller skate and their functions.
- (3) Describe five essential steps to good roller skate care.
- (4)
Skate forward with smooth, linked strokes on two feet for at least 100 feet in both directions around the rink and demonstrate proper techniques for stopping.
Resource: Skating Forward (video) - (5) Skate forward and glide at least 15 feet on one skate, then on the other skate.
- (6)
Perform a forward crossover.
Resource: Skating Crossovers (video) - (7)
Skate backward for at least 40 feet on two skates, then for at least 15 feet on one skate.
Resource: Roller Skating Backwards (video) - (8) Skate forward in a slalom pattern for at least 40 feet on two skates, then for at least 20 feet on one skate.
- (9) Skate backward in a slalom pattern for at least 15 feet on two skates.
- (10) Shuttle skate once around the rink, bending twice along the way, without stopping.
- (11)
Perform a series of two consecutive spins on skates, OR hop, skip, and jump on skates for at least 10 feet.
Resource: Roller Skating Two-Foot Spins (video) - (12) Perform a stepover.
- (13) While skating, dribble a basketball at least 40 feet, then back to your starting position, OR push a hockey ball with a stick at least 40 feet, then back to your starting position.
- Option C—In-Line Skating. Do ALL of the following:
- (1) Explain the general safety rules and courtesy guidelines for in-line skating.
- (2)
Describe the parts of an in-line skate and their functions.
Resource: Types and Parts of Inline Skates (video) - (3)
Describe the required and recommended safety equipment for in-line skating.
Resources: Safety Gear for In-Line Skating (video)
Putting on Your Protective Gear (video) - (4)
Explain four essential steps to good in-line skate care.
Resources: Maintaining and Caring for Your In-Line Skates (video)
Cleaning Your In-Line Skates (video) - (5)
Skate forward with smooth, linked strokes on two feet for at least 100 feet.
Resource: Skating Forward (video) - (6)
Skate forward and glide at least 15 feet on one skate, then on the other skate.
Resource: Gliding on One Skate (video) - (7)
Stop on command on flat pavement using the heel brake.
Resource: Braking with In-Line Skates (video) - (8)
Perform a forward crossover.
Resources: How to Turn on In-Line Skates (video)
5 Steps to the Perfect Crossover (video) - (9)
Perform a series of forward, linked swizzles for at least 40 feet.
Resource: Forward Swizzles (video) - (10)
Skate backward for at least 40 feet in a series of linked, backward swizzles.
Resource: Backward Swizzles (video) - (11)
From a strong pace, perform a lunge turn around an object predetermined by your counselor.
Resource: Maneuvering Around Objects (video) - (12)
Perform a mohawk.
Resource: Perform a Mohawk (video) - (13)
Perform a series of at least four one-footed downhill slaloms on pavement with a gentle slope.
Resource: One-Footed Slalom (video) - (14) Describe how to pass a pedestrian or another skater from behind.
- (15)
Describe at least three ways to avoid an unforeseen obstacle while skating.
Resource: In-Line Skating Safety (video) - (16)
Describe two ways to get on and off a curb, and demonstrate at least one of these methods.
Resource: Maneuvering Curbs (video) -
Option D—Skateboarding. Do ALL of the following:
Resource: Jamboree - The Park (video) - (1)
Explain the history and evolution of skateboarding.
Resources: How Has Skateboarding Changed Over the Years (video)
The Wild History of Skateboarding (video)
The Evolution of Skateboard Tricks! (video) - (2)
Describe the benefits of skateboarding (physical fitness, balance, coordination, perseverance, and creativity)
Resources: Benefits of Skateboarding (video)
Physics of Skateboarding (video) - (3)
Explain the safety rules and courtesy guidelines for skateboarding, including right-of-way and communication signals and warnings.
Resources: Skate Park Safety Rules (video)
How to Ride Skateparks for Beginners (video)
Skatepark Terrain (video)
How to Ride Safely on a Skateboard (video) - (4)
Explain the protective gear needed to skate safely, including helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards, and show how to wear them correctly.
Resource: Skateboarding Safety (website) - (5) Describe the two main styles of skateboarding (street and vert), and describe common skatepark features (ramps, manual pad, rails, spine, etc.).
- (6)
Explain skateboard anatomy (deck, trucks, wheels, hardware, etc.).
Resource: How to Select a Skateboard (video) - (7)
Build a board by assembling all pieces (deck, wheels, trucks, hardware, and grip tape) in the proper order.
Resource: How to Assemble a Skateboard (video) - (8)
Explain skateboard maintenance (cleaning, adjusting bolts, and replacing parts).
Resource: How to Maintain Your Skateboard (website) - (9)
Explain the difference between regular and goofy stance, and demonstrate your preferred stance.
Resource: Goofy vs. Regular Stance (video) - (10)
Demonstrate how to push, cruise, and carve on flat ground.
Resources: How to Push on a Skateboard (video)
How to Turn on a Skateboard (video) - (11)
Show at least two braking and stopping techniques.
Resource: How to Stop a Skateboard (video) - (12)
Do a basic ollie and at least one variation.
Resource: How to Ollie on Skateboard (video) - (13) Show how to drop-in from coping.
- (14) Demonstrate THREE skateboarding tricks from the following types:
- (a)
Flat ground tricks
Resources: Flatland Tricks (video)
How to Manual on Skateboard (video)
How to Throwdown on Skateboard (video)
How to 180 on a Skateboard (video) - (b)
Flip and shove-it tricks
Resources: Flip a Skateboard (video)
Shove-It (video) - (c)
Grind and slide tricks
Resources: Grind Tricks (video)
Doing a Slide (video) - (d)
Air and grab tricks
Resources: Frontside Air (video)
Grab Tricks (video) - (e)
Footplant tricks.
Resource: How to Boneless (video)
USA Skateboarding Sponsored Resource Videos
Requirement C
Requirement A3
Requirement D2
Requirement D3
Requirement E
Requirement E
Requirement D5
Requirement E
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