Badge: Soccer

AGE LEVEL: Juniors

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Having girls start at an early age to develop life long healthy living habits is important. This patch program will give girls a chance to focus on soccer and learn an appreciation for it.

BADGE ACTIVITIES: Complete 6 activities, including the one starred.

1. ***Learn the rules of soccer and identify the field positions. Then practice playing different field positions. Learn communication languages, verbal and non-verbal, that are used on the soccer field between players during a game.
    
2. Practice the following:
   a. Dribbling the ball (with all the major surfaces of the foot).
   b. Passing the ball.
   c. Trapping the ball with the thigh, chest and foot.
   d. Heading the ball.
   e. Shooting the ball.
   f. Throwing in the ball.
    
3. Demonstrate that you know the meaning of the following terms:
   a. Kick-off
   b. Goal Kick
   c. Corner Kick
   d. Dropball
   e. Offside
    
4. Good "warm-ups" help prevent injuries. Learn about warm-up exercises and practice two warm-up techniques for 2 or 3 times a week for 3 weeks.
    
5. Soccer is good exercise and is a part of Physical Education Foundation Classes. Determine what makes soccer good exercise by learning about and identifying two soccer activities that could become a foundation for a health and fitness program.
    
6. Sports injuries occur in all sports.
   a. Make a list of equipment and clothes needed to protect a player.
   b. Find out which type of injuries most commonly occur during soccer practice or soccer games. c. Practice caring for an injury using "R.I.C.E.” -- Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.
   Ice is applied 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off the injured area with a layer of cloth between an ice bag and the skin until the swelling is reduced. Always consult your family physician about any serious injury. For a wound that is bleeding, the adult first aider or the team coach would clean and bandage the wound before a player is allowed to return to a game.
   d. Be able to discuss what to do for yourself if you are injured during practice or a game.
   e. How may soccer related injuries be prevented? Discuss preventative measures with your coach or other soccer consultant.
    
7. What are the differences between outdoor and indoor soccer? Participate in practices and/or games during an outdoor or indoor soccer league for one season or in an outdoor or indoor soccer tournament or at Girl Scout soccer camp using the skills you have learned.
    
8. Watch an outdoor or indoor soccer match at a soccer field or on television. Listen to the communication between the players as the game goes on. Watch for the players to perform at least 3 skills you have been practicing. List the skills you have identified and share it with your team or group.
    
9. Find out the difference between recreational and competitive soccer.
   What are the benefits of playing soccer while you are growing up?
   What are the benefits of playing soccer as you get into high school? College?
   Are there outdoor and indoor soccer leagues for adults in your area?
   What are the benefits of playing soccer as you get older?
   What role does the coach, referee and linesman play during a game?
    
10. A soccer field may hold hazards for players. There may be rocks, litter, glass, aluminum cans, orange peels or other objects on your playing field. Arrange for your soccer team to check your practice field or your game playing field for hazards and remove the objects with the help of adults.
     
11. Locate another Girl Scout troop and talk with the girls about your experience as a soccer player. Share a skills game (soccer drill) you have learned or help them with their soccer techniques.
     
    -OR-
     
    Read about the history of soccer and make a display, poster or picture about soccer. Share it with the girls in your troop. Tell them about your experience as a soccer player. Let them know how you are making your individual interests part of your Girl Scout experience.
     
12. Learn about the right foods to eat to "fuel" your "engine" for playing sports. Plan a menu for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack for the day before a game and the day of a soccer game.
    Menu planning:

    "Food for Fitness" is an important part of an athlete's lifestyle. An athlete should eat a properly balanced diet, drink fluids and be aware of her food needs before and after games. The food pyramid shows the proper balance of foods to build a healthy body. Soccer players should eat a little extra from the bread and cereals and fruits portions on the food pyramid the night before a soccer game, for breakfast before a soccer game, and after the game is played.

    Why? Soccer athletes need high energy foods which come from carbohydrates to give them the energy their body needs for the duration of the game. Candy and donuts give quick energy but not lasting energy, and then you get tired and cannot last the entire game. Pop and salty foods make you perspire and then you lose water that you need to keep playing the game. You need to eat the right "fuel" to keep your "engine" running.

PURCHASE BADGES: You may order these badges through the GSWW store.