Skip to main content

Volunteering at Scouts is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing at Scouts. Read more

Discover what this means

Hatter chatter

Use these handy prompts to kick-start a conversation about the skills needed, and rules required, for your chosen martial art.
Plan a session with this activity

Back to Activities

You’ll need

  • Scrap paper
  • Pens or pencils
  • A hat (or a bag or a bowl)

Spell it out

  1. On strips of paper, write down some questions or discussion prompts to guide individuals in explaining the skills needed, and rules required, for their chosen martial art. These could include:
  • Explain the rules of your sport in three sentences or less.
  • Talk about or show how your sport has developed your ability to focus.
  • Talk about or show how your sport has helped you become more disciplined.
  • Talk about or show how your sport has increased your ability to memorise movements.
  • Why do you think respect is important in your sport?
  • What do you think is the most important skill needed to be successful at your sport?
  • What skill(s) do you think have improved since you started training?
  • Do you know any interesting facts about your sport, or an athlete who specialises in it?

Pick and choose

  1. Place the pieces of paper into a hat, bag or bowl.
  2. Each person can select these questions or prompts to help them explain the skills and rules of their chosen sport. This isn’t a test, so everyone can pass on questions or focus the conversation on the aspects of their sport that they would like to discuss in more detail.

There may well be members of the group who do not take part in a martial art. If this is the case, open up the opportunity for them to discuss another hobby or sporting activity if the question is relevant. For example, they may play a musical instrument, or take part in online gaming.

Whilst this won’t earn them the Martial Arts Badge, they will still be involved in the activity.

Alternatively the members of the group who do not take part in sports could be the ones choosing the questions out the hat, bag or bowl.

Reflection

This activity was about sharing your knowledge of a martial art with others. Did you find talking about your chosen martial art helped you explore or understand it more? When explaining the skills and rules of your sport, do you prefer to talk about them or demonstrate them? How did it feel answering the questions without having time to prepare your answers? Were you comfortable talking in front of a large group, or would you have preferred a one-to-one conversation? How do you think this activity has increased your confidence to talk about your chosen activity in the future? Were there any preconceptions you had about your chosen martial art before you began learning it and, if so, how do they compare to what you know now?

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

Assist everyone in discussing their martial art in ways that best suit their needs. For example, someone who feels less confident speaking could do physical demonstrations or write or draw their answers.

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

Cubs Martial Arts Activity Badge
Cubs Sports Enthusiast Activity Badge

This requirement combines nicely with requirement 3, so it is worth considering merging the two together. You could hold discussions with the group before or after the exhibition.