Winning in soccer starts with your feet! What’s on your feet? Whether you need soccer shoes or soccer cleats for the men’s, women’s, or youth divisions, or you’re a beginner or a keen player on the road, there are factors to consider when shopping for soccer shoes or cleats. In particular, what kind of traction and control do you get, and what are the types of courses you’ll be playing on? This short guide provides answers to these questions. After all, success on the field will come from examining the biggest weapon of the greatest soccer player: his feet.

Know the Regulations of your League

Leagues require you to wear the proper soccer shoes or cleats during practice and play. You can check with your coach or local league association for more details. Also, take your coach’s suggestions for the right shoe for your practice field and find out if any league regulations are in the process of being changed. Before you spend a pretty penny on your soccer cleats, check your league’s regulations regarding shoes and the main ones are summarized here:

• The National Collegiate Athletic Association: “Shoes shall be worn by all participants in a game. Shoes with soles containing aluminum, leather, rubber, nylon, or plastic cleats, cleats, or bars, whether molded as part of the sole or removable, they are allowed as long as the referee does not deem them dangerous. The NCAA allows metal soccer cleats in addition to soft or hard rubber cleats.”
• High School Soccer – Each state, local section, and league creates some unique rules. The National Federation of State High School Associations sets a rule that they generally accept and enforce. It says: “The bottom edge of the cleat cannot be higher than two inches above the ankle.”
• Men’s and Women’s Youth Soccer: The standard rules for youth soccer confirm that no screw-on cleats or cleats from other sports may be used. Also, metal studs are not allowed for safety reasons.

Shoe construction and materials

With the worldwide popularity of soccer and the game’s strong competition, the research and development of better soccer shoes is always ongoing. The result is shoes that are a perfect combination of improved features and new technologies. Its main construction materials are:

• Rubber or TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane, a highly elastic plastic) produces superior traction that is especially good for turf playing fields. This is the most common material in soccer shoes due to its ability to prevent slipping.
• Leather provides breathability, resistance and durability to soccer shoes. Soft leather provides a comfortable feel when dribbling or shooting the ball. Comfort and fit increase with each use. Leather is extremely flexible and absorbs more water and moisture than synthetic shoes.
• Synthetic blends are great for all levels of soccer, and shoes made from them are easy to clean and dry. These types of shoes usually include a water treatment to help the studs last longer in poor playing conditions, including wet grass pitches.

Youth Soccer Shoes

Young footballers need a shoe that provides ventilation, durability and a feeling of stability and protection. Youth should choose molded cleats for safety reasons, since the sole of the shoe is rubber, not metal. So check out soles for regulation rubber studs that provide traction and stability.

Although a teenager or teenager is still growing, buy a shoe that fits him well. A shoe that is too big can cause blisters and sprained ankles. A tight fit is the correct fit, and when the shoe size is too small, please buy the next size up so that it does not affect the growth of the feet. To get the correct size first try on your soccer cleats with soccer socks and shin guards to ensure a proper fit. Shoes should be snug at the top, as this will allow for better ball control when passing, dribbling, and shooting. As shoes wear, the upper stretches and becomes more comfortable. Keep in mind that leather stretches and then molds to the foot, so this is a good option for growing feet and stability.

Soccer shoes for men and women

Men’s soccer has produced many stars known for their speed and power. Even before the popular movie, I want to be like Beckham, women’s soccer is also equally represented by soccer stars known for their agility. In order to achieve the skillful edge necessary for the success of our soccer heroes, both male and female players need soccer cleats that maximize mobility and provide complete foot protection. Generally, soccer cleats tend to be narrower than other types of sports shoes and this favors greater ball control. To ensure you get that winning support when shopping for a new pair, lace up your shoes well and walk around to make sure the internal seams don’t chafe your foot but rather fit snug. Since having the right shoe will be a male or female player’s best ally on the pitch, new technological advances give us the ability to provide soccer cleats that have superior traction and control without sacrificing speed or flexibility.

The world of soccer shoes has evolved and whether you play indoors, outdoors or on artificial turf, there are soccer shoes that are right for your feet with a fit crucial to your performance. Here is a brief guide to the types of soccer shoes geared towards the various surfaces the game is played on:

Firm Ground/Molded Soccer Cleats

These shoes are perfect for beginning and advanced soccer players as they are versatile for most pitch types and various conditions. They are designed for all surfaces and allow you to maintain your balance while making quick turns so you can easily possess the ball. It forms at the bottom to help provide traction and control. Cleats come in different patterns, but the cleats themselves are always made of non-removable hard plastic or rubber. They work well on a traditional grass field and turf. The non-removable molded studs are circular or leaf shaped and these shoes have 10-14 of these individual studs in critical locations for pivot and traction. Cleaners are harder polyurethane at the tip for durability. Softer studs are on the sole and stud base to put less pressure on the foot.

Removable/Soft Ground Soccer Cleats

The intermediate to advanced soccer player can play these on soft surfaces. In fact, they are best for more experienced players who can adapt the removable studs to their playing field and weather conditions. Removable studs allow players to adjust their length based on how muddy the course is and how slippery the conditions are. The studs on the bottom can be screwed on and easily removed and replaced, and players can choose between metal or plastic studs. The studs are designed to be widely spaced to prevent mud buildup. Most models have four studs under the ball of the foot and two to four studs under the heel.

futsal shoes

Flat-soled shoes provide increased grip and traction, and foot control and traction for lateral cuts and pivots. Speed, traction and ball control are important for the indoor game. These shoes have a lightweight construction and this allows for a good feel for both the turf and the ball when passing or shooting. The indoor game involves a lot of quick side-to-side cuts, and the lightest shoes are essential for these moves. The shoes are durable, with real leather or synthetic leather uppers and strong stitching designed to withstand regular contact with the ball and other impacts.

hard floor studs

Hard ground cleats work best on a hard, dry grass field or synthetic grass. They give players superior traction and are most useful in dry conditions when fields may not be irrigated properly. They feature round molded plastic cleats that are much shorter and have more cleats than firm ground cleats. The studs on these studs rest on top of the playing surface to provide traction without digging into the ground. Hard ground cleats typically have a dozen or so shorter circular studs with a cluster of four near the toes, four between the ball of the foot and the arches, and four on the heels.

artificial grass shoes

For artificial turf, cleats have specialized rubber soles designed for indoor soccer or playing on artificial turf. The shoes contain various raised patterns on the bottom instead of studs. These are generally good training shoes that can be a backup game pair for hard surface conditions.

In short, your soccer shoes and soccer cleats are an extension of you on the pitch, so look for a style and colors that reflect your personality. Some studs have a new stud shape that allows for greater stability and better lateral movement. For this sport of concentration, precision, teamwork and speed, your soccer shoes or cleats will give you the dexterity to succeed, and these new technologies and materials will maximize your mobility and provide excellent foot protection. Now he’s on the field to break new cues and break old records!

(c) 2012 Elizabeth McMillian