Soccer Shoes and Cleats: Winning Traction and Control on Artificial Turf, Indoors and Outdoors

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 avid player on the go, there are factors to consider when purchasing 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 brief guide provides you with answers to these questions. After all, success on the field will come from examining the greatest soccer player’s greatest weapon: his feet.

Know the Regulations of your League

Leagues require that you wear the proper soccer shoes or cleats during practice and play. You can check with your local league manager or association for more details. Also, take your coach’s suggestions on the right footwear for your practice range and find out if any league regulations are in the process of being changed. Before spending a fortune on your soccer shoes, 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 studs, studs, 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.”
• Boys’ and Girls’ Youth Soccer: The standard rules for youth soccer confirm that bolt-on cleats and cleats from other sports cannot be used. Also, metal studs are not allowed for safety reasons.

Shoe construction and materials

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

• Rubber or TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane, a highly elastic plastic) produces superior traction that is especially good for grass pitches. This is the most common material in soccer shoes due to its ability to prevent slipping.
• Leather provides breathability, strength, 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 typically include a water treatment to help the cleats last longer in poor playing conditions, including wet grass fields.

Youth Soccer Cleats

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

Although a teenager or teenager is still growing, buy a shoe that fits well. A shoe that is too big can cause blisters and sprained ankles. A snug fit is the right fit, and when the shoe size is too small, buy the next size up so it doesn’t affect foot growth. To get the correct size first, try on soccer shoes with soccer socks and shin guards to ensure a proper fit. Shoes should be snug at the top as this will allow for better control of the ball when passing, dribbling and shooting. As shoes wear, the uppers stretch and become more comfortable. Keep in mind that leather stretches and then molds to the foot, so this is a good option for foot growth 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 BeckhamWomen’s soccer is also equally represented by soccer stars known for their agility. In order to achieve the skillful advantage necessary for our soccer heroes’ success, both male and female players need soccer cleats that maximize mobility and provide full foot protection. Generally, soccer cleats tend to be narrower than other types of sports shoes and this favors greater control of the ball. To ensure you get that winning support when shopping for a new pair, lace up your shoes well and walk to make sure the inside seams don’t chafe your foot but instead fit snugly. Since having the right shoe will be a male or female player’s best friend on the field, new technological advances give us the ability to deliver 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 that’s 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 types of fields and various conditions. They are designed for all surfaces and allow you to keep your balance while making quick turns so you can possess the ball with ease. 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 rubber or plastic. 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. Wipers are made of harder polyurethane on the tip for durability. Softer studs are in the sole and the base of the studs to put less pressure on the foot.

Soft Ground/Removable Soccer Cleats

The intermediate to advanced soccer player can play these on soft surfaces. In fact, they are better 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 bottom cleats can be screwed on and easily removed and replaced, and players can choose between metal or plastic cleats. The uprights are designed to be widely spaced to prevent mud build-up. Most models have four studs under the ball of the foot and two to four studs under the heel.

futsal shoes

Flat top sole 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 lighter 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 ground studs

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

artificial grass shoes

For artificial turf, studless shoes have specialized rubber soles designed for playing futsal 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 field of play, so look for a style and colors that reflect your personality. Some cleats have a new cleat shape that allows for more stability and better lateral movement. For this sport of focus, precision, teamwork and speed, your soccer shoes or cleats will give you the dexterity needed to succeed, and these new technologies and materials will maximize your mobility and provide excellent foot protection. Now he’s out on the field to break new cues and break old records!

(c) 2012 Elizabeth McMillian