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A Step In the Right Direction

Picking the right football shoes. Your players’ cleat selection can make a big difference in field performance
by: Scott Kraft
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It’s the important question every coach asks when he steps onto an unfamiliar field or playing surface: What kind of cleats should the players wear?

It’s a great question. The right footwear decision can have a significant impact on player endurance, mobility, speed and agility. Being able to maintain performance at the highest level in those four areas could be the difference between making a tackle and missing a tackle; between getting to the end zone or being brought down short; between making the catch on a long pass play or having the ball roll off the tips of your receiver’s fingertips before falling harmlessly on the playing field – harmlessly for the defense, anyway.

But finding the right pair of cleats for each player on your squad takes more than just finding the right cleat for the right playing surface. It’s about finding the cleat that enables the best output from the player’s foot – and the player’s body.

In our look at cleats, we won’t tell you that one shoe is better than another, because everyone’s foot is different, and everyone’s situation is different. Instead, we’ll talk about the various conditions your team might encounter, and the types of cleats that will work best based on the player’s weight and position, the type of surface where the game is being played, and other factors to consider when a player decides what type of cleat works best.
Nike Air Zoom Apocalypse – top of the line Nike Football cleat for the serious performer from the pros to high school athlete. Added support comes from a TPU cage around the midfoot while added cushioning comes from the Zoom Air cushioning. With the detachable cleats players are ready for a variety of fields. Comes in 3/4 design. Nike Super Speed D – low and 3/4 – Made for all levels of play, upper is noticeably lightweight and outsole has detachable cleats. A true performance football shoe.

Types of Cleats

Cleats come in three basic types:

Detachable, Molded and Turf. High school players who play most of the season on grass will opt for either detachable or molded shoes. Detachable shoes offer more flexibility because the cleat in the shoe can be changed to suit the conditions. If it’s wet, players can take out the half-inch cleats in each of the football shoes and replace them.

Usually, the top selling replacement cleat length is three-quarter inches, even though they’re not legal. It’s probably one of the least enforced rules in football, mainly because so many teams use the longer cleat length when necessary. It’s worth noting, however, that the longer spikes should be used at your own peril, and with recognition of any possible penalties for being caught.

The turf shoe is just that, designed for use on artificial turf. High school players who play their entire regular season on grass are sometimes scrambling for the turf shoe in state tournament games held on neutral site fields. It has no spikes.

A review of the types of cleats available:

Detachable: The most popular cleats because they are the most versatile. The standard cleat length is one-half inch. These cleats perform the best on wet surfaces, or in normal conditions where the grass is not too firm. For heavier players, the detachable cleat is sometimes not the best cleat because it does not absorb the player’s weight as well as the molded cleats.

The lengths of the cleats can be changed by simply removing the cleats in the bottom of the football shoe by screwing them out, and screwing in the replacement cleats. The other primary length is three-fourths of an inch, though others are available.

Molded: The cleats on these football shoes are non-removable and are most effective on hard ground football fields. They absorb the pressure the player’s body weight puts onto the cleat of the football shoe better because the cleat is a permanent part of the shoe. It’s molded, as it’s title suggests. As a result, the cleats can dig into the field better than the detachable ones can, and spread the weight better on the player’s foot and body. They can be made of thermal plastic urethane or rubber. Molded shoes are also more cost-effective for schools with budget concerns.

They are better for heavier players because these are the guys that place a lot of body pressure on the football shoe when on the field. They tend to cost less than a comparable detachable cleat.

Turf: Cleats would be a misnomer for these football shoes, because there is no cleat on the shoe. With a look almost similar to a sneaker, the turf football shoes are designed specifically for use on artificial surfaces. If your schedule includes games on artificial turf, your players will need turf shoes for those games. These shoes have outsoles which can range from basketball-style bottoms to traditional rubber nubs used for getting grip on the artificial surface.
Nike Impact Shark – Basic football cleat with added lateral and medial lacing support. A variety fields will suit this molded outsole. Good price point makes this an attractive buy. Adidas Burst Power Mid IIID – Add detachable cleats, a mid-foot support strap, adiPRENE cushioning, a 3/4 design and what do you get? An adidas football cleat that is ready for professional action.

The right shoes for the right feet

It’s fair to say a lot of players, especially at the high school or college level, decide what cleats to wear based on how they look. Or the head coach might refer players to a local sporting goods store where he has struck a deal for a discount on certain types of cleats.

With all of the time modern athletes spend on weightlifting and body conditioning, many pay astonishingly little attention to their feet. Many don’t see a podiatrist, even when the foot is in some pain. One of the reasons for foot pain and discomfort might come from choosing a cleat that isn’t a good match for the player’s foot. Such a decision can also have negative impacts on player performance and stamina.

James Ochs, the fit technician at Eastbay, says a football shoe should fit with a glove-like fit in the toes, with the player still having the ability to move the toes around comfortably. The heel shouldn’t be slipping around in the back of the shoe. Some movement is okay, but if the player is developing heel blisters, then the shoe is too loose in the back.

The laces should be tied snugly, but not so tight as to cause added pressure on the instep. This could result in sharp foot pain for the player. The arch of the foot should also fit comfortably in the arch of the shoe.

Anatomy of the Shoe

To understand how to find the football shoe that will enable the player to perform at a maximum level, we asked Ochs what makes up a football shoe:

Upper – This is the upper portion of the shoe and is made of leather or synthetics. It provides some support to the foot and, most importantly, keeps the foot in the shoe.
Midsole – Not all football shoes have a mid-sole – it will usually cost a little more for this feature. It’s main purpose is to cushion and support the foot. It’s located between the upper and the outsole of the shoe.
Insole – It’s made of compressed ethyal vinyl acetate (C-EVA) or polyurethane. The insole provides immediate comfort to the foot and helps keep the foot from sliding inside the shoe.
Outsole – This is the most important part of the football shoe. The outsole is the bottom of the shoe and has the traction properties of the shoe. The outsole can be made of rubber, thermal plastic urethane (TPU) and different configurations to provide grip and traction on a variety of surfaces.
Adidas Scorch 3D Low and Mid – This is a fast looking and performing football shoe. Detachable cleats help with field conditions but the real story here is lightweight. The Scorch is light in the low or 3/4 cut. AdiPRENE inserts help to relieve cleat pressure. Adidas Grid Iron II D Lo/Mid – A football shoe with a midsole? You bet. This adidas offering has a C-EVA midsole wedge that will provide cushioning and relieve cleat pressure. The support comes from the midfoot support strap which keeps the feet secure. Oh yes, detachables come standard.

The Wearout Point

Old shoes, whether they are football shoes, sneakers or dress shoes, hold a lot of answers about the person who owns them, Ochs says. The wear marks on old shoes say a lot about where the foot could use additional support.

This is important both when choosing training shoes and when selecting football shoes. While training shoes offer the most variety of selection, Ochs says, a midsole could provide key cushion support when necessary. And it’s necessary more often than you might think.

Shoes generally wear out in one of three places, depending on the wearer’s “gait,” or manner of walking. The shoe is going to mimic the foot when walking, so the wear is reflective of a person’s natural motion:

* Heel Strike – The first phase of walking, or any foot motion, is when the heel touches down on the ground. Wear on the outsole will take place on the lateral (outside) part. People who strike their heels heavily when they walk or run will have this type of wear. Good, extra cushioning, such as a football shoe with a midsole or extra heel padding could be helpful.

* Mid-stance – This is the middle phase, and the associated wear takes place in the mid-foot. The arch and the areas around it could show some wear. If the wear is on the medial, or inside, part of the shoe, then the wearer is probably flat-footed. This phase moves the foot forward from the heel strike and sets up the toe-off phase.

* Toe-off – This is the last phase and can give a real indication of where support and additional cushioning is needed. If the wear on the outsole is toward the big toe or medial side (inside), then it is likely the wearer tends to roll his feet in and needs added medial support. Shoe features such as dual density, footbridge and a straight lasted shoe will help here. If the wear is to the pinkie toe or lateral side, then the feet do not absorb shock well. Cushioning in the sole of the shoe would be very helpful, as it will help to absorb the shock of performance sports. The “normal” or neutral foot will have wear on the big toe and two to three other toes. The person with this motion is efficient and can choose from a variety of shoes without focusing too much on support or conditioning.
Reebok Pro Workhorse DMX Mid and Low – Let’s start with the upper. A midfoot support strap provides support so the foot stays in place. A sockliner of DMX cushions and relieves cleat pressure along with a three quarter EVA wedge. Lastly detachable cleats make the Workhorse as versatile as it is tough. Reebok 4 Speed and 4SpeedD – 4 Speed says it all. Taking cues from a track spike the 4 Speed is the lightest cleat on the market. The fit is just as unique because Reebok uses minimalistic materials in the upper to achieve an excellent level of comfort. To put it bluntly Reebok’s 4Speed is built for speed. Also comes in detachable.

Podiatrist Visit Possibly Helpful

If an athlete is looking to choose a football shoe to maximize performance, a visit to the podiatrist is not a bad place to start. Eastbay fit technician James Ochs says that less than 10 percent of the people who suffer foot discomfort actually see a specialist. That is a surprisingly low number, considering the amount of medical attention players regularly seek for other areas of the body, not to mention the foot’s key role in mobility.

A podiatrist can examine a player’s foot to suggest what type of support will enable the player to perform at a maximum level.

Ochs suggests the “Wet Foot Test” is one way to determine what kind of foot a player has, and how to choose the appropriate football shoe. To do the test, stick your foot into a bucket or bathtub full of water. Submerge the foot completely, from top to bottom. Then walk on an area where you can see your wet footprints. The footprint you leave will help you determine what kind of arch structure you have:


If your foot outline looks like this you have a flat arch or flat foot. This is the most common foot type. People with flat feet tend to roll in when they walk. Additional support is needed on the medial (big toe) side. The support helps to balance the foot evenly when in motion.
If your foot outline looks like this you have what is known as a normal arch. There is space for an arch in the print, yet you can see where the middle of the foot touches the ground. This foot type is not nearly as common as the flat foot. The normal arch foot does well with cushion and shoes without additional support.
If your foot outline looks like this, you have a high arched foot. It’s critical you find a shoe that has as much cushioning as possible. This foot does not absorb shock well, so it needs additional cushioning features. This will help to dissipate the shock of movement.






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