| In modern soccer, performance is a key factor for | | | | well as providing lightweight footwear. |
| professionals. This performance depends not only on | | | | Each type of soccer cleat is indicated for a different |
| his mental and physical shape, but also on good | | | | type of ground. Soft grounds usually are more |
| footwear. An essential part of the footwear is the | | | | slippery so one generally uses higher aluminum cleats |
| soccer cleat, also known as studs. The soccer shoes | | | | that penetrate more deeply to avoid slipping. For firm |
| are specially equipped with cleats that prevent | | | | grounds the soccer cleats are a bit lower, therefore |
| players from slipping and assist in rapid changes of | | | | plastic cleats are indicated. |
| direction. | | | | Soccer cleats made of rubber should be used on hard |
| There are different types of cleats for the different | | | | grounds, as they are better for impact. On harder |
| sports, such as rugby cleats, baseball cleats, soccer | | | | grounds the soccer cleats need not penetrate too |
| cleats, cleats for track, etc. Most sports played on | | | | deeply, as the ground isn't as slippery. The soccer |
| grass or dirt require the use of cleats for athlete's | | | | cleats are usually higher on the heel and lower on the |
| stability. | | | | forefoot, as more weight is put on the heel. |
| The difficulty to play soccer on different types of | | | | Injuries related to the wrong use of the soccer |
| ground was recognized early on in the history of | | | | cleats are quite common. These injuries are usually on |
| soccer. That meant that the sole of the soccer | | | | the knees and ankles. The most common knee |
| shoes needed to offer proper resistance or ground | | | | injuries caused by wrong choice of the cleats are |
| traction. | | | | those to the ligaments. With the use a high set of |
| At first, metal tacks similar to those of engineers' | | | | aluminum soccer cleats on firm or hard ground the |
| boots were used. These metal tacks could be | | | | injuries are most likely to occur. The ankle injuries are |
| dangerous and their use was forbidden by Rule 13 of | | | | usually sprains. The wrong use soccer cleats can also |
| the FIFA regulations for the safety of the players. | | | | cause blistering to the feet, giving them an |
| Eventually leather soccer cleats (or studs) replaced | | | | uncomfortable feeling. |
| these tacks. | | | | Many professional players still prefer the shoe with |
| Soccer cleats are made of different materials and | | | | traditional soccer cleats arrangement, which provide |
| can be fixed or removable. The most common are | | | | no more protection to the player than the boots of |
| the plastic cleats. This is so because shoes with | | | | yesteryear. |
| plastic soles are simpler to make and usually cheaper | | | | Changes to shoe design appear to be in response to |
| than any other. Rubber soccer cleats, though, are | | | | demand from parents keen to reduce the number of |
| usually softer than the plastic ones. | | | | injuries associated with the modern game. The use |
| Both plastic and rubber soccer cleats are usually fixed | | | | of the right soccer cleats according to the ground |
| to the sole of the soccer shoe. There are also | | | | that the game is going to be played is a key factor |
| aluminum soccer cleats, which are usually removable. | | | | to prevent blistering and injuries that can be serious. |
| These soccer cleats can be entirely aluminum or | | | | Soccer players should set an example and use the |
| plastic with aluminum tips. Recently new cleat | | | | right type of soccer cleats and also the |
| systems were devised to help distribute pressure | | | | manufacturers should instruct the client for the |
| across the boot. Incorporation of new polymer | | | | better use of the soccer cleats. |
| materials further strengthened the sports shoe as | | | | |