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