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