Football is the most popular sport in the world, commonly known as soccer in the United States, and is played and watched by over 2 billion people worldwide. For most football players, choosing the right football who is mostly about which is the nicest or the cheapest and do not realize that choosing the proper footwear is one of the most important decisions that a player makes.
Football boots or cleats generally have outsole traction devises (which are commonly studs or blades) which help to provide supports and traction during a game. There are two major types of football boots; blades and studs. These are generally molded to the base of the shoe and can be made with either rubber or hard plastic, both of which are specially adapted to playing on turf.
The blades generally awful much more support and traction than the studs though this can be especially dangerous and can yield injuries if the person tries to turn or twist their feet quickly while the blades are in the ground. Many amateur and professional footballers have moved from blades to studs due to the injuries caused by this footwear, a few notable examples include: David Beckham, Andrea Pirlo and Michael Owen. The studs offer a little less traction and support but are much easier to maneuver, run and stop quickly in. Many professional footballers have two pairs of football boots and use a specific pair depending on the condition that they are going to play in. If they are going to play in a wet, slippery environment then they would choose to use the blades but if the playing surface was in optimal (moist) or dry condition then they would choose to wear their studded football boots.
The design of the football boots is also very important in a purchase decision, The design also known as the cut determines the level of support given to the foot by the football boots. Football boots with a high cut ankle (higher up on the ankle) he extra support to the feet and can help prevent many ankle and tissue injuries. Many players prefer the lower cut as these are seen as more modern and stylish than the high cut football boots. The low cut football boots also provide a grater range of motion of the feet and offer additional freedom which is especially important in the taking of free kicks and special passing, though most players agree that this is simply a matter of personal preference.
Choosing the right football boots may just be the difference between personal and professional glory on the field and few players ever truly realize this fact until they become professional football players. Proper cleaning of the cleats also ensures better performance and a longer-lasting shoe so next time you go to buy for football boots, remember to use the tips in this article to ensure a successful football amateur or professional career.
References
1. Guide to Buying Football Boots. http://thebossshop.co.uk/a-guide-to-boots/4520135987
2. Guide to Football Boots and Trainers. http://www.best-for.com/acatalog/buying-guide.html
