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Selecting Football Cleats

Football cleats are helpful in maintaining traction and footing on wet ground and slippery surfaces. Soccer, baseball and football players all use cleats and each shoe is slightly different.  So it is important that when you  purchase your child’s shoes you get the proper cleat for football.

Football cleats come in a variety of styles.  The selection that you make should be determined based on the type of field that your child will play on and most importantly the position that they play.  You must keep these two important factors in mind when you go to purchase their cleats.

Cleat style…

Most football players use either shoes with short-cleats (soccer style) or shoes with long-cleats (football style).  Long-cleat football shoes are associated with greater incidence of knee and ankle injuries since they make the foot temporarily stationary in the turf and therefore unyielding to movement.  If the foot is planted and the leg moves you can see how injury can easily occur.

You can also select from molded or detachable cleats.  Molded cleats are permanently attached to the shoe’s bottom.  Usually turf shoes have molded rubber cleats to allow for spring and traction on the turf surface.  Detachable cleats have removable studs that can be switched based on the type or condition of the field that your child is playing on.  It gives flexibility to the player, who can change the cleats using a cleat wrench to shorter cleats for a hard, dry surface and longer cleats for a wet, sloppy field. This versatility makes these cleats preferable to those playing on grass fields.  Detachable cleats come in a variety of sizes (1/2, 5/8, ¾ and 1 inch) and it is beneficial to the player to have all sizes to allow for changes based on field conditions.  Detachable cleats are normally more expensive than molded cleats.

Shoe styles…

There are three different style football shoes: high-tops, mid-cut and low-cut.  These different styles are designed to specifically meet the needs of the players by position. High-tops extend up the ankle for additional support.  Lineman benefit from this type of shoe because of the pressure put on their ankles during a game.  Low-cut are lighter weight and preferred by some because they allow extra maneuverability and quick cuts on the field.  Mid-cut offers more support with maneuverability, which is a good fit for defensive backs, running backs, wide receivers and quarterbacks.

Fitting shoes….

Most important is the fit of the shoe.  Never buy a size too big, this can result in foot movement and injury.  Always have feet measured by a reputable salesperson prior to purchase, sizes could vary based on style.

Shoe Care ….

The exterior of the sole should not be left dirty. Debris such as grass, dirt, and mud left on the shoe will cause dry rot.  Simply clean the bottom with mild soap, water and a scrub brush.  An old toothbrush can be used to get debris out of the crevices.

The best thing you can do to cut down on wear and tear is to take cleats off as soon as possible because walking on pavement or other hard surfaces will dull the spikes. Always keep a pair of sport slides or flip flops available for a quick change.