Learn about cleats with expert football tips and advice from a former football player in this free American football video clip.
Expert: Vincent Jamal
Bio: Vincent Jamal is a professional football player with seven years of experience in the field. He has spent the last three years playing for the Phoenix Raiders.
Filmmaker: Dustin Daniels

Expert: Otis St. Clair
Contact: www.ShowtimeSportsAcademy.com
Bio: Otis St. Clair is a former collegiate wide receiver at Ohio University. He is currently a football coach and Operations Manager at Showtime Sports Academy near Nashville, Tennessee.
Filmmaker: Tim Brown

Thanks Otis!

What I am leading up to is that all players, regardless of the position they play, should have three types of cleats at their disposal.

• Soft ground cleats – These cleats are made for wet weather when it is expected that the ground will be soft and muddy. These cleats are almost always made out of metal and very easy to replace, and believe me, you will need to replace these.
• Firm ground cleats – Made for firm, natural, and drier grounds.
• Hard ground cleats – Made for hard natural surfaces.

Now, you probably won’t need three pairs of shoes, as most cleats are detachable and can be swapped out. Although, having three pairs of shoes suited for each scenario isn’t a bad idea. You sacrifice a bit of quality when you have detachable cleats instead of one solid piece of machined or molded sole.

So back to my list of 5 ways to use your head when you buy football cleats.

1. Know the rules! Seriously, check with your league to get an idea of what type of cleats are allowed. Some leagues vehemently prohibit the use of metal cleats and only allow for molded or detachable rubber cleats. Even further, there are cleat length rules like some leagues that prohibit cleats longer than a 1/2″ in length. Make sure you’re well aware of league limitations before you invest in yoru cleats.
2. Once you know your leagues rules, you need to know what position you will be playing. In youth leagues, especially if your particular skills have not yet been discovered or you have no preference yet, you might wanna just go for a mid sized top as they offer good support and good mobility. However, if you know what position you will be playing, what and how you buy are going to be more focused. For example:
   • High Top cleats – these extend above your ankle to provide extra support. Many linemen wear high-tops because the extra ankle support helps them with their lateral movement and keeps their feet steady when they are taking on the weight of a block. Lineman, go for high tops.
   • Mid Top cleats – these offer more support than low-cut models, but allow more ability to maneuver than high-top cleats. Mid-cuts are the most common cleats, and are especially popular with “skill positions,” like quarterbacks and running backs. It is the right choice for a youth player looking for a good all-around shoe.
   • Low-cuts – lightweight cleats that sacrifice support for a lighter feel. They are favored by wide receivers and defensive backs, positions that benefit from being able to run fast without the feet being weighted down.

   Once you know the position you’ll be playing, you have a basis for the style of cleat you’re going to be looking for.

3. Realize how cleats differ – Cleats made for different sports emphasize support in different areas based on the playing style of the sport. “Football cleats give you more support in the midsole than soccer or baseball cleats,” says Joseph Skiba, equipment manager for the New York Giants. “This helps with lateral movement and with things like taking hits or making tackles.” With a sturdier feel than a soccer cleat, football cleats keep your feet and ankles from turning. This allows for quick movements and helps keep your feet under you when tackling, blocking or taking hits.
4. What kind of studs / spikes should you get? There are two main types of studs or spikes that can go on the sole of your cleat. Most are designed for a specific purpose, like playing on grass or turf, or a combination of both. The type of field you will usually be playing on may influence what type of cleat you choose.
   Molded cleats are permanently attached to the shoe’s bottom. They are usually made of rubber and are generally less expensive than detachable (removable) cleats. Many youth football leagues require players to wear molded cleats, an all-around cleat suitable for most grass fields.
   Detachable cleats use studs that can be removed and replaced, allowing you to change the studs based on the field conditions. Detachable cleats often require a wrench for removing and adding the studs, which can be made out of rubber, hard plastic or metal. On a hard, dry field you might add shorter cleats. On a wet field, you might add longer cleats. Detachable cleats require more maintenance, and it takes experience to know which type of studs you should wear on different playing surfaces. For that reason, they are usually recommended for older, more experienced players.
5. The level of care and maintenance – Cleats, like other shoes, need to be broken in. “Cleats feel better the more they are worn,” says Joseph Skiba, the New York Giants’ equipment manager. “We get a lot of [pro players] complaining about their shoes, and often the problem is that they just keep on wearing new pairs. The more you break it in, the better it will feel.”
   It is also recommended you keep an eye on the condition of your spikes. “With both molded and detachable cleats, make sure to check them frequently to see how much they are wearing down and if they are wearing in an even way. If any spike is wobbly, or very worn down, you need a replacement.” Do not practice or play on wobbly or worn-down spikes.
   With proper care, your cleats can last a long time. Avoid walking on concrete or asphalt to keep your cleats from grinding down or eating away at the plastic coating on some screw-in cleats. Remember to buy an extra set of laces when you buy your cleats and have them with you at games and practices. If your cleats are made of leather, use mink oil or another waterproofing product to help protect the cleats from rain and snow. Use a specialized cleat cleaner or a brush to remove mud and dirt from your cleats.

I hope this gives you a good idea of how and where to start when purchasing football cleats.
Check back later for my personal recommendations and don’t forget to subscribe to my feed!

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