TYPES OF FOOTBALL BOOT SOLE PATTERNS
... a guide to using the right one for the right reasons ...
The design and technology that goes into modern football boots and trainers has now reached a level of sophistication where new materials, new styles and new manufacturing methods appear frequently giving the amateur player a real headache when it comes to which is best, why and how they will work to help improve their game.
Firstly, let's dispel some myths which have been conveniently place in the public conscience by those very clever advertising people at the big name sports companies. Obviously all advertising is design to make it like their own particular brand and styles of boot so that you will part with you hard earned money to buy them. In a lot of cases advertising focuses in style, colour, the amazing results you will get as soon as you wear them and all focus on the professional players that they have endorsed to wear their clothing.
Myth 1: Colour
The colours on your boots make absolutely no difference to how they work on your feet. They may look better and that in some way may make you 'feel' more confident about wearing them, but the performance of modern boots has nothing to do with colouration. Modern boots tend to favour bright attention grabbing designs, but they can scuff easier and are often harder to keep clean.
Myth 2: Materials
Modern synthetic materials are better than traditional leather materials for boots. Again, not true. There just as many good reasons for wearing synthetic boots as they are for wearing leather boots. There are good things and bad things and it really depends on the wearer and the size, shape and development of their feet - children's feet grow significanty faster and can alter shape subtly over time.
Myth 3: Soleplate
The bottom of a football boot - the base of the boot which has the studs - is called the soleplate and one design of soleplate (inc. stud configuration) and there is no single soleplate which will work for everyone. Additionally, the development of new playing surfaces means that soleplates now come in a variety of basic design templates to suit the different demands of the surfaces and the level of traction provided.
The image on the left shows the basic types of outdorr use soleplate designs available in modern football boots. Most manufacturers will have options.
From left ro tight:
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Soft Ground (SG) - used on soft natrual grass surfaces on traditional soil base where there good grip is essential for players.
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Artificial Ground (AG)- rubber soled with low semi-flexible mouled studs for Astral Turf.
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Firm Ground (FG) - used on normal grass when the ground is generally firmer and has less absorbancy when running.
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Hybrid Ground (HG) - combination design typically with both interchangeable and moulded studs to alllow choice.
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3G Turf Plate (AG / 3G) - moulded soleplate specifically designed for latest generation of synthetic grass surfaces.
This is the typical soleplate for a Soft Ground boot. Firm Ground boots tend to similar 'upper' portions of the boot but their studs tend to be blockier and shallower in profile as there less ground penetration on Firma Ground is needed to provide the same traction compared to Soft Ground. Gerenally SG and FG boots have one piece moulded soleplates without replaceable studs, so they are limited when they begin to wear down. It is normal for one piece soleplates to be lighter but are also generally less flexible.
This is the typical soleplate for an Artificial Grass boot. Typically the soleplate will be made of rubberised, highly flexible material similar to those used in other sports trainer style shoes. There will normally be a high number of low height studs of various sizes and shapes. Another typical feature is that the studs have many different orientations to provide optimum traction by ensuring the studs dig into the floating substrate which forms the base of all AG surfaces. The soleplates wear out slightly faster than normal trainers
This is the typical soleplate design for modern 3G surfaces. Unlike previous generation AG designs, these feature mould plastic stud configurations which incorporate studs of different heights and sizes but also has far more spacing between stud clusters to cater for the more grass-like feel of the new surfaces allowing for grass blades to flow into these gaps just like SG and FG boots. On 3G pitches too much traction can be a problem so these new soleplates allow for movement which is safer for ankles and knees.
This is the typical design for what is known as a 'bladed soleplate' or blade studs - where the studs are shaped like mini blades. Originally designed over 20 years ago by Craig Johnston (ex Liverpool player), these designs of soleplate have become notorious for casuing severe cut injuries and have been banned by many clubs. They have also been blamed for a higher rate of ankle, knee, and foot injuries as they have 'excessive' traction in certain conditions. These designs are being phased out but are still available.
When choosing a new pair of football boots it is recommended that you select a soleplate design which best suits the conditions in which you will most regularly play. For Dovery Down, we play on a grass field which ranges from soft to firm ground conditions and occassionally we play away at modern 3G pitches otherwise again, it tends to be grass turf. Generally you can wear any soleplate for any surface bu this not normally recommended and there are some basic rules to follow and things to consider such as traction, wear and tear and comfort.
Soft Ground and Firm Ground soleplates can be worn on both soft and hard ground interchangeably, however, a Soft Ground soleplate will wear quicker and degrade (especially the actual studs) if constantly used on firm ground. The factor which has most impact on this is the size and weight of the wearer. Junior players do not weigh enough to make that much difference so don't worry too much. It really comes down to selecting a Soft Ground or Firm Ground boot which fits and is comfortable to wear when moving about at speed. Avoid boots with tall studs as they raise the player too much off the ground causing instability on uneven surfaces (like natural grass) and generally rounded stud designs are considered safer for junior football.
WARNING: for junior footballers it is a requirement that players do not use soleplate designs which have heavily stylised bladed stud designs like the one illustrated further down this article as they have been known to cause injury to other players in involved in collisions and other incidents.
Having a pair of Artificial Ground boot or similar trainer would be beneficial but isn't essential as normal outdoor trainers could be used on Astro Turf and 3G surfaces. However if you are considering spending more time on Artificual Ground surfaces then it is advisable to get a set of either moulded rubber or moulded plastic boots as they will be more comfortable for use on artificial surfaces in the long term and they will not wear as quick as normal street trainers or other sports shoes.
It is not generally considered safe to use Artificial Ground boots on Soft or Firm Ground as they do not provide sufficient traction on the surfaces and they will be become damaged quickly - the rubber and plastic materials used in their soleplates are softer so they do not tear up artificial surfaces and this makes them unsuitable for any other surface. Additionally, some manufacturers have been known to refuse warranty claims on any boots they suspect to have been used on inappropriate surfaces and will not support their 'performance' claims.