| To some, cleats are simply shoes, but they are | | | | the chance of the others falling on top of him, or |
| more, so much more than merely "shoes". | | | | running over him is high. If there is contact with |
| Whether you are playing baseball, football or | | | | an outstretched limb, the likelihood of injury is the |
| soccer, cleats can save you from falling, no | | | | highest in soccer because of the unprotected legs. |
| matter the type of surface that you are playing | | | | Because cleats provide good traction, there is |
| on. The shoes themselves are usually plastic or at | | | | some thought that the longer the cleat, the |
| the higher end of play, leather. Plastic or metal | | | | better they are, but that is simply not true. A |
| studs are placed along the soul of these shoes to | | | | cleat that is too long can stick into the ground |
| grip the playing surface. Different sports have | | | | causing the athlete to stop too suddenly, putting |
| different rules about the length or the material of | | | | him at a higher risk or a knee or ankle injury. |
| the cleats- for instance, baseball does not allow | | | | Sudden, unexpected stops can be hard on the |
| metal cleats for their players because of the | | | | neck as well, and could put a player at risk for a |
| increased chance of contact between the players | | | | spinal cord injury even if he does not fall down. |
| and therefore injury. | | | | Check with a local sporting good shop and make |
| The wetter and muddier the playing conditions are | | | | sure that you are fitted with the right cleats for |
| likely to be, the longer the cleats need to be. | | | | the right sport. Make sure that they are properly |
| Some sports employ cleats with combinations, a | | | | fitted to your feet with the socks that will be |
| mix of long and short cleats for instance, or | | | | part of your uniform. Make sure that you wear |
| sometimes a blend of materials. Either way, the | | | | them outdoors for a while to get used to them |
| proper set of cleats can mean the difference | | | | before you try using them during an actual game. |
| between playing a game with success, or falling | | | | Cleats are a basic part of your equipment, and |
| down and risking a serious injury. Of course, the | | | | they can save a game or ruin a career, so be |
| cleats themselves pose a risk to the players, | | | | careful with them. |
| especially the metal ones. If a player falls down, | | | | |