When choosing or buying junior football boots (or any soccer training equipment for youngsters) you are advised to tread carefully – no pun intended!
A football player’s boots are his or her most important piece of kit. And while many an impressionable youth or junior player is likely to be heavily influenced by what their favourite players – like Rooney, Lampard, Gerrard or Drogba – wear, it’s not always wise to copy their world class heroes in this instance.
Everybody is an individual and perhaps the most important consideration when buying junior football boots is how comfortable they are. Like most footwear, soccer boots come in a variety of sizes and fittings – to suit every type of foot. You’ll even find that some brands such as Puma tend to be of a wider fitting than say other brands such as Nike.
The important thing to remember is that player will be wearing the boots for 90 minute plus so make sure that comfort is their number one priority. They can look good after the game – when they’ve won!
Another major consideration has to be the position being played by the footballer. For example, as we know, some positions have ill afforded to make slip ups – goal keepers and defenders for example. Because any mistakes in these position generally get punished. Players in these positions must wear strong, heavy durable boots with excellent grip for the surface being played. Whereas strikers and wingers for example, will prefer light weight boots especially designed to increase their soccer speed and acceleration.
The third major consideration is that of playing surface.
Wet and heavy pitches should not be played using blades or molded. And hard and dry pitches should not be played using long studs – no unless you can handle. Artificial or so-called all weather pitches will also have an appropriate type of football boots.
The real deal is this. Players will soon know whether the boots being worn are appropriate or not- if they are been completely honest with themselves. As coaches and parents, you just need to be mindful that at an impressionable age, a player will need guidance and advice.
The main type of football soccer boots are:
1. Studded – for wet and muddy surfaces
2. Molded – for hard surfaces
3. Blades – for multiple surfaces except astro turf or multi purpose surfaces
4. Astro/All Weather -usually anything that’s not grass
5. Indoor
One should obviously shop around because prices of junior football boots will vary greatly from shop to shop. And although prices may be cheaper online, it’s wise to make sure you try the boot on for comfort (and looks it that is important to).
In conclusion, there has been a proliferation of football boots for youth and junior players to suit every type of player, position and playing surface – not to mention the fashion conscious. But care must be taken because choosing the correct and most appropriate junior football boots is a serious game.