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Sunday, January 29, 2012

Its All in the Kicks

With more cleats being made for lacrosse than ever before you have more options on what type of cleats are right for you. Lacrosse specific cleats blend the support of a football cleat while lending the flexibility and speed of a soccer shoes. Most lacrosse cleat models are made with different spikes and that's where the decision making comes in. Each have their own advantages, but you most definitely dont have to buy them all. 


Metal Screw In Cleats. Everyone wants to "click clack" while charging the tunnel, and luckily they are extremely useful cleats beyond their sound effects. The stiff metals spikes come in multiple different lengths for your preference. Being able to change your spikes is one of screw ins best advantages. This makes them the best option for wet and muddy grass fields. With such large spikes these cleats are perfect for big hard cuts. Unfortunately most turf fields have rules against wearing metal spikes and for good reason. The metal not only tears up the turf but increases your chance or injury. 
Plastic Screw In Cleats. plastic screw ins give all the advantage of their metal counterpart but with extra hazard to your home field and yourself. The beauty of screw in cleats is if you don't like the spikes, you can always replace them.
Plastic Molded Cleats. Plastic molded cleats aren't interchangeable . The spikes are smaller than the screw ins but there are twice as many, but the extra traction means more speed. Plastic Molded Spikes are probably the most usable cleats. Screw ins might offer slightly better traction of wet grass but plastic molded makes up for it in versatility. They can go back and forth between grass and turf seamlessly, which is a big relief when you only have to break in one new pair of cleats this preseason.
Turf Cleats. Turf Cleats are still reminiscent of an age of lacrosse played on astro turf apposed to artificial grass turf. Unfortunately the little rubber nobs built into the sole do little on the grass like turf, and the rarity of astro turf renders these cleats useless. Don't cross them off your shopping list though, "turf dogs" make great training shoes as well as fashionable kicks.

3 comments:

  1. How about some specific models? I would love some tips.

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    1. The cleats you choose, like all of your other equipment, is completely based on preference. Do you want extra support or speed? Are you willing to sacrifice stiffness for lightness? Personally, I like a combination of speed and moderate support. In the past Lacrosse Players had to decide between the speed of a soccer cleat and the bulky support of a football spike. Luckily, lacrosse companies have gotten the hang of making a cleat specific for our game. My favorite cleat is the Nike Huarache II, they have a high ankle mesh support that is also flexible and incredibly light. They only spike option are plastic molded, but if that is your thing these are the by far the best cleat. Not to mention you ll gain some serious swag points with these. Check them out...http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10850656&010=SKU-8928898&cid=CSE:&cid=CSE:GooglePlusbox&003=3933188

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    2. Please elaborate on the phrase "swag points." I would like to hear your personal opinion.

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