Putting laces on a pair of casual shoes is relatively easy and requires little in the way of technique. But when it comes to lacing up athletic shoes, experienced team trainers understand not all feet are alike. Some players may have wide feet with low arches, while others may have narrow feet with a high instep. Lacing football boots in a typical crisscross pattern is fine for some players. For others, typical lacing could be uncomfortable when tightened enough to keep boots on the player's feet. These are considerations when you put shoe laces on a football boot.
Step 1
Use an inverted crisscross pattern to lace a football boot. Insert the ends of a lace through the top side of the bottom eyes, pull them toward the middle of the tongue and straight up to even the ends. Insert one end of the lace into the bottom of the second eye on the opposite side, and pull it up and across the tongue. Insert it into the top of the third eye on that side and pull it out from the underside of the eye.
Step 2
Insert the other end of the lace into the bottom of the second eye on the opposite side. Pull it up and across the tongue. Insert it into the third eye on the opposite side. Repeat this pattern until the boot is laced to the top. This allows tightening by pulling the flat portions of the lace rather than the crisscrosses.
Step 3
Lace a boot using the reversed crisscross and stop before the top eyes. Pull one end of the lace up and insert it through the bottom of the eye on the same side of the tongue to form a loop above that eye. Repeat this with the other end of the lace to form a second loop above the top eye on the opposite side.
Step 4
Cross the ends of the laces and insert each into the underside of the loop on the opposite side and pull them up. Put the football boot on your foot. Tighten the laces from the bottom up and pull the ends to tighten the loops and secure the boot around your ankle.
Step 5
Begin lacing one boot in the standard crisscross pattern and stop when you get to the third eyes. Skip the eyes over the area of the instep and continue to lace the boot. Put the boot on and tighten the laces. This may be more comfortable for players with a high instep.
Tips and Warnings
- Tighten each of the laces starting at the toe and working up to the top of the boot. A double bow or a wrap of tape around the boot helps to keep the laces tied. Good fitting athletic socks add comfort and protect feet from blisters.
- Do not over tighten boot laces.
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