Football cleats vary by position. While helmets and some pads do not differ, the footwear worn by lineman and the differing skill positions will change based on the needs of the position. USA Football reports that cleats used in the sport differ from footwear in soccer and basketball because of the midsole support, which promotes lateral movement.
High-top Cleats
The choice of linemen, high-top cleats include material that extends above the ankle, like a high-top basketball sneaker. A buying guide offered by Dick's Sporting Goods, a national sports equipment retailer, claims that high-tops provide added support for side-to-side movements made by linemen. Offensive linemen will move laterally in blocking schemes, as do defensive interior linemen when pursuing a ball carrier.
Low-cut Cleats
Low-cuts leave the ankle exposed, much like a running sneaker. These are the lightest variety of shoes and preferred by those playing speed positions, such as wide receivers and defensive backs. USA Football writes that low-cut cleats offer the advantage of speed without the feeling of being weighed down. Players wearing low-cuts sacrifice arch and sole support for speed.
Mid-ankle Cleats
Between the low and high cleats are mid-ankle cleats. The top of the shoe sits just below or at the ankle bone, providing the lightweight, non-constricting feel of a low-cut, while offering increased support like a high-top. According to USA Football, quarterbacks and running backs generally choose the mid-ankle because it offers the best compromise of speed and leverage to move laterally.
Turf Shoes or Cleats
There are two basic types of football shoes. Turf shoes are designed specifically for artificial turf fields. The sole of a turf shoe has a series of small rubber nubs to provide traction on the flat, hard surface. Cleats, like those described above, come with protruding studs that provide traction in natural grass or synthetic grass. There are two types of studs on the bottoms of cleats. Molded cleats, according to Dick's, are built into the bottom of the shoe. Detachable cleats allow you to change out the studs based on grass length, field condition and position, depending on how much traction is needed for that game.
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