1. Specialize With Cleats
Football cleats (athletic shoes with spikes on the soles) are different from footwear worn in other sports. Cleats worn in football generally give players more support in the middle sole than cleats used in soccer or baseball. This greater support protects the ankles from turning. Football cleats provide better support for initiating blocks, taking hits and tackling while moving quickly and turning sharply on the field.
2. Match the Cleats to the Position
Not all football cleats are the same. Low-cut football cleats are the lightest weight football cleats, and these shoes enable wide receivers and defensive backs to run faster on the field. High-top football cleats provide better support for the ankles and are appropriate for linemen who need the extra support for blocking. Mid-cut football cleats are popular among quarterbacks and running backs. These cleats provide some ankle support and enough flexibility for fast running.
3. Factor in Materials and Field Surface
Football cleat spikes come in different materials, including metal, hard plastic and rubber. Cleats may come with removable spikes (usually requiring a special wrench to remove them from the soles) or with molded spikes permanently attached. These spikes also come in different lengths. The shorter cleats usually work best on a dry field and longer cleats are better for wet fields. Metal cleats are usually best for grassy fields.
4. Maintain Your Spikes
Check your football cleats regularly. If your spikes are worn or loose spikes, replace your footwear. Walk around in your new football cleats before using them in a game. Football cleats are like any sport shoe; you must break them in if you want to wear them comfortably. Never play a game in cleats you haven't worn before. That can hamper your play and put you at risk for injury. Don't walk on concrete or asphalt surfaces, which will grind down the cleats and wear them out prematurely. Test your cleats on a field or a surface similar to a playing field.
5. Remember the Rules
Check your football league rules regarding cleats before you buy them. Many leagues have strict rules regarding the type and length of cleat allowed on the field. Some leagues, particularly youth organizations, don't allow metal football cleats at all, and they may restrict spike length to 1/2 inch or less.
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