|
Getting
the Boot (2)
Written by Adrian Lim
Touch
of Class
The soccer boot also serves as the primary point of contact with the ball.
In order to facilitate the execution of spectacular dribbling maneuvers,
a player requires sensitivity and a feel for the ball, a characteristic
often referred to as touch. The better the touch, the better a player
can control a ball. The material used to manufacture the upper portion
of the boot often contributes the most to the overall touch since the
upper portion provides the lone barrier between the foot and the ball.
Soccer boots of the past often used heavier calf or bovine leathers (Kippen),
a thick rigid barrier that inhibited touch. In the nineteenth century,
however, shoemakers began using kangaroo leather, a supple and slender
yet strong and durable leather often considered the finest natural material
for soccer uppers.In fact, the thin and glove-like property of kangaroo
leather enhances the feel of the ball against the foot, significantly
improving touch. To this day, many high-end soccer shoes still incorporate
kangaroo leather in the construction of the upper since it remains the
best natural material available.
In recent years, synthetic
materials, such as Nike's proprietary NikeSkin, have also been developed
in an effort to emulate the properties of leather with improved weather
resistance and durability. Additionally, synthetic material often helps
reduce the overall weight of the boot. A few shoes even combine kangaroo
leather with synthetic material by constructing the front of the shoe
with the kangaroo leather to provide good touch and the rest of the shoe
with synthetic materials to improve durability and reduce weight.
Making
Good Contact
Soccer boots must provide a good surface with which to strike a ball.
For passing and shooting, players require a clean surface to generate
power and provide consistent accuracy. Older soccer boots crudely fashioned
out of thick leather provided no benefit in this area, but modern day
research has led to many different types of innovations that all strive
to accomplish the goal of giving players the best available platform from
which to kick the ball.
One method incorporated
by soccer companies involves shifting the laces closer to the outside
edge of the boot—an innovation often referred to as
asymmetrical lacing. By using an asymmetrical lacing system, the front
and inside front of the boot offer more smooth space for the ball to strike.
Without the bump of lacing to interfere with ball contact, the player
achieves cleaner, more consistent contact with the ball.
Released earlier
this year, the latest evolution of Adidas ™ Predator line
of soccer shoes epitomizes the focus towards finding innovations
that assist a player to help improve performance. The new shoe incorporates
two important features that specifically aid in helping to achieve
more powerful and accurate strikes. First, a rubber-like compound
has been directly injected onto the surface of the forefoot (Adidas.com).
In addition to helping improve ball contact, the frictional qualities
of the compound also help players apply spin to the ball as they
kick. The increased spin on the ball allows a player to curve the
ball's trajectory to avoid other players or make the shot more difficult
for the goalkeeper to defend. |
 |
The second, more revolutionary
feature introduced in the latest Predator actually involves focusing more
mass near the front of the shoe. Using a three-dimensional computer simulation
of a human leg (anatomically correct with joints, muscles and bones),
engineers refined the boot design on the computer while Adidas simultaneously
conducted prototype trials with human athletes (Davidson). Moving the
center of mass closer to the point of impact helps optimize power transfer
during contact with the ball (Adidas.com). Testing with the boot showed
increases in average ball speed, which translates into less time for the
goalie to react to the shot (Davidson) and consequently a better chance
for a player to score a goal. The inspiration for this feature came from
similar design theories used to construct tennis rackets, golf clubs and
baseball bats (Davidson).
Page:
1 | 2 | 3
| 4 |
Home
|
|
