The rules of FIFA and other football game management are pretty straightforward. They have provided us with a list of materials cleats should be made of in the ground.
Materials that are included in that list are nylon, plastic, rubber, leather, and aluminum. But there’s also a statement right after the list.
In the same rule statement, right after the list of materials, it is stated that the referee can stop players from wearing any of these materials’ cleats if he deems them harmful.
However, keeping the above statement in mind, metal cleats ARE generally allowed in soccer games, and professional soccer players wear metal cleats, too.
Precisely, the rule is:
“Rule 4.1.17: Shoes shall be worn by all participants in a game. Shoes with soles containing aluminum, leather, rubber, nylon or plastic cleats, studs or bars, whether molded as part of the sole or detachable, are allowed as long as the referee does not consider them dangerous.”
So, what are the benefits of wearing metal cleats in the game? Why do many professional soccer players wear them? Here is all you need to know.
Do Professional Soccer Players Wear Metal Cleats? If Yes, Then, Why?
As stated above, metal cleats and many other materials are allowed in soccer, and most professional players wear them for several reasons.
One of the essential factors why soccer players wear metal cleats is the ground they play on. Metal cleats are an excellent choice for slightly muddy ground, or in other words, soft ground.
Metal cleats are robust. Their robust nature makes it easier to pierce into the ground and get a good grip. This prevents players from tripping and slipping on the wet (soft) ground.
However, this isn’t always the case. Metal cleats are in high demand in countries with very humid climates and consecutive raining weather.
Players from dry or temperate climate countries also wear plastic cleats as well as metal ones. Cristiano Ronaldo is a famous example of that.
In Manchester United, he is mainly seen wearing metal cleats because of the humid climate of the UK, but when he was in Real Madrid, he preferred plastic cleats, again, because of the weather.
So, it would be safe to say that professional players wear metal cleats, but primarily because of their preferences and the ground they are playing on.
Most of the time, soccer grounds are well-cushioned and wet manually, and wearing plastic or any other type of cleats on them doesn’t always play in your favor.
That is where the metal cleats come in. Because of the ground, the hard metal studs/spikes of your cleats penetrate into the ground, which allows the players to make sudden movements during the game.
Advantages Of Wearing Metal Cleats in Soccer:
It goes without saying that if that many professional soccer players wear metal cleats in the game, there must be some advantage to it. Let’s talk about it.
1: Good Traction:
As stated earlier, this is the most apparent benefit of metal cleats; they fit perfectly into the ground, so the players can run, kick, tackle, and do all movements on the soccer/football field.
2: Durability:
Metal cleats are robust, as you all know. If you are planning to buy cleats long-term, metal cleats are a good choice.
Moreover, you can easily remove and replace your cleats’ spikes/studs. This means you don’t have to get rid of your whole pair; replacing just the studs would do the job and extend their lifetime.
3: Ensure Safety:
The more comfortable the player is on the field, the better his performance will be. That’s a fact. Metal cleats ensure that you don’t trip on slip on the ground and hurt yourself by perfectly gripping the ground.
Disadvantages Of Wearing Metal Cleats In Soccer:
Now that you know about the benefits of metal cleats, you must also be aware of their drawbacks. This would help you make a good decision.
1: Risk To Others:
Murphy’s law states, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” No matter how cautious you are, things can always go south.
In this case, if things go wrong with plastic cleats, it wouldn’t be much of a problem, but metal cleats? That’ll be something else. Metal cleats can cause severe foot or leg injuries to your fellow players. So, watch out!
2: Wrong Use:
Metal cleats are made to be used on wet soft ground because of the reasons you already know by now. They pose a threat if they aren’t being used on soft ground.
Suppose you wear metal cleats on a hard surface. Their metal studs won’t be able to pierce through a hard/firm surface. No penetration, no traction. And no traction means tripping and slipping, resulting in foot and leg injuries.
Is It Okay To Let Your Kid Wear Metal Cleats In Soccer?
You already know that metal cleats are allowed in soccer, but there are some exceptions when it comes to your kids and youth soccer.
Mainly, referees deem metal cleats inappropriate for youth soccer kids; thus, they are recommended to wear rubber or plastic cleats for their games.
However, this doesn’t mean that metal cleats play no part in youth soccer. Sometimes, with increased caution, the referee lets the young players (kids) wear metal cleats in the game.
Furthermore, kids are kids. They are just beginning, and mistakes can happen. They can mistakenly kick each other or trip on the ground.
For that reason, the organizers and the referee instruct the kids to wear plastic or rubber cleats in the game to minimize the damage if something goes wrong.
FAQs:
Can You Wear Metal Studs On Turf?
The referee is unlikely to stop you from wearing metal studs on turf; you should be careful of it yourself. Because turf is mostly a firm ground surface, metal cleats don’t perform well on firm ground compared to soft ones.
Can You Wear Metal Cleats In Professional Soccer?
Yes, you can wear metal cleats in professional soccer. Metal cleats are allowed in youth soccer and high school soccer, too.
But if the referee says they are dangerous, you don’t ask questions; you take them off. No matter what level of soccer you are playing.
Does Premier League Use Metal Cleats?
Yes, even in the Premier League, metal cleats are allowed to be worn by football players. Sometimes, they add metal spikes to their football cleats, too.
Are Metal Studs Banned In Football?
Due to safety concerns, metal cleats aren’t popular or preferred in football. Metal cleats are not banned but aren’t allowed in most football games. In other words, metal cleats just don’t add value to football.
Does NFL Allow Metal Cleats?
No. NFL strictly advises the players to wear cleats and other accessories approved by the league, and NFL doesn’t approve metal cleats.
Final Thoughts:
I hope all the points above were clear, but if you still have second thoughts, don’t worry. Let’s summarize the whole article for you.
Do professional soccer players wear metal cleats? YES, they do. To get traction on the ground and improve their performance.
Thanks for reading this far. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
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