A Walk in My Cleats
Walking in A Soccer Player's Shoes
A History of Soccer Cleats
The first soccer cleats were made in 1525 by Cornelius Johnson, King Herny VIIIs personal shoe maker. They were ankle high, made of leather, and much heavier than soccer shoes today. Between the 1500s and 1800s, the men that played soccer wore their hard, leather, steel capped work boots to play. They would hammer nails to the bottom of their shoe to get more grip on the ground. As popularity for the game kept growing, soccer cleats were made in a slipper or soccus style. History shows that these soccer cleats weighed 500 grams and were made of hard and thick leather that went up to the ankle for increased protection. These soccer shoes each had six studs on the bottom and doubled in weight when it rained. After World War 2 ended, soccer cleats became flexible and much lighter. Soccer shoe production shifted toward producing a lighter soccer cleat with the focus on kicking and controlling the ball. They started making soccer cleats with a synthetic leather to make it lighter. In the 1960s, soccer boots went from the "over the ankle" design to a lower cut boot. It allowed players to move faster on the field because the ankle part wasn't slowing them down. A variety of colorful soccer cleats came out in 1970. In the 1990s, soccer cleats were made with new polymer extrusion technologies and materials allowing for a flexible sole as well as the normal round studs being replaced by a bladed design giving players a more stable base.
A Day in the Life of a Soccer Player
A day in a soccer players shoes is full of drills, running, and games. They get up at the crack of dawn to go to the field. They don't eat breakfast, they don't take a shower, they just go straight to the field. When they get there, they would do 100 curl-ups, 20 laps around the field, and 30 drills. Soccer players stay at the field for hours at a time, just practicing. They do exercises, drills, and practice techniques. They have to train hard if they want to win a game. If they do eat before a game or practice, it is usually something healthy, like a piece of fruit or granola bar. They have multiple games and practices a week, so soccer con take up most of their free time. You have to be dedicated if you play soccer, and most soccer players are. The life of a soccer player is very busy.
My Passion Connection
My passion is soccer. I love everything about it. I love the thrill of scoring a goal, or running up and down the field, even the drills. I love the atmosphere, with all the people on the sidelines there to watch. But soccer is more than just kicking a ball. It is beautiful, crazy, and awesome all in one game. It isn't even a game for some people, it's their life. Soccer teaches us teamwork and patience. It shows us that you are not always going to win in life, but that you can keep on working toward your goal. Soccer brings people together, and gives us a chance to meet new people and have new opportunities. Soccer is a beautiful thing, and that is why it's my passion.
The First Soccer Cleat
This is the first soccer cleat, made in 1525 by Cornelius Johnson, King Henry VIIIs personal shoemaker.