legal cleats

[Wreave]

What do you consider to be a legal cleat, especially regarding the evil cleat on the toe?

FIFA LOTG and USSF ATR are silent on the matter except to note that footwear is mandatory. I know many individual associations have specific limitations on the toe cleat (in my research, I have found that some will allow you to play if you cut it off!), while some have recognized that some companies are now making soccer shoes with a small rubber toe cleat.

I'd appreciate any feedback, and especially any documentation on this matter.

[ref47]

from jim allen's latest column.

NO FOOTBALL CLEATS!
Your question:
Is it illegal to play soccer in football cleats and if so what is the documented danger of such a practice?

USSF answer (April 21, 2005):
It is illegal to play soccer in football cleats of the traditional sort with toe cleats, even if the toe cleats are cut off. Nor is it legal to play in baseball cleats. There is no documentation on this, other than the requirement that players' equipment must be safe for them and all participants. Traditional football cleats are unsafe and not permitted in soccer games.

[Gary V]

There is also previous instruction to the effect that, if it is marketed as a soccer shoe, it probably is legal. The theory is that no reputable manufacturer would go to the expense of creating a new shoe style without making sure it could actually be worn in a game.

[Wreave]

from jim allen's latest column.

NO FOOTBALL CLEATS!
Your question:
Is it illegal to play soccer in football cleats and if so what is the documented danger of such a practice?

USSF answer (April 21, 2005):
It is illegal to play soccer in football cleats of the traditional sort with toe cleats, even if the toe cleats are cut off. Nor is it legal to play in baseball cleats. There is no documentation on this, other than the requirement that players' equipment must be safe for them and all participants. Traditional football cleats are unsafe and not permitted in soccer games.

OK... why are they unsafe??? and how can you tell if it's a (pointy) football cleat? Other than the toe cleat, of course.

BTW, in researching this I have found that many local youth associations restrict toe cleats, but they also specifically say that the toe cleat may be cut off (doesn't make sense to me).

[ref47]

us football cleats are generally much longer than soccer cleats. (the need to dig into the ground for leverage when colliding bodies clash for space.) the longer length makes them more likely to cause punctures of the skin in a sport where kicking at the ball often brings cleats in contact with legs. and, that toe cleat provides a pointy spear when the foot is "stabbed" at a ball, toe first. so, removing the toe cleat still leaves us with longer other cleats - unsafe.

[Red Star]

There is also previous instruction to the effect that, if it is marketed as a soccer shoe, it probably is legal. The theory is that no reputable manufacturer would go to the expense of creating a new shoe style without making sure it could actually be worn in a game.

Some of the earliest Nike soccer boots had a toe cleat. If you are old enough to remember you will recall that the first Nike boots were stunningly bad.

[HoldenMan]

So Jim Allen says it's illegal................and where does he get this from?

[pensmom4]

I'll add that it's really aggravating to go to one of the chain sports stores (Dunham's in my area) and see football and baseball shoes labeled as soccer shoes. If you tell a clerk, they look at you like you have three eyes.

I feel for the poor new parent who goes shopping and thinks they've bought the correct shoe...only to arrive at the field and have one of us say it's not legal. We live in a relatively poor area. Parents are doing their best to provide soccer shoes for their kids, and can't afford to waste money on mislabeled shoes.

[Hooplehead]

Don't let players wear golfing cleats. Also, for replacables, metal/aluminum studs are safer than plastic studs, as plastic frays, whereas the metals will wear down in "rounded" fashion (unless they are purposefully sharpened on concrete).

[ref47]

holdenman - do they wear rugby cleats to play soccer down your way? do you look at cleats/boots before games? why? as me allen said, it is not a written rule, but a general safety consideration. also, league rules often contain specifications/prohibitions on boots.

[HoldenMan]

I'm just saying, JA has come out and said that they're illegal - he said that as if they were mentioned either in law or a national policy. If they're not specifically illegal but he considers them dangerous (and expects most to), or there is some sort of national policy suggesting that then he should've said so, but he didn't.


they're not specifically illegal, as his opening statement says.


But I'm not going to argue about whether or not they're dangerous because we don't have american football down under on a large scale.

[kevbrunton]

So Jim Allen says it's illegal................and where does he get this from?
He doesn't get it from anywhere - Jim Allen is god. :)

[ur_land]

The answers to questions about the lwas in "Ask a soccer referee" are to be regarded as offical US Soccer policy. Seriously.

http://www.ussoccer.com/referees/content.sps?iType=4169&icustompageid=6688

All replies to technical questions posted in this column have been coordinated with and approved by the U.S. Soccer Federation's National Program for Referee Development.

Questions that require an opinion, rather than or in addition to a technical answer, will bear a caveat pointing out that the answer may not have official status and should not be quoted in various fora as an "official" answer.

If you need more clarification on any matter, please direct your question to your State Director of Referee Instruction in writing (names and mailing addresses supplied upon request or see here for e-mail contact information).

[HoldenMan]

He doesn't get it from anywhere - Jim Allen is god. :)

I'm an atheist :D

[schmuckatelli]

I'm an atheist :D
Nice comeback... the rest of us will pray for you, however ;)
That said, are replaceable-stud soccer shoes (whether metal or nylon studs)acceptable for high school matches? Does NFHS say anything about them?

[GKbenji]

That said, are replaceable-stud soccer shoes (whether metal or nylon studs)acceptable for high school matches? Does NFHS say anything about them?

No problem. NFHS Rules, Rule 4-1, Art. 1, k:

Shoes with soles containing metal..., 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...

[BentwoodBlue]

Yes, they are legal in the eys of NFHS. When Adidas first came out with the predator a few years back, I do remember NFHS banning them until they made a few modifications.