To play either soccer or football, footwear that will protect your feet and enhance your efficiency is important. In addition, footwear is something important for anyone who participates in sporting activities. Whether you are running, walking, or even jumping.
In every one of the sports we have in our world, there are peculiarities and differences to each of them. For example, the mode of carrying out actions differs in each of them as well as the dress pattern.
In this article, you will know more about one of the most important parts of the dress pattern of any sport. And that is the boot. Reading this article will help the readers to know more about soccer boots.
It might seem confusing at times when arguments on soccer and football boots come up. You might not even be able to spot the difference between the two. But, you don’t have to worry again!
This article will provide you with the answer to the differences. And also, if the AFL rules and regulations could permit a player to use a soccer boot.
Can you use soccer boots for AFL?
Commonly, AFL means American Football League. However, it also has another meaning; Arena Football League which is a type of indoor American football. In the 1970s, the American Football League merged with the National Football League (NFL) to form what is now called; American Football Conference (AFC).
As a result of this change, the actual and generally known meaning of AFL is Arena Football League, and it’s a type of indoor football.
Do you know that the topic of football and soccer will be very confusing to many people outside the United States of America, Canada, or Australia? Because this rugby-like sport has more influence in these countries and it is famously called football unlike many parts of the world.
Okay, to clear the possibilities of doubts and confusion, it is needed that we define and differentiate the difference between the two games. In soccer, a ball that has a round shape is kicked and headed with the aim of scoring goals.
Arena football is more of a rugby-style game in which the oval-shaped ball is thrown, passed, and kicked. The only difference from the NFL is that it’s played indoors.
Now back to the question: can you use soccer boots for AFL? One of the requirements of football is that the shoes must be of standard football quality.
Since soccer boots are of high quality and the materials used in making them comply with the league’s rules and regulations, cross-training shoes, basketball shoes, and other sneaker cleats are great examples.
Also, another rule of the league discourages the use of unsuitable cleats. It indicates that the following are prohibited; cleats that are manufactured by aluminum or other material. This type may have a sharp edge and might cause injuries for players.
Also, it says that nylon cleats with flat steel points are allowed. The above regulation addresses the issue of using soccer cleats for football.
Considering the requirements above, a football player in the AFL can use soccer boots. But, that is possible only if the boot complies with the regulation of football.
Football players in different cases wear soccer boots on several occasions. And that is because soccer boots adhere to football standards. So they are appropriate for a football player to wear. Therefore, we may conclude from the foregoing that, with their similarities, soccer boots can be utilized for football.
Due to the form of the boots, football kickers use them (soccer boots) during football matches to assist them in kicking the ball properly. Of course, there are minor distinctions between football boots and soccer boots. But football players are safe when they wear a soccer boot on the field.
How about getting to know the types of soccer boots? Let’s do this!
Types of soccer boots are determined by a variety of things, including your skill level, the sort of field you play on, and your budget. Most leagues need you to wear the right sort of soccer cleat when playing, so it is essential to understand which type you require.
Firm ground or molded boots are the types of boots used in soccer. The bottom of the shoe is made of non-removable rubber or hard plastic. This sort of soccer boot is designed to aid with friction and control. It is appropriate for players at the beginning and intermediate levels.
Firm ground or molded boots are appropriate for nearly all field types and weather situations. In addition, several youth programs demand it for safety purposes.
Soft ground or replaceable boots are soccer boots that feature studs on the bottom that can be screwed on and off and replaced easily. Their cleats are generally constructed of hard plastic or plastic with metal ends and vary in length.
Depending on the weather and field circumstances of that day’s game or practice, the kind and length of the studs might be modified.
It’s best for seasoned players who can adjust the cleats to their playing ground and weather circumstances. It may be used on rainy, muddy fields as well as well-kept, soft grass fields.
Hard ground or multi-ground soccer boots are designed for artificial or hard natural surfaces. Such as artificial turf or solid, sun-baked dirt are known as hard ground or multi ground.
A significant number of short studs are usually equally dispersed over the entire outsole of hard ground soccer cleats. They are also a terrific alternative on ice and form a great backup pair for most players.
You should know that because soccer players seek lightness and quickness, all soccer cleats are low cut. As a result, the athlete’s ankle may now move more freely. Low-cut cleats are comparable to tennis shoes or regular soccer cleats.
Mid-rise cleats, and high-tops, which are similar in form to basketball shoes, are the three main types of football cleats. The cleat is heavier because of the elevated ankle. But it also provides extra cushioning and ankle support.
For players playing in the position of a kicker in football, soccer boots are very okay. This is because the soccer boot is made in such a way that it helps the kicking of football.
In addition, if you are a running back (that is, the player who runs with the football), the use of soccer boots suits your position so perfectly. Running backs are also known as halfbacks and wingbacks.
Wearing a football boot enhances the game of linesmen. Football boots help in protecting your toes as a linesman. It also prevents you from getting your feet shattered. And keep you safe from a possible foot injury.
Even though most soccer boots seem narrow, they are more preferred and recommended by some experts for quarterbacks.
Also, for the wide receiver, a soccer boot is not a bad idea at all. He is a football player who uses his speed and agility to outrun defenders and receive the ball. In any match, a team may deploy two to four wide receivers.
A wide receiver can perfectly carry out his functions with the use of a soccer boot. Of course, because of the job of a wide receiver, he needs optimum speed, and soccer boots can offer him that. But the fact remains that a wide receiver can also use football boots.
The football boots will perform the job nicely for fullbacks. However, soccer boots may not provide the grip and stability required for this functional purpose.
This is because a fullback is a player who is in charge of both blocking for the running back and pass-blocking to protect the quarterback. Fullbacks are short-yardage runners who are often larger than running backs.
Most Fullbacks believe that their job can only be perfectly done with the use of a football boot. They consider soccer boots are incapable of helping them in their roles and functions as a fullback and a defensive guardian of the team.
The quarterback is the team’s leader. If you play quarterback, you will have to call the plays and scream the signals. It is also your responsibility to take the ball from the center and then pass it to a running back who will either toss it to a receiver or run with it.
This use of soccer boots for you as a quarterback is still a matter of personal choice, though.
Often, quarterbacks believe that their position is better played with football boots than soccer boots. The rationale for this is that they feel football boots provide greater stability and grip, which helps them change direction.
If you are a tight-end player, that means you are both a receiver and a blocker. This player stands to the right or left of the quarterback, next to the offensive tackle. And considering the functional role of a tight end, a soccer boot might not be a really good idea.
This is because you will need a whole lot of stability and grip that the football boot can offer.
What Boots Do AFL Players Wear?
Although players in the AFL are free to warm up in anything they like, they are not permitted to wear some particular kinds of boots during games. The goal is to provide players better grip on the surface, which is especially important in poor weather.
Since the inception of American Football, various boot improvements have been incorporated into American Football shoes .
Mud cleats are one of the boots that are permitted in the AFL. The invention of mud cleats was credited to Joseph Pipal. The studs on these cleats are longer and sharper, giving you extra traction in the mud.
The most crucial aspect of becoming an American football player is ensuring that you have the correct equipment, even before stepping out on the field for practice and games. For an American Football player, cleats are a must-have piece of gear.
Leather shoes are used in AFL. This style of shoes provides a comfortable fit. In addition, they have a good amount of ventilation, which makes them more comfortable for your feet as a player.
If you take care of your leather shoes, they will last a long time. As a result, they are more expensive.
Conclusion
In the Arena Football League (AFL), using soccer boots is legal. According to the rules of the league, you can use a soccer boot.
But as you have known after reading this article, not all players of different positions in the league will choose to use a soccer boot. This is because it might not be favorable to his role and function as a player.
Hi there, I’m Jay.
Soccer is everything in my life! My friends and I have created this blog with all our enthusiasm, passion, and understanding after years of playing pro soccer. Hope you will enjoy it!