Are lace less futbol cleats a good idea? Critique

 

           Adidas recently introduced a new and fresh concept that was focused around making lace less cleats the new wave. Before I get into critiquing this product from Adidas, I will admit that I personally think that the concept itself was a great idea because it was fresh and something we have not seen before. Also, the design and look of the shoe was just fantastic! A sleek and simple look is what a lot of footballers are looking for. 

    However, although these cleats look really cool, Adidas did a poor job when it came to making a comfortable and responsive shoe for a consumer. First, the way that these shoes fit out of the box are the way that they are going to fit for the remainder of its lifetime. When I got mine, I was super excited and when I took them out of the box they didn't fit as snug as I would've like them to and I was left pondering the question, "what now?". These cleats did not fit snug on my foot so wearing them in games and training was an automatic no. 

    Another critique I have with this cleat from Adidas is that the lockdown on this shoe is a zero since there is no lacing system. I like my feet to feel really secure in my cleat and not allow any extra room from my feet to slide around and this product did not do that for me. A lacing system does much more than you think, and I realized that after I bought a cleat that completely removed this feature.

    If Adidas wishes to continue with this concept, they should really think of ways to address these issues to provide consumers with a product that will not cause these problems. All this shoe does for you is make you look cool.  

VAR has ruined the beatiful game Rant

 

    This relatively new VAR technology was introduced into the scene in 2016 and I feel like it has really taken away from the normality and fluidity of the game. Before VAR, it was up to the referees to decide on calls about penalties, offsides, etc. and that would add to the suspense of the game and feeling like you're in the moment. This new technology has taken that feeling away from all soccer fans because they use this technology for almost every call now. 

    I do understand that the VAR technology can be good when used properly but I do not like the fact that they are turning to this with almost every major foul in a game. When they do this, they must stop the game for minutes at a time and makes the game slow down and hence, more boring to watch. However, it does make the game fairer in terms of calls made but wrong calls and controversial calls are a part of the game. 

    The game of futbol is supposed to be a fast paced, athletic and skillful game that guarantees goals. Fans like action; they like goals and adversity and VAR has taken over the game since it became introduced. You must understand that goals and or points in this game is rare compared to other sports (like basketball or futbol) so when a team scores you are supposed to be filled with tension and nervous energy while you are in the moment. 

    I think that VAR was introduced in an attempt to keep the game fair and honest but the use of this has completely taken over the raw emotion of the game. If they would lessen the use of VAR technology, it wouldn't be as big of a problem as it is. It honestly just frustrates me watching games now a day because I know this will always be a big issue. 

    What do you think? Has VAR added value to the game or has it slowly ruined the game for you?  

Messi leaving Barcelona? Prediction

 

     With Leonel Messi having one of his worst seasons with Barcelona this past year and some very important key players leaving as well, will we see the "greatest player on earth" with a new team next season after 16 years with the club? After just scoring 25 goals on the season, Leonel Messi is unimpressed with himself and with his teammates around him. It was noted that Messi told his manager and teammates that he was unhappy at Barcelona and was seeking a way out. Of course, this alarmed Barcelona fans around the world and the soccer community in general, but all this noise was put to rest when Barcelona denied Messi the chance to leave because of his high payout clause and one year remaining on his contract. 

    It was rumored that Messi was supposed to join the likes of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and Liverpool as well. It isn't that far out of reach however knowing that Messi and Guardiola have always had such a good relationship and still do and with Messi's time slowly winding down (and Barcelona's less than perfect performances the last few seasons) it is a strong possibility that we will see Messi wearing Guardiola's white and blue uniform at Manchester City!

    Messi has been a true an loyal Barcelona player for the last 16 years and even though I myself would hate to see him go, I am predicting that he will depart from the club next season in hopes of winning some more hardware for the remainder of his career. 

    So, will we see Leonel Messi at Manchester City next season or will he retire at Barcelona? What are your thoughts?

Top 3 ways to become a better player List

 Top 3 ways to become a better player

Juggling

 1.) One of the best ways that you can improve your overall soccer skills is by simply going outside and grabbing a ball by yourself and juggling it around repeatedly. Juggling the soccer ball is going to mainly focus on helping your touch which will ultimately improve your overall game because your touch is very critical in this game. When juggling the ball, you want to try to use both feet and manipulate the ball in various directions so that you become aware of different possibilities for in game settings. If you can get a grip on juggling the ball, you will see improvements in your confidence and skill on the pitch! It takes time to master your touch but with enough practice you can do it too. 

Passing

 2.) Being able to pass the ball with great accuracy is one of the most important concepts in the game of soccer because you use this skill all the time. This works better if you have a friend that you can train with (although you can practice by yourself as well). Start by placing your friend a certain distance from you (or a cone) and just perform different variations of passes from different lengths away from each other. When you are able to consistently pass the ball from a certain distance, move further back and try passing the ball on the ground as well as air crosses because in games you will find yourself needing to do both. The main focus here should be accuracy and control of the ball as well as trying to use both your dominant foot and your "weaker" foot. 

Dribbling around cones and shooting

3.) If you have cones at home or anything you can simulate as cones, place them in a line and distance them with just enough room for you to weave in and out of them with a soccer ball (smaller the better). Cone dribbling is a very common and useful training tip amongst amateur level soccer as well as professional soccer teams. The importance of this drill is to repeat it in various patterns and place it in front of goal so you can practice your finish as well in this drill. By doing this, you will be able to increase your speed and simulate opponents with the cones all while improving your finishing skills in front of goal for the last part of the drill. 

    Being a great soccer player does not come with just being athletic, putting in the time and training will always be helpful. With enough practice and training, you will see a boost in your game on and off the pitch! Stay humble and stay training! 

Nike Mercurial Superfly Review

 

Nike Mercurial Superfly

    The Nike Mercurial Superfly is a great shoe for most people that are looking for a high-end shoe that has all the latest technology updates that a futbol cleat can have. I bought this cleat a couple of months ago because I heard a lot of great things about it within the futbol community and it certainly did not disappoint.

    

    The most notable thing (and probably why so many people want this cleat) is the added sock like collar that it possesses at the top of the cleat. This is Nike's latest trend and it provides a very comfortable and "sock like" feel for the user. When I slipped the cleat on for the first time, it truly does feel like you are wearing a sock and wraps around your ankle without any disturbances. After a while, you won't even notice that the added sock part is there that is how comfortable this shoe is!

    Lockdown is a major key here that Nike really got right. This shoe has a technology that is called fly wire that are cables that run from the laces of the cleat down to the bottom of the shoe. This means that when you lace up your laces, your foot is not going to move around inside the shoe and you will feel secure while wearing it. 

    The Nike Superfly features ACC (all conditions control) which means that you can play during those rainy days, and your feet will stay dry. I played a match while it was raining and this cleat did a fantastic job keeping my feet dry which is a nice added feature to have with a cleat of this quality. 

    However, the only downside to this cleat is the price tag that comes with it that will run you about $250 so it is definitely not a budget friendly cleat. That being said, I think that it is worth the price tag because the quality is unbeatable. These are going to be long term cleats so durability will not be a problem for you when purchasing these cleats. I have had mine for about 4 months now and been used constantly with no problem!

The Faster the Better

           Hi everyone, what's one of the most important skill sets to have as a soccer player on a pitch? Of course, it is perfecting the art which is your own speed! There are many things that you can do to increase your speed as a player so you can become the best version of yourself and stick out among the rest of the players on the pitch. 

• Good running technique- Perfect your most comfortable form. Having good form means that you are balanced and ready to go so perfecting your form is the first step of improving your speed. You are going to have to practice a good running technique that allows you to run at maximum capacity (so avoid any awkward forms of running). A straight and parallel technique is a good start to establishing your form. 
• Run uphill- Running uphill is one of the best training drills that you can do to increase speed. When you run uphill, you are making your legs work harder at an incline so when you go to run on flat ground, you will be exerting that energy you spent running uphill to a flat ground which will result in an increase in pace! A good tip that I have for you is finding a steep hill that you can repeatedly run up and down until you have reached a fatigue stage. Re-doing this exercise will surely increase your speed!
• Stretch- Something that is often overlooked and not taken seriously is stretching. Stretching is super important because when you do it before performing a physically demanding task, you are relaxing the muscles in your body and preventing any stiffness. A lot of injuries that athletes face is due to not stretching so if you want to increase your speed you need to stretch because you cannot run if you are injured due to lack of stretching. 
• Diet- Not everything that you can do to increase your speed has to do with physical drills. Your diet is a big indicator of how you will perform. If you eat healthier and skip the junk food, you will see noticeable increases in not just your speed, but your overall health. A good diet will allow you to train more efficiently and ultimately help you get faster and become that player you strive to be. 

    There are many more drills that you can do to increase your speed, but these are some of the ones that I found to be very important in my personal experiences. If you can set a good foundation for yourself, nothing can stand in the way of you and your goals. 

 

 

 

 

You wont believe how much they make!

          Have you ever wondered how much soccer players make? I used to think about this a lot, and I was quite surprised to find out how much money some of these players were making! Here we are going to look at some of the highest-payed soccer players and you will be able to judge if they are justified or not. 

• 

  Lionel Messi

  
  Lionel Messi- Messi is currently the highest paid soccer athlete earning around $80 million dollars just in salaries and winning alone! On the other hand, he has a lifetime deal with Adidas and has his very one signature shoe. Messi is a forward at FC Barcelona but can pretty much play in any position you put him in which is why he is worth as much as he is. Furthermore, he earns around and extra $25 million dollars in endorsements alone! This includes deals with Gatorade and Pepsi! He has spent all his life at the FC Barcelona club and for that he is very respected by the soccer community. 

• 

  Cristiano Ronaldo

  
  The Portuguese is another player who is very well known for his extremely athletic physic and ability on the ball. Regarded as one of the best players in the world, Ronaldo brings in around $60 million dollars in just his winnings and salaries. Like Messi, Ronaldo also has brand deals with Nike and his own signature shoe as well. In addition to his salary winnings, he also brings in an extra $45 million dollars in endorsements with his other deals that include Herbalife and EA Sports. Cristiano has played in great teams like Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Juventus; where he was successful in each one. 

• 

  Neymar Da Silva 

  
  The Brazilian magician is known for his creative footwork and making his opponents look silly on the pitch. The flashy footballer is bringing home around $70 million dollars in salaries and winnings while also gaining around $17 million dollars in endorsement deals. He holds the current highest transfer price tag after making the move from FC Barcelona to Paris Saint German which totaled a whopping $220 million dollar deal! A definite star for the years to come.

 

 

 

About InfoSports

            Hello everyone! My name is Adrian Perez and I am here to provide you with everlasting knowledge regarding a variety of different soccer topics. I started this blog a few weeks ago to help others learn about everything from soccer shoes to training tips and drills. I am committed to helping you learn and share your passion of the beautiful game with the rest of world.

 Prior to starting this blog, I have played four years of High School soccer, two years of college soccer, and have been involved in many other teams along the way. Ever since I was a little kid I have been drawn to the sport; it’s been like my best friend. I have always been into finding the best soccer product and because of this I have become very knowledgeable through the extensive research that I have performed over the years.

Some of my favorite things to do include reviewing soccer cleats and shopping online for jerseys, cleats, and more! 

If you would like to get started learning about soccer and are ready to come on this journey with me, I recommend you take a look at these blogs to help you get started:

• "Improve your speed " 
• "You wont believe how much they make" 

In this blog you will find a lot of valuable information that you will find useful and maybe even hopefully be able to answer some questions you may have. I encourage you to read a couple blogs and leave and questions or added information in the comments! If you ever want to contact me, feel free to send me an email at InfoSports137@gmail.com.