Nike vs Adidas Comparison

 

            The Nike vs Adidas comparisons have been one that has been around for many years and will be one for many years to come. These are two of the biggest companies and most popular when talking about futbol cleats. Before we get into the comparison aspect of this blog, I would like to mention that I am a fan of both of these companies, and they do a lot of similar things for consumers. For example, they both put out high end and multiple lower end cleats to adhere to multiple consumer markets. 

Nike

My personal choice when it comes to cleats is Nike for a variety of reasons. Nike has perfected the design and quality that is supposed to be a cleat. They provide consumers with a high-quality, comfortable cleat that is very efficient in terms of wear and use. Their most advertised cleat being the Superfly has attracted many consumers because of its unique design and unbelievable quality. Nike does a great job providing its consumers with a comfortable, powerful cleat that gives you a great deal of control. Nike cleats are also notorious for being a very narrow and tight-fitting cleat which most people prefer because it provides a greater sense of security and lockdown; something you don't quite get in the Adidas line. 

Adidas

Adidas has been in the game for many years and this means that they have had plenty of time to develop the best cleats for futbol players. Adidas's high end model is the Nemiziz and unlike Nike, this they offer a great deal of choice to their consumers by offering many lace less cleats as well as regular cleats. In terms of what separates Adidas from Nike, Adidas has always produced classic staple cleats that people love and also do a great job developing cleats that provide you with optimal speed and a lightweight experience. Adidas offering options within their lines helps them gain a competitive advantage in the futbol market. Adidas shoes are usually wider (not as narrow as Nike) so they will fit most people's feet which is a good thing because not everyone is comfortable wearing a narrow Nike cleats. 

Both established companies have done a great job implementing new technological advances into their cleats. They have a good sense as to what consumers are looking for in a cleat and therefore, they are on top in the cleat industry. 

However, Nike is my preferred choice of cleat! What is your choice when it comes to cleats? Why? 

Weak Foot Problem

 

            There comes a natural fluidity when you strike the ball with your dominant foot or dribble around opposition using your more comfortable/natural foot. Take not of how your body twists and turns when you do anything that involves using your weak foot (whether it be shooting or dribbling). I am aware that trying to get your body to adjust to those actions is quite complicated but there are ways to overcome this difficulty. 

Shooting- When you go to strike the ball, you will try your best to avoid shooting with your weaker foot and therefore, resulting in not as great of a shot that you could've produced. Spending time practicing how to angle your body when shooting with your opposite foot is key. Do not focus on getting so much power on your shots right away but focus on the correct technique that is needed to produce the most accurate shot on goal. Only when you have practiced enough times to feel comfortable shooting the ball should you focus on including that power needed as well. 

Passing- The most important skill to master in this game is being able to pass accurately and with both of your feet to be able to adapt to any in-game situation. A good way to work on your weak foot is by grabbing a friend or setting up cones (to simulate people) and work on long passes, short passes, and air balls. Remember, power is not important at this moment. Focus on the accuracy and comfortability and then move onto the power. You are going to see noticeable improvements in practice and in in-game situations which will make you look like an elite player.

Dribble around cones- A popular drill that you will see among professionals is dribbling around cones at high intensity speeds. This works great if done properly, so focus on dribbling around short spaces with your weak foot to improve control of the ball. Replicate this drill until you feel comfortable enough to do it whenever.

Although it is frustrating at first trying to find a comfortable spot for your technique, with enough time and consistent practice, you will see major improvements in your game!

Remember, don't practice until you get it right, practice until you can't get it wrong!

Nike Tiempo Recommendation

 

    When it comes to finding the best leather futbol cleat in the game, I have to recommend the Nike Tiempo's from Nike. These cleats are very popular in the soccer community and although I personally do not like the aesthetic from these cleats, the performance is what makes this shoe unique and undoubtedly one of the most comfortable cleats that I have ever worn. These cleats are great because they run true to size so the size that you wear naturally is the size that you will want to go with when you order these to achieve the best possible fit. Not many shoes feel like that out of the box, so Nike did a fantastic job with this aspect of the shoe. 

    The materials that Nike used to make this particular cleat is unmatched. Nike chose to go with what is called kangaroo leather and let me tell you from experience, this is probably the softest and most comfortable shoe that you will ever slip on your feet. The kangaroo leather that you will find on the Nike Tiempo is such a soft and thin leather so it eliminates the feeling of having a bulky shoe so you feel more of the ball as you are playing in a match. I know that when you think of leather, you probably think of bulk and stiffness and that is exactly why I stopped myself from getting these cleats in the past but I decided to give them a try and I could not be more satisfied. 

    Personally, these are now my favorite cleats to wear even over my Superfly 6's (which is Nikes most popular shoe at the moment). The kangaroo leather is only a top layer of the outsole of the shoe and underneath it all you will find the famous knit materials that are used on all of the high-end Nike products. This is how Nike manages to make such a lightweight and thin leather cleat. 

    The fact that the upper leather is so thin and easy to manipulate, makes for the best fit for you. When you put the cleat on, it will feel like it is molding to the shape of your foot especially in important areas such as the forefoot and to box area. This shoe is also very breathable for being a luxury leather shoe. If you are in the market for a leather soccer cleat, I recommend the Nike Tiempo a million times because the quality of the shoe is just like no other. 

    As I mentioned before, to get the perfect fit from right out of the box is a hard this to achieve and in my personal experience this shoe felt like it was molded for my foot the second I put it on! One big problem that has always been a problem for me is breaking in a shoe and having to go through that initial blistering stage in order to "break the shoe in" and have it become softer. 

    With this shoe I did not even need to go through that initial break in stage and have to go through that awful blistering stage when you first try on a new pair of cleats. For a long time now, people in the soccer community have been asking for a shoe that fits and feels like the perfect shoe and Nike really delivered with this Nike Tiempo and might very well be the closest material you can get on a shoe to fit like a mold. Is the aesthetic compromised a little bit? for me, yes. But I was willing to overlook that because the performance I get from this cleat is unmatched still.

    In game use, you will notice that you can almost feel the ball physically touching the inside of your foot every time you make contact with it and that is with have virtually two layers of materials between you and the ball. I feel like both the knit material and the thin kangaroo leather complement each other very well because it keeps you feeling comfortable and confident in passing or shooting the ball since you are able to really feel everything. 

    One of the main things that I really like from the Nike legend Tiempo's is the protection that you get from the shoe. And although I stated earlier that this cleat has virtually two components to it, that is what gives you a slightly greater protection that most other cleats. If you've ever been in a game, you know the feeling of being stepped on or feeling the scrapes or sudden bumps from the opposition and you know how much that hurts wearing a shoe that has a mesh upper. Since mesh uppers are so thin you are able to feel every bump and scrape that you come into contact with and they can be really annoying. 

    With the Tiempo's you eliminate almost all of that sacrifice that you have to give up with other shoes. I like to call these shoes "warriors" because they are always ready to take on the toughest challenges and go into battle. As we know sometimes futbol matches can get a bit crazy so having a good pair of cleats that can give you the best lightweight feel while also protecting yourself from injuries, that is what makes the Nike Tiempo's the perfect shoe for me and many other people around the world.

    

    Expectations for this shoe were high for me when first deciding to purchase this cleat because I spend a great deal of time surfing the internet to read review, recommended products etc. I came to the conclusion that they met and exceeded all of my expectations that I had for this shoe. This is why I decided to come on here and recommend this product to all of you that might be asking yourself what soccer cleat you should purchase next. 

    

    I will say that the price point on these are relatively high, so it is not a budget friendly shoe. However, I can justify the price based of everything that you are getting with this shoe. 

    I hope you found this post helpful and maybe even influenced you to purchase this shoe! You will not be disapointed.

How-To Improve your Soccer IQ

 

    Soccer IQ is very important to have when you are playing the game of futbol because this not only affects the way that you play, but the overall performance of the team. Some player are just natural born smart player and adapt to changes very easily during in-game situations; however, most player will have to take the time to learn as you gain experience and that is okay. Not everyone knows where to start improving or may not even know they lack skills in certain areas so in this article I am going to give you some tips on how to increase your soccer IQ so you can take your game to that next level and be able to elevate your teammates as well. 

            Positioning 

    First and foremost, one of the best skills to obtain and analyze is knowing where your teammates positioning is and where yours is on the pitch. This is an important skill to develop because it feeds into other areas of the game where you need to be consistent with to have a soccer IQ developed. For example, if you know where you are positioned as well as your teammates, you will be more likely to pick out better passes that influence the outcome of the game.

    I was always told to play smarter and not harder and I have implemented this into my game since. I was always told to "look for the easiest pass" and this was honestly some of the best soccer advice I have ever received because we as soccer player tend to get stuck on the idea of pressuring and attacking at all times but if you are aware of your opponent's position, you can play the ball easily to your open man. 

Play for the team

    Everyone likes to score goals and be the "best player on the team" but that does not win games. The game of futbol is not a one-man sport, as we know it is a collective effort between you, your players and coaches. If you are a selfish player and only care about filling out the stat sheet, your soccer IQ is not going to be where it should be to play at a high level. The greatest players in history are team players and they got there because they are aware that they need their teammates to help them achieve their goals. 

    Understand that you and your teammates are all on that pitch for one reason only, to win. You must have confidence in them as well as yourself in game situations. Your futbol IQ will increase gradually over the span that you work on being a team player so if you are a selfish player, work on changing that mindset. 

Change your game up

    A lot of futbol players will get stuck in a repetitive notion that allows them to be figured out by their opposition easily. For example, if you are in a game and you keep using the same skill move on and opponent, they are going to figure you out quickly and will stop you from progressing. This is why keeping your opponent's guessing is a major key here and you can do this by simply using new skill moves to get by them or by changing directions quickly and pass and move. Always stay moving because this confuses your opposition and they will have to work twice as hard to keep up with you and feeds into changing up your game because you are constantly moving and working. 

    This is a great tactic to use and is very efficient in the game. Player like Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gabriel Jesus are always changing the way that they attack and oppositions defense and the reason they are so successful. The greatest athletes have a deep arsenal and therefore, figuring them out is near impossible! Always remember that your opponent wants you to do the same thing so they will not have to work as hard so keeping them guessing increases your soccer IQ because it forces you to make quick decisions like passes. 

Know set piece tactics

    Set pieces are much more important than people think. Many games have been won due to set pieces so the importance of knowing your teams set piece plays is deeper than you think. A well-executed penalty kick or corner kick routine increases the likelihood of your team getting on the scoresheet. When I was playing soccer in college, we spend a great deal of time practicing our set piece routines over and over until we got it right. By doing this, you are improving your soccer IQ because you are learning and adapting to any environment on the pitch.

    A well executed set piece play not only looks good but is actually very effective. Your opposition does not know what to expect so you can easily catch them off guard and play around that. 

   Consistent Training 

    Everyone knows the saying "practice makes perfect" and this is true when preparing for anything in life not just sports. My favorite quote is, "do not practice until you get it right, practice until you cannot get it wrong". This has guided me in my trainings because I will not settle for less than my absolute best. When you are training you are increasing your soccer IQ because you are working different parts of your brain and body. Training your passing one minute then you dribbling the next all helps your soccer IQ. 

    A lot of players think that after one training session they are going to be able to dribble like Messi and shoot like Ronaldo and this is not the case. You must understand that results take time and developing a solid soccer IQ takes time and effort. You are not going to be able to walk on the pitch the next day and pick out passes like a pro but that is okay because in game situations is what is going to help you develop your soccer IQ.

    

Solve your Motivation Problem

 Find your Motivation 

    If you are a futbol player, you know that motivation has and will always be an ongoing problem in your internal self. Motivation is what drives you to keep going and performing at the highest level you possibly can and a lot of players now a days struggle to find the motivation that they need because they lack the patience and the discipline needed to succeed. 

    Patience 

    Patience is a virtue and when it comes to the game of soccer, we know that success does not happen overnight. With this game, you need to be willing to put the work in to see the long-term results that you dream of. This game is a lot like the stock market because when people enter the stock market, they expect to make thousands of dollars overnight and as we know it simply does not work that way. When you are dealing with the stock market, you need the training and the patience that it takes to accomplish your goals. 

    You must not fear failure if you are trying to become the best player you can be and in order to do that you must find the motivation to inspire yourself. The fair of failure is a very critical factor when it comes to this. For example, if a player loses the ball on a play or makes a wrong pass, they will become discouraged to try it again the next time around and this is the most common mistake that I see with young soccer players everywhere. You must remember that you must fail in order to succeed and this comes with trial and error so failing is the first step at becoming better. 

    Another major problem that I see is player that tend to practice and train their bodies too much. Your body has a limit and if you push those limits too far, it can result in negative effects for you. If you do this, you can become both mentally and physically exhausted. You must understand that your body is a temple and enables everything that comes from within and if you push the limits too far, it can cause great damage to both your mental and physical health so remember that resting days and relaxation is also important. 

Procrastination 

As we all know, procrastination is a big problem in almost everybody's life and this includes students, work, etc... It is important to understand that procrastination is a real thing in everyone's life and is a primary reason that people do not accomplish what they want to. 

    As a soccer player myself, I know how it feels to feel lazy and think "I will just go train tomorrow or maybe next week". It is very important to know that you are not the only person that is struggling with this problem and procrastination is very common in our society. We as a society want to succeed but we spend too much time on our phones and on the media that distracts us from what we need to be focusing on. 

    It is okay to procrastinate but it is also important to know that you are a lot better today than you were yesterday. This means that if you put in the work today, you will be much better than any opposition that did not put in the time that you did. Just know that tomorrow is never guaranteed so if you want the results that you desire, you need to work towards them today. 

    For example, when I was playing college soccer, I was waking up every morning at 5:30 am to go train for futbol because I knew that the next guy was not willing to put the same effort into the game as I was. At first it can be difficult because you are not used to the hard work, but you end up getting used to it and realize that you are working for a goal at the end of the day. If you are willing to work harder than the guy standing next to you then you will be successful. 

   Create a plan for yourself 

    If you do not know what you are doing or what you are planning for, you will lack the motivation that you need to succeed with you end goal. Having the motivation to do something is great but will you do something that will back it up? If you are taking action on what is in your head, then you are going to be unstoppable. A good way to accomplish this is by fixing any errors that you have made in the past and correcting them, so you do not have the same mistake in the future.

    For example, if you remember a bad past experience that you may have had like missing a penalty in a championship game, you should recognize this and be able to correct his mistake to better yourself and your team as a whole. 

    The thought of failure should motivate you to do better since your brain does not want you to fail again. When I fail at doing something, I hate to remember the past and I simply aim to correct this behavior, so I won't have to feel this same degrading emotion again. 

Go with the flow

    This sounds like such a simple topic but the importance of going with the flow is substantial because players need to stop worrying about the future so much and live in the present. If you worry about your future performances or games too much, then you will not be able to concentrate on what is important; and this is the present. Your best performance is going to be when you solely focus on what it is that you need to do now so you know how to better yourself in that moment which benefits you as a player a lot more. 

    We often suffer with anxiety and being scared of the future simply because we are scared of failure but if you follow the steps that I have given in the previous topics, you will see that finding your motivation to perform is all mental. It is much less physical work than you think and although the physical aspect of the game is important, the mental aspect of the game is what is going to push you to the next level. 

    I hope that this information was helpful for any player out there that is struggling to find their motivation to keep going and performing to the best of their ability. This leads me to ask you what you think is important to find motivation in your game? Do you agree with the short list I have provided? Why or why not? 

 

 

    

Neymar to Puma link

 

        

        Neymar recently signed a brand deal with Puma, in which Neymar (prior being the poster boy for Nike) took on a whole new challenge. This article below talks a great deal about the reasons that Neymar chose Puma over Nike and how it has changed the game of futbol. 

https://www.afrugalathlete.com/blog/2020/9/15/three-reasons-why-neymar-chose-puma

    I have decided to link up to this specific article because I am a Neymar fan and I was very intrigued to read about why Neymar might have left Nike for the lesser known Puma. 

    That being said, I would like to point out that I agree with afrugalathlete.com with the opening statement being about money. They stated that "Puma is betting big that Neymar is the man to take their brand to the next level in the soccer space, and Neymar has happily obliged. Neymar is building more than financial stability but generational wealth by adding a big income stream to his portfolio". Puma is reportedly paying Neymar 20 million euros!

    However, I do not think that money was the driving force of this operation. Neymar is often referred to the "third best soccer player in the world" just behind Leonel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Since Messi and Ronaldo already are each respectively signed to Nike and Adidas, I feel like Neymar wanted to be the face of a brand as well. It has worked in his favor because as mentioned, Neymar now has the face of a brand that he can claim as his, creative control and design in this deal and is making history in the soccer world.

    Do you think that Neymar should've ended his Nike deal? I personally think that this was the best option for the young superstar. This is a new chapter in his soccer career, and it is only going to go up from here.

Profile

     

        If you are an avid futbol learner, you have probably came across Soccer Reviews For You (SR4U) at some point on time on YouTube or other social media platforms. SR4U has over 650,000 YouTube subscribers and has provides endless content on all sorts of soccer products and gear. When this channel started, it wasn't the popular channel that it is today and overtime, it grew a loyal fan base because the quality of the content also grew. 

        SR4U developed unique characteristics for his channel that other channels do not which helped him gain competitive advantage over his competitors and cement himself in the soccer community. He spends a lot of time buying and testing everything from cleats to apparel and what makes his content so unique is that he do not just give you a normal review, but an in depth review that underlines all the strengths and weaknesses of a product. This is a great characteristic that up and coming creators can find inspiration in because people like to see in depth reviews since it ultimately will lead to a purchase or not. 

        Another great aspect you can take from SR4U is the brutally honest aspect of his reviews. He is completely honest about every product he reviews and does not fear attack or backlash, and this is very respectable. Even with his sponsorships with Nike and Adidas, SR4U will provide you with the most honest feedback so you can be sure you are getting the whole truth. 

        As a very respectable content maker, SR4U then branched out to launch his own website that sells replacement laces for all soccer cleats. This is another unique characteristic that differentiates him from other content creators since you can purchase affordable laces that look stylish and are unique! 

        If you can find ways to accomplish what SR4U has, it is a great way to establish yourself among the soccer community as well. It is okay to take inspiration from other content creators but just be yourself and be unique! 

Expert Interview

 

            Everyone who is truly passionate about the game of futbol wishes to take their skills to the next level. It is every young man's/women's dream to play soccer in college and maybe even beyond that but do not really understand what it takes to get to that level. I had these same kind of questions before I started playing soccer at my college but quickly figured out what it takes by asking my former coach a couple of important questions that I thought would be very informative and helpful to others.

 "Most important attribute a player should possess?"

            I asked my coach if he could answer a couple of important questions for me so that I can share with all of you and he agreed. The first questions I asked was "what is the most important attribute a player can have?" I was surprised by the quick response that I received to the question. He said, "discipline is very important for every athlete to have (not just in futbol but any sport)." He stressed that having the right mindset and will to work hard for the greater good of the team and not just for yourself is an important characteristic to have. He said he has seen many super talented players waste their talents because they do not have the discipline needed to be part of a high-level team. This information was very interesting because it goes to show that your character is more important than your skill. 

"Does hard work beat talent?"

        The other question that I asked my college soccer coach was "Does talent beat hard work?" and like the previous question, he stated, "Absolutely not! I would rather have a group of guys/girls that are willing to work hard every single day to better themselves and the team. Individual talent is amazing to have on a team but when you are able to mesh those two together, you create and unbreakable drive in the team" I have had personal experiences where a teammate thought he was too good to be working as hard as the rest of the team and that is the wrong mindset to have. From this short interview, I learned that hard work beats talent any day and it is what college coaches are looking for. Also, you must be very disciplined to enjoy the game and prevail the right way.

        This is great information that young futbol players can soak up and implement into their game and everyday lives. It also serves as a valuable life lesson if you take it that way. 

        Do you agree with these statements?  Why or why not? I would love to hear what you think is more important.