The Cleats
True Confession: My 9 year-old daughter is the only girl on her AYSO soccer team without cleats.
She wants cleats because every other girl on her team has them. In fact, nearly every other girl on her team shows up with a full duffel back of gear. My daughter arrives clad in sneakers and shin guards, carrying only a water bottle.
Even the coach seemed surprised when she said on the phone before the first practice “make sure she brings her cleats” and I asked if sneakers were OK. (Yes, they were.)
We can afford cleats, but I won’t buy them. I told my daughter that if she loves, loves, LOVES soccer this season and really, really, REALLY wants to play again next year, that I will get her cleats then, if she still wants them.
She seems resigned to that, but now I am the one obsessing about cleats. Last Saturday at the soccer field I took an informal visual survey and I would say that pretty much ALL the kids over 7 had them. I also saw quite a few of the younger ones with them too, even a few 5 year-olds.
Is it just me, or is this odd? They all have snazzy uniforms (cute though) and every child gets a personalized trophy at the end, whether they won or not, whether they even showed up or not. That’s all included in the price to sign up. I’ll save my thoughts on that for another post one day. Let’s focus here on “sports gear.”
This is not the World Cup. It’s not even school team sports. These are young children running around a soccer field every Saturday having fun (hopefully). Why on earth would a 9 year-old or younger, casual player need cleats?
Am I observing the success of sports gear marketing? Is it just another example of our modern consumer culture and “the need to have?“ Perhaps cleats are more important to a 9 year-old’s soccer career than I can possibly fathom as a non-jock? Will my daughter be warped for life because her crazy Mom wouldn’t let her have any at age 9? These are the questions I currently ponder throughout my day.
For now however, until I see true commitment to the sport, she’ll be in sneakers. (But…see follow up below)
NOTE: Please read the comments for some more knowledgeable explanations about the value of cleats! Thank you!!!
FOLLOW-UP:
Thanks so much for all the great information! It’s unanimous! I am glad to see that this is NOT a case of marketing excess and we are off to find some cleats before the next game. My daughter will be pleased.
Plus, next season I think I’ll be setting up a cleat exchange table at the start of the season. Kids grow so fast that I am sure there are families buying new cleats every year, especially without siblings as a source of hand-me-downs. What a waste of money and perfectly good cleats that someone else could use!
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
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Themocracy
I started playing soccer as a young kid (and still play), and my oldest son started at four. They need cleats, seriously. Not at four, but by nine, definitely. Funds are limited around here, so we definitely look for thrifted soccer shoes, but cleats greatly increase traction (obviously, right), so players regardless of age or ability are much less prone to slipping and injury. I can’t imagine playing soccer on wet grass in sneakers! Too easy to twist an ankle. Cleats allow you to stop and start easily, turn on a dime, and boost your confidence accordingly.
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Mom Unplugged Reply:
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:57 pm
This is one of the reasons I like having a blog. If I have a question, there are loads of experts out there to answer! Thank so much for filling me in. Perhaps they should be made mandatory then, like shin guards? What about the expense for those children who can’t afford them? How about a “cleat exchange” at the start of each soccer season? Interesting questions! Thanks again for your input, I really appreciate it!
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I was coming in to say exactly the same thing as Kate has said. Nothing to do with consumerism gone mad but to do with safety and being able to play the sport at the best of your ability whatever your age.
Cass Ward´s last blog ..Arrgh
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Mom Unplugged Reply:
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Hi Cass,
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! You and Kate have been very helpful. In my soccer playing days no one wore cleats except for the real school team players. I guess we’d better go get some. Thanks again!
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Yes, I would definitely say to get the cleats. It has nothing to do with the marketing/consumer tactic, but more so with safety and effectiveness playing the game. I always buy my son what the required items are, but the extras i.e. the duffel bag, the warm up suit, the extra hats etc.
Jazzy´s last blog ..L.A. Fires From Space
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I asked my soccer referee hubby and he said, yes, she needs cleats because: They enhance the player’s ability to play, especially to the level of the other players with cleats, they help with traction, support, balance, and her skills would be improved. She will technically have improved skill level with better equipment.
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Thanks so much for all the great information! It’s unanimous! I am glad to see that this is NOT a case of marketing excess and we are off to buy some cleats before the next game. My daughter will be pleased!
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I can sympathize with your post! Anybody want to tell me why E “needs” a tutu to participate in her ballet class? :) I bought the cheapest outfit (including shoes and tights) that I could find, and the whole thing came to over $60. She’s THREE. I love the exchange idea. I suggest you post a wanted ad on Craigslist and Freecycle. That’s what I’m going to do when E needs to trade up on her dance outfit. Or you can organize with the other Moms on the team to set up a free table at the end or start of the season. I’ll bet you’ll have some takers!
Meg´s last blog ..Unplugged - Geometric!
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Mom Unplugged Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 6:07 am
Meg,
That’s a GREAT idea. I’ll just have to be proactive on this one. They outgrow shoes so quickly that I would imagine everyone has to get new ones for each season, especially without multiple siblings as a source of hand-me-downs.
AYSO does not make cleats mandatory so it isn’t like families have to buy them, however I see from the comments that cleats are desirable for performance, and more importantly safety.
If my daughter sticks with soccer I think I’ll be organizing that table. Perhaps they would let me do it at registration even?
And the dance thing does get pricey. In the dance school here they require that you buy not only the practice clothes and shoes, but also a fancy costume for the recital - the costume alone is about $75! I have always wondered how many families afford it.
Thanks so much for your comment!
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I am so glad you asked this as I too feel like the sports thing gets over the top. My children play in NYSO or AYSO and I am amazed at the whole *deal* - trophies, gear bags, extra equipment, etc. What happened to just playing to play? But I digress. It is good to know that cleats are needed as my children get older, but not necessarily at 6 or 4.
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Mom Unplugged Reply:
September 4th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Yes, I agree. It’s like all the bicyclists you see wearing the spandex racing suits. I wonder how many of them really race?
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Carol Reply:
September 5th, 2009 at 5:57 am
I think they wear them because they shed sweat more efficiently and the shorts are padded, very important if you spend a lot of time in the saddle. I have done a lot of sports and it is important to have the right equipment.
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Mom Unplugged Reply:
September 5th, 2009 at 8:15 am
I guess I have a lot to learn about sports. Sigh. I’m glad to learn about the padded seat though, I’ll have to remember that if I ever do more bike riding than a tour of the neighborhood! :)
i just have to pop in to say that i’m glad you’ll be setting up a cleat swap next year. also, i was at my local kids consignment shop today and i couldn’t believe the giant bucket of cleats they had! what a coincidence to come home and read this :O) maybe you’ll find some there, too.
shawna´s last blog ..
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Looks like you’ve had lots of input on this! I was sympathizing until I spoke with my husband; I figure why spend tons of money on something until you’re sure your kid will actually enjoy it. But his point - they may not enjoy it because they don’t have the right gear… Along with all the reasons why cleats are important.
However, I would never buy the stuff first-hand to begin with. There is tons of sports gear in kid consignment shops and second-hand stores, so you don’t have to break the bank to get your kid outfitted.
Mozi Esme’s Mommy´s last blog ..Fashion Friday
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there’s a second hand sports store in my area-you might check for something like that in your city.
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Mom Unplugged Reply:
September 8th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately we live in a tiny town so the best I can hope for is a thrift store. Hopefully someone in a bigger city reading your comment will be able to try for a second hand sports store! Thanks again for the comment!
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A good friend emailed me with the following helpful advice which I thought I should pass on in case there are any other non-expert soccer moms out there who also wonder about this:
“I completely agree with your readers’ comments about cleats - they especially help with changing direction and avoiding slipping in wet conditions - but I had one other thought. You may wish to stay away from cleats made of hard materials - whether very firm leather or hard synthetic. E won’t need them for protection for her feet (other kids shouldn’t weigh too much) and they tend to cause more ankle injuries because they do not bend or flex with the foot (they just go all the way over). This I know from experience. Softer or “more pliant” materials for cleats, whether leather or synthetic material, should work fine for her at this age, and also help her get better control over the ball since she will be able to feel it through the shoe (another thing you lose wearing sneakers). Good luck and hope she enjoys. Soccer is the best!”
Thanks K! Great advice and very encouraging. It almost makes me want to play soccer too! (well..almost)
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I know exactly what you mean. My daughter has recently started horseback riding lessons (taught for free by my dad’s new wife). And while I’ve relented and let my dad buy her necessary equipment, he has to justify every single purchase. Helmet- necessary. Riding pants- I thought were just cosmetic, but they have seams in different places so you don’t get rubbed raw. Boots with heals- necessary to keep your feet from sliding all the way through the stirups (though we did buy some knee-high rubber boots instead of the leather ones that some kids wear).
Do I realize how lucky I am that Grandpa is footing the bill for this? You betcha. I am still insisting on frugality, though.
Wendy´s last blog ..A Giveaway!
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Mom Unplugged Reply:
September 28th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
The cleats are my first foray into the expenses of sports (although we did do the dance thing for two years with the $75 costumes). I am glad I am not the only one to be skeptical about the apparent necessities. I did finally buy my daughter some cleats since it seems to be a safety issue, but riding pants? I wonder what kind of a post I would have written about riding pants!! LOL! I am glad (and as surprised as you) to know that they have more than a cosmetic function. Thanks so much for your comment!
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