Shin Guards: Big, Small, What Kind?

A lot of players do not like wearing shin guards, others don't mind. For some reason, it has become a topic of debate whether teams should wear shin guards in practice or not. However, that is a debate for another day. Today, I will discuss the differences between different types/sizes of shin guards.

Ankle Shin Guards

These are the first shin guards every player wore growing up. It had an ankle strap for extra protection around the ankles. As you got older, you probably did not like the bulkiness of it and switched to a smaller, slip in shin guard. This type of shin guard, however, is very comfortable and offers a lot of protection. You do not have to worry about your shin guard sliding around while you play, which is the most annoying part of wearing them.

Slip-in Shin Guards

Slip in shin guards are the most common shin guards. Per their name, you just slip under your soccer socks or inside of a shin guard sleeve as seen on the left side of the picture. They're light, durable and comfortable if you find a pair that fits your shin nicely. They do not offer nearly as much protection as ankle shin guards, but most players eventually give up on ankle and shin protection. I know I have, I can't really explain why.

Size
Shin guards come in a bunch of sizes. There are recommendations based on your height, but it really comes down to comfort. Many players prefer a smaller shin guard that's low profile and only protects the upper, exposed part of the shin. If I had to recommend a size, I would say find one that is comfortable. Don't sacrifice comfort for protection when it comes to shin guards. If you are a confident player and you know how to go into tackles properly, you shouldn't have to worry too much about protection.

Review: Adidas X 15.1 Leather FG

Back in 2015, Adidas released their new X and Ace series'. Both were released in a synthetic, as well as leather version. I always liked the leather feel, so I picked up a pair of the X 15.1 leathers for myself! Here are my thoughts:

Upper
The upper is a mix of leather and synthetic materials. From the heel up to the toe box is synthetic. It is fairly flexible, but still stiff enough to keep your foot secured. The toe box, on the other hand, is made of kangaroo leather, which is a premium material. Now I went a half size down because I knew that king of leather would really stretch and mold to my foot. Luckily, I was correct. It really stretched out nicely during the breaking in process.

Sole
Adidas started using a new stud configuration on the bottom of the shoe that mixes traditional firm ground studs with artificial ground studs. I have to say, it helps a lot if you play on artificial turf often. Where you really feel the difference is in pivoting; you really feel locked into the ground for ample traction.

Fit
The fit is a little odd. Like a mentioned before, the leather on the toe box stretches nicely for a comfortable fit. However, these cleats do not have the best heel lock. I have noticed the feeling of my heel coming out of the shoe while running. It seems like the back of the shoe does not come hi enough on the achilles to really lock your foot in. That being said, the more you wear them, the less noticeable it becomes.

All in all, it is a nice hybrid cleat if you like some leather, but a lighter shoe that won't stretch too much over time. If the heel problem does not arise with you, than I would recommend them, but definitely make sure you try them on a walk around in them before making the purchase.

Top 3 World Cup Balls

This is my list of the top 3 World Cup edition soccer balls that have been released for each tournament. Here we go:

3. The Teamgeist from 2006 in Germany

This was the first ball to be used in the World Cup that did not feature the traditional hexagonal pattern. Instead, this ball had a four-panel stitching pattern on it. The idea was to make the ball as round as possible by eliminating a lot of the stitching. This was also the first World Cup ball to be a part of the more modern, lighter era of soccer balls that we use today.








2. The Jabulani from 2009 in South Africa

The Jabulani in 2010 became a nightmare for goalkeepers. The triangle stitching pattern ended up making shots knuckle all over the place (not it's intended purpose). Me as an attacking player, I absolutely love shooting this ball! Although it sometimes ends up way off target, you can do some pretty fantastic stuff with this ball; particularly on free kicks.









1. The Fevernov from 2002 in Korea and Japan

If I am being perfectly honest, this is my number one ball for one reason: IT LOOKS SO COOL! Something about the "ninja star" design on has always looked great to me, especially when the ball is spinning through the air. I know it is not the best criteria to judge on, but if you disagree, comment below and give me your top three!

4-4-2 vs. 4-5-1 Soccer Formation

Throughout my playing career, I have played a bunch of different formations on the field; everything from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 to a 4-3-3. However, the two most consistent formations I have played and played against are the 4-4-2 and the 4-5-1. Which one is "better" you say? Let's find out!

4-4-2

The 4-4-2 is your most popular and most common formation, especially in youth soccer in America. It consists of two center backs, two outside backs, two center midfielders, two outside midfielders (or wingers) and two strikers up top. It is the most balanced formation in my eyes, allowing outside players to assist in attacking plays while still having enough players behind the ball to stop counter attacks (at least in theory).

4-5-1

The 4-5-1 is a little more rare than the 4-4-2, but appears as a more defensive formation for a team who likes to possess the ball. Having three center midfielders can help a team dominate possession of the ball. One great thing about the 4-5-1, however, is that you can push one of the center midfielders forward in a supporting striker role. Having a linking player between the midfield and strikers can wreak havoc, especially in the final third.

The Conclusion
These two formations are pretty much interchangeable because of how similar they are. If you are playing a 4-4-2 and one striker holds and plays beneath the other, it could be considered a 4-5-1. It all comes down to how the players on the field move. That being said, I like the idea of having three central players in the middle of the field, especially if you are playing on a wide surface and the outside players can really stretch out the field. Controlling the game starts from the middle of the field, so if you can lock that down, you will have the majority of possession. As long as you are confident in your lone striker's ability and the ability of your team to support that lone striker when attacking, the 4-5-1 is a great option. Let me know if you feel otherwise! Comment below!

Trusox: Are they worth it?

If you spent some time around a soccer field or even just like to watch games on TV, you may have seen some little black or white dots on the back of some player's ankles. That would be because they are wearing a pair of Trusox, shown in the picture above. The are essentially a no-slip, no-blister sock.

So what they have done is make a premium sock and added small little grip-pads along the bottom and up the back of the heel. They also put these little pads on the inside of the sock. This ensures that your foot will not slip inside the sock and the sock will not slip inside your shoes. The dots that go up further on the ankle do not serve a purpose...I guess they just look cool.

I own two pairs of Trusox and they truly (no pun intended) make a difference. The little grip-pads are almost like a soft towel material that actually get more grip as you sweat. The feeling at first is a little odd against your foot because you can feel them. However, you soon forget about them as soon as you start to play. The pads do not go all the way up to the tip of your toe, so you can still wiggle your toes around with them being stuck down to the shoe. All in all, they do offer more grip and really do feel better in your soccer shoes or cleats than traditional mid-calf socks or soccer socks. Comment below to let me know what you think or if you have any questions about them!

Messi or Ronaldo: Which would you want on your team?

For the past four or five years, soccer fans across the world have been debating who is the best player in the world: Lionel Messi or Christiano Ronaldo. Although you can through other names into the hat, these two have been the focus of the discussion. If you break them down by statistics and playing styles, it is really hard to say who takes the top spot.

Statistics: 

Messi scored 41 goals during the 2015-2016 year in in 48 appearances with 21 assists.

Ronaldo Scored 51 goals in 47 appearances with 15 assists in all competitions.

Playing styles:

Messi plays more of a central attacking role with Barcelona. He serves as a linking player (playing between midfielders and the strikers) which has become known as the "10" spot. It allows him to distribute, as well as go forward on attacking plays and counter attacks.

Ronaldo primarily plays on the outside with Real Madrid. He is the "highlight reel" player, providing a dynamic attack from a wide position, which can cause serious defensive breakdowns for a back line.

If you had to choose one for your team, I think it comes down to the role you need to fill on the field. Ronaldo scored 10 more goals than Messi last year, but Messi provided 6 more assists. If I am looking for a player who can stretch the field and provide quick counters when needed, I would go with Ronaldo. If I am looking for someone to help distribute the ball and help possess in the final third, I would go with Messi. I personally have always sided with Messi, but mainly because I have always played a central midfield role and looked up to his ability to control a game and strike at the drop of a dime. That being said, the discussion (or most times argument) over these two shall continue.