What you should know about youth soccer cleats is this; they should be fun, comfortable, and inspire the youngsters to emulate their heroes. This is easier said than done, however, and for the beginner there are so many choices the situation can promptly become disorienting. So, taking this step by step, we will devise criteria one which a decision may be based.

The most important thing is to make sure the child is motivated to play. Like in any sport, they will find pros to be inspirational role models and wish to imitate their skill. So, naturally wearing the cleat of their favorite player is a must. There is nothing wrong with this, and indeed the morale boosting factor will play a role in the child's soccer development. However, while this is a good start, the choice isn't quite that simple.

There is a fast boot. The shoe of both Ronaldo and Messi. First brought to the fore of the soccer market in the form of the Mercurial Vapor, they are now represented by many different brands in many different colors and sizes. They are meant for speed, so they are light and thin. They won't take long to form to the foot, so breaking them in is no problem. What they optimize in pace and convenience, however, they can lack in support. Since everything has been slimmed down, they can be quite hard on the ankles and souls of the feet. This must be considered.

A flatter boot is generally favored for it's support. The typical good old vintage midfielders boot. The Beckenbauers, the Zidanes, the Pirlos have worn them. They are known variably as control boots. They are generally made of leather (a theme which is beginning to change, however) and sport a greater surface area by which a player may make certain his or her passes. To dominate the field requires composure and that is what these shoes inspire.

These are merely two polar opposite choices, however, and there are a vast amount of shoes running the gamut. A child picking his first pair should think about what they enjoy doing on the field, how they wish to express themselves, and then, from that vantage point, find their match. The decision will often be clear, and there will definitely be no lack of options.

There is another slightly more tedious bit of knowledge one should have before going through this process. When children are young, they are really learning the very basics of the game, and the emphasis must be on health, safety, and comfort, lest the experience become miserable. So, rather than picking the most expensive shoe, it is often better to try a similar model but for a lower price. They are often less streamlined and thus provide greater support and plushness. This is obviously dependent on the brand and should be awarded virtue based on merit.

It can't be stressed enough, how important comfort is. Remember it is a long time to be running, jumping, and kicking around a big field. So, when picking the cleat, make sure the child wears them and jumps around in them at the store to get a feel for how they bend and slide around the foot. The fit should be snug but not overly tight in any one area. If there is too much space at the toe, this could pose a hazard. Also check the studs and make sure they are plastic, unless otherwise noted by the league, for soft ground ones are usually only allowed at higher levels.

That is what you should know about youth soccer cleats. It is one of those experiences which ought to leave a lasting memory, and be looked forward to along with birthdays and holidays. It is a celebration about the art that is soccer and the explosion of aesthetic appeal and samba dazzle.