Mercurial Vapor IX

                              

                               Mercurial Vapor IX Cleats

The new Nike Mercurial Vapor IX has already made a huge impact on the pitch with the Sunset and Fireberry colorways demanding much attention. Now they have added another colorway to the collection – a slightly less outlandish platiunum/black/green. 

Nike have released their version of the teijin synthetic upper boot which offers increased leather-like properties to be available alongside the completely new upper developed especially for the Vapor IX. The real improvement that I noticed from this cleat compared to previous pairs was the strength of the material on top of the cleat. It felt strong and stable on my foot. Nike's All Conditions Control (ACC) technology further aids a player's performance, to help ensure the cleat gives a consistent touch whether playing in wet or dry weather. 

If you are a pacey winger, or top goal-scoring striker, then these are definitely the cleats for you.

After slipping the cleats onto my feet I instantly noticed the teijin upper, and how it still delivers a high level of support and touch for those who like a snug and responsive fit. I was impressed with how well the upper locks down on the foot and prevents any kind of unnecessary movement within the cleat. The heel gave a soft cushioning, even though the traction from underneath is everything an explosive speed player needs. 

Perfect fit!!

There are twin studs at the back of the cleat which allow for a quick release from the grass, and then a further four studs that make up the rest of the underneath grip. I noticed that the blades felt highly responsive and allowed for me to make game-altering changes of direction at high speeds. I ran a speed training session in these cleats and couldn't help but notice my explosive speed coming off from the ground- what a bonus!

The new lightweight Vapor IX have shaved another 2 grams off the cleat, which now tips the scales at 214g. You can really feel the lightness of the cleat on your feet when you're playing, which is just want you want. It is great when you don't notice a cleat on your foot. It certainty makes it easier when it comes to controlling the ball. Even with the lightweight cleat, it still felt very durable. The sole plate consists of two layers of glass fiber fussed together for a flexible forefoot, this provides excellent energy return when a player is trying to push off from the ground. 

The breaking in part of these cleats was outstanding. I have never experienced anything like this! Coming from someone who struggles to break in cleats, wearing the new Mercurial Vapor IX for the first time was astonishingly pain-free. I left the field with ZERO blisters- which is a first may I add. This is a definite improvement on previous pairs of Vapor's, which have often taken me a while to break in properly. 

The only real negative that I found from using these cleats is that if you get stomped on then it WILL hurt, but this is the sacrifice you make when you go for a light, thin upper cleat. However, in my opinion the sacrifice is worth it because having the lightness and perfect touch on the ball is something very few cleats can offer. If you are a defender, I would think twice about wearing these cleats because of how lightweight and flexible they are. They're a perfect striker's cleat, but defenders have to make many crunching tackles which could leave you with a bruised foot if you attempt that with the Mercurial Vapor IX. 

The Mercurial Vapor IX is a really great cleat that can take any player and make them better. It gives them a small edge on their competition. If you're looking for a cleat that can give you the head start above your opponents, I would recommend looking no further. The Mercurial Vapor IX is your cleat. 

This is my sixth pair of Mercurial Vapor's and I have yet to be disappointed with a single pair. It seems that every year Nike top themselves and introduce a better, more comfortable, sleek cleat.  

Check out the Nike store online to get your very own pair of Nike Mercurial Vapor IX. Trust me, you will not regret it. Once you try Vapor's, you will never want to wear another cleat. 

World Cup 2014: The Top 10 Players to Watch Out For

The World Cup is the pinnacle of a professional soccer player's career. It is an opportunity to write their names in the history books. Here is my list of the top 10 best players to watch out for in Brazil when you're glued to the screens this summer.  

10. Eden Hazard, Belgium

You are looking at 2014's best young player of the year. Coming off a fantastic season with Chelsea, he is sure to carry his talent over to this year's World Cup. Watch out for the new kid on the block!

9. Andrea Pirlo, Italy 

The legend of Italy. You won't find a classier player than Pirlo. With that left foot wip, he is sure to scare the opposition when stepping up for a free-kick. With this being his last World Cup, I'm sure he will want to add another star to the Italian jersey.

8. Arjen Robben, Netherlands 

With his tricky left foot, Robben is certainty going to be a hand full for most defenders. The Netherlands have a good chance this World Cup if Robben can inspire some great performances from himself and his team.

7. Xavi, Spain

Barcelona and Spain's midfield maestro. Not many can pass the ball like Xavi, with his high pass completion rate he is sure to stand out this summer.

6. Yaya Toure, Ivory Coast

Runner up to Suarez for player of the year in the premiership. He had a fantastic season at Manchester City and really clocked up the goals for them. Can he achieve this playing in a slightly weaker team? We shall see.

5. Neymar, Brazil 

The Brazilian whiz kid. With his recent move to Barcelona, playing with many of the best players in the world is sure to have improved his game. Can he reproduce his sparkling performances for Brazil?

4. Sergio Ramos, Spain

His season with Real Madrid just finished with winning the Champion's League notching two goals in the semi-final, not bad for a center defender. Ramos is a definite stand out this summer!

3. Luis Suarez, Uruguay

Mr. player of the year along with Mr. top goal scorer of the year. I don't think Suarez could have enjoyed a better season, and he is hoping to carry on this performance into the World Cup.

2. Lionel Messi, Argentina

Fighting Ronaldo for the top spot in men's soccer. He hasn't had his best season this year, but still stands head and shoulders above most other strikers that appear in the World Cup. Messi is hoping that he can take Argentina all the way in this year's World Cup.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal 

Voted Ballon d'Or winner 2014 and broke the Champion's League goal scorer record. Can he top this season's success by taking home the World Cup? Ronaldo will be the name on everyone's lips this summer.

If you have any of these players in your dream team, you are sure to do well this World Cup, and if you haven't made one yet- go ahead and click the link. It is guaranteed to make every game that little bit more exciting. 

Do you agree or disagree? How would your top 10 players to watch this summer differ? Leave your comments below. 

Soccer Rules 101

What are the rules of soccer you ask?

Look no further as this guide comes with the 12 need to know laws of the game.

Law #1- The Soccer Field

There are few limitations when it comes to soccer fields, even at the highest level. The only standard rule given by FIFA (The Federation Internationale de Football Association) regarding a professional 11 vs 11 soccer match is the length. The field must be between 100 and 130 yards and the width must be between 50 and 100 yards. As you can imagine, many soccer fields are all different sizes and this can depend on how the team wants to play or how they believe they can be effective. Every game of soccer that is played could be on a different sized field as long as it is between the regulations.

Law #2- The Soccer Ball

The laws regarding a soccer ball are a little more stricter than those for a soccer field. A soccer ball circumference must be no more than 28 inches, and no less than 27 inches. Depending on the age groups playing soccer, depends on what size ball they should play with. 

For 12 years and older, a size five ball is used. It should be spherical and made of leather. The ball must not weigh more than 450 grams and no less than 410 grams at the start of the soccer game. Under 12's play with a size four ball and under 10's play with a size three ball. 

Law #3- Number of Players

A soccer game is played by two teams, with each team allowed no more than 11 players on the field at any one time. One of these players on each team is a goalkeeper. A match by the laws of FIFA cannot start if either team has fewer than seven players. If this number also goes below seven during the game, then the game is abandoned. 

The formation of a team can vary depending on their manager and the way they play. The most common formations to play with are 4-3-3 and 4-4-2. That includes four defenders, three midfielders (or four) and three strikers (or two). 

Law #4- Playing equipment

The laws of the game state that soccer players are not allowed to use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to themselves or another player, this includes all forms of jewelry. A soccer player's basic equipment must consist of; a jersey or shirt with sleeves, soccer shorts, shin-guards, socks and soccer cleats/shoes (depending on surface). 

Each team must wear different colors that distinguish themselves from the opposition, referee and assistant referees. There can be no color clashes at all, otherwise the away team has to change jerseys.

Law #5- The Referee

A soccer referee is the main authority figure during the game. Their job is to enforces the laws of the game and give the final decision on any call that he/she makes. Above you can see a referees actions during a game, this is more of a spoof- but very funny! 

The referee controls the match along with the assistant referees and at professional level, a fourth official is used. The assistants and fourth assistant help the main referee to complete his/her job to the best of their ability and to often see calls that the main official cannot see because of restricted views or the speed of play during a soccer game. The main referee ensures that the ball and player's equipment meets the FIFA requirements, acts as a timekeeper and stops play for infringement of the laws. 

Law #6- Assistant Referee

In soccer there are two assistant referees. Their job is to call offsides and throw-ins, and to also help/guide the main field referee with his or her decisions. The assistance referees carry a flag to sign their observations to the main referee. The flags are brightly colored with yellow and red squares, to draw attention to the flag for any observation called. The assistant referees must monitor the sidelines and goal lines, and are to flag if the ball goes out of play. The assistant referee must signal which team the goal kick or throw-in should be awarded to. Their job can also be to highlight any unsporting behavior that the referee could have missed or not had a good view of. Assistant referee's usually have ear pieces and microphones so that they can speak to their main referee. 

Law #7- Duration of a Soccer Game

Soccer games consist of two 45 minute halves. The half time interval of the game must not exceed 15 minutes and can only be altered upon consent of the referee. The referee can and may add additional time because of substitutions, injuries, time wasting or any other time consuming activity. This additional time can be added at the end of both 45 minute halves. On average additional time is usually between 2-4 minutes per half. It can be longer if there has been a significant amount of time missed. The referee will stop the clock when there is time wasting or injuries and this will be added together to equal the additional time at the end of each halve. Extra time can also occur in soccer games in competition cups because a winner needs to be decided. If the game is a competition cup, and it is tied at 90 minutes, the game will have two 15 minutes periods of extra time. If the game is still tied, it will continue to a penalty shoot out where the game can be decided. 

Law #8- Starting of the Game

A kick off starts the game of play, and is also a way of restarting play. Kick off occurs to begin the match, if a goal has been scored, to begin the second half and to begin a period of extra time. During a kick off, the ball has to go forward over the half way line to be an acceptable kick off. A player can then kick the ball backwards once it has entered over the half way line. 

Law #9- Goal Scored

A goal is scored when the whole soccer ball completely crosses the goal line between the posts and crossbar. This is providing there is no offside, foul or handball between the crossing of the line. The team that scores the most goals in a game, wins the match. If the number of goals is equal between the two sides at the end of the soccer game then it is considered a tie. In competition cup time when there is a required winner, the outcome of the game can be decided on away goals, extra time or penalty shoot outs. 

Law #10- Out of Play

A soccer ball is considered out of play when it has fully crossed the goal line, end line or sideline. Other than these times, the ball is in play. The referee will stop the game if the ball is out of play. 

Law #11- Offside

This is one of the most difficult rules to understand in soccer, and it can take sometime to understand/learn it. FIFA states that a player is deemed offside if he/she is closer to the goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender. However, this is only if it occurs in the opposition's half. A player cannot be offside in their own half. A player is offside when the ball is played to him/her, or if they are actively involved in the play (e.g. a distraction to goalkeeper, touch ball). 

Law #12- Fouls and Disciplinary

Direct free-kick= When the referee stops play for certain fouls. This can include an unfair tackle, kicking an opponent or pushing an opponent. Opposing players must stand 10 yards from the ball when the free kick is taken. 

Penalty Kick= When a player is fouled inside the oppositions penalty box. This can be from any of the fouls listed above. A penalty is taken from the penalty spot in the 18 yard box. One player has a shot against the goalkeeper, all other players stand outside the box and can only enter when the ball has been kicked. The ball can only be kicked after the referee has blown their whistle. 

Indirect Free-kick= If a goalkeeper touches the ball with his/her hands after a teammate has deliberately passed him/her the soccer ball. An indirect free-kick is also given if the goalkeeper touches the ball with his/her hands after it has been released from their possession. 

Yellow Card= A player is cautioned with a yellow card for unsporting behavior, dissent or delays the play. If a player commits one of these fouls twice, he will be shown a red card and sent off the field of play. 

Red Card= A player is given a red card if they are guilty of a dangerous foul, violent conduct, denying a goal scoring opportunity to the opposition deliberately or using offensive/abusive language. If a player receives a red card, they are to leave the field of play immediately and sit in the dressing rooms. They are not allowed to watch the game from the stands or substitutes bench. 

I hope this helped you to learn the basic rules of the most loved sports game on earth. Now time to get out there and start playing!!