F.C. Revolution

Welcome to the Coaches Corner.  In this section of the website you will find a variety of information from the FC Revolution staff, as well as coaches abroad, about the details that are sometimes overlooked in becoming a great soccer player.  Enjoy!

The professional and his shoes

Polishing soccer shoes has been a tradition for generations in the professional game.  Multi-million dollar athletes sit in locker rooms before matches, polishing their own shoes as though they were still playing youth soccer.  So why don't they have the local ball boy do the job for them?  It is because polishing shoes is as much about ritual as it is about preservation.  Great athletes spare no detail when training, eating, or mentally preparing for games.  Polishing and lacing up the spikes is the final step in the process.  Once the shoes are buffed and ready, they are laced up and it is time to play!

Take care of your shoes and they will take care of you

When you first get a pair of soccer shoes, make sure you polish them. This is to soften the leather so you'll get better touch and feel on the ball, and to make them water resistant. 

Is it a good idea to soak the shoes in water when you first get them? 

If the shoes are really stiff, then the first time you wear them, it's ok to get them a little wet, but make sure you place newspapers inside the shoes after you wear them and polish them when they're dry.  If you soak the shoes they could become over stretched, so it depends upon how tight the shoes are and the type of leather.  Don't place the shoes in direct sunlight or they could crack as they become over dried.

Here's a quick run down of some of the key soccer shoe care tips.  If you're a serious soccer player then you've got to have a good pair of shoes, so it starts with buying a quality pair of shoes and not a heavy or inflexible shoe. 

Shoe Care Tips

• Clean your shoes after practice so the dirt doesn't damage the leather and the shoes will last longer.  Dirt can bring moisture out of the leather and ruin them - make them over dry and begin to crack.
• If really wet, say after a rain storm when the field is soaked, place newspaper inside the shoe to soak up the water so the shoes aren't over stretched and lose shape.
• Polish your shoes after they dry out - this will preserve the leather and make them last.  If your shoe is too dry it could stiffen and crack.
• Store shoes in a breathable bag - nothing sealed but one with holes.
• A shoe care product like leather food or mink oil will also help soften and condition the leather of the shoe.

Shoe Care Don'ts

• Don't put shoes in front of heater or in the dryer - may crack the leather if they get too dry.
• Don't wear your shoes on the cement or a hard surface.  This will wear down the cleats and is also dangerous.  You could slip and fall.
• Don't use sealing type products like wax or silicone based products to polish shoes.
• Don't use soaps or cleaning products. Water and a wash cloth should do the trick.
• Don't seal them in a plastic bag where the shoes can't dry out.  Even when the field isn't wet your shoes will soak up your own sweat.  After playing they need to be aired out - don't just leave them trapped in your bag until the next training session.

Important Information for parents and players coming soon!

Topics will include:

• College Recruiting
• Nutrition
• Personal Training Habits
• Professional Player Links
• Fitness
• Tactics
• Technical Training
• Psychological Components
• Plus...MUCH MORE!