This one's for Camby

Now, I reckon that a lot of the latest "technology" in cleats has no significant impact. Football boot companies issue new technologies to sell this season's boots, and convince buyers they are missing out on a large leap forward in stud pattern, mid-sole support or upper material.

Once you have found comfortable cleats that feel good to play in, you are better off investing your time and money on training or high level competition, instead of spending an extra $100 on fancier cleats. Camby may debate this...

I thought I would share what cleats I use. At the moment, I own several pairs. I have a few pairs in the cupboard, buying when I see a sale rather than when I need a new pair. I am banking on the fact I will be playing ultimate for more than 12 more months (seems likely!).

Gaia Ion Flame

These cleats are well padded everywhere inside - easy on the feet. Probably good for those prone to blisters. It also means your feet don't move around at all. The upper is kind of plonked onto the sole - not much design to minimise the inevitable splitting of sole and upper.

Also, the bulk of the shoe and depth/position of the studs makes me feel I am a little more likely to roll over on my ankle. Available for quite a low price.

Nomis Rapid FG

Nomis, an Australian based company, have a sale on now (the rugby league State of Origin models are now $100, down from $300). The Rapids are the cheapest in the Nomis range and are the newest addition. Nomis started with models only over $200 but are now entering the $100 price point too, after building an identity as a "deluxe" brand.

The Rapids don't have any special upper surfaces for gripping soccer balls in the wet or dry. But I don't kick soccer balls, so nothing lost there. Other cleats from Nomis (not these though) claim they are less likely to pick up mud on the cleats, reducing weight on muddy fields. So these ones still pick up mud. The inner sole is also cushy and removable. Basically these are conventional leather soccer cleats without Nomis' extra "technologies".

Nike Vapor Jet 4.2

I don't own these cleats. But I may buy a pair when I visit the States, since they're not sold in Australia. These are American football cleats, and I would like to see how, or if, they are noticeably different to soccer boots.

Soccer boots are designed for running, turning and kicking soccer balls. American football cleats for big linebackers have protection, support and traction, while cleats for nimble wide receivers are designed for running and turning. They are also allowed to have a toe cleat (soccer boots aren't).

Asics Gel Lethals

I don't wear these cleats much. They have lots of cushioning - good for hard ground or training. However, they are noticeably heavier than soccer boots - I feel slightly faster in soccer boots. Also, Lethals all seem to start from $130, and the shoes above are all cheaper.

Also, now is a good time to buy cleats, with some sports stores having mid-year sales. August to September are also good times when stores clear winter stock out to make room for summer sports gear.

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For not $20, not $15, for less than $8 per week, we offer full ankle insurance. No concerns about sitting on the sideline after paying $3000 for that airfare!

Over 120 Aussie players are heading to Worlds - the odds are good that a few of you will roll those unstable ankles in a pothole in the next few weeks. I saw a Mundi go down just last week!

Just pay now and you can be sure those ankles are good to go on the fields of Vancouver.

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(Ankle insurance available from your nearest pharmacist, chemist or Yorston. Just ask for "tape".)

Medicine disc

Many professional footballers, tennis players, baseballers incorporate a medicine ball into their plyometric strength training.

Free weights such medicine balls are more popular due to the bigger emphasis on compound exercises, core strength and training with movements that mirror the movements of thesport.

Hucking, pulling and catching are three of the actions which benefit greatly from upper body core strength. I want to train with something more specific than a medicine ball - I want a medicine disc.

Basically a disc that is about 3-5 times heavier than a 175g ultrastar. But can still be held comfortably in a backhand grip.

You can practise your pulling, pivoting and catching with it. Come game time, a 175g disc will be a piece of cake.

Portable whiteboard fun

At World Clubs, all the captains received a free whiteboard/clipboard.

I found it really useful at the Melbourne Hat this weekend.

• I could write our teamname on it (being in Spanish, we really needed to write it down - especially me, Mr visual learner).
  
• We played Hangman on it.
  
• We played Mr Squiggle on it.
  
• We kept the score on it when one of our games didn't have a scoreboard.

And of course, I could use it for the obvious use - drawing up a set play for the team to learn/discuss.

Would you use this?

Here is a blueprint of something I might make. Or someone else could make, but then I wouldn't get the profits, assuming there were any :)

An assemble-your-own-field kit. Includes 8 cones, 1 set of instructions, and an all orginal sideline measurer. The sideline measurer consists of a peg with cord attached, and the cord has handy, easy-to-see markers at 18m, 20m, 37m and 64m for all the key dimensions of a field. Just follow the instructions to use the sideline measurer and you can set up a field accurate to within 30cm with the least walking/running necessary.

No more adjusting cones 4 times each. No more short endzones. No more forgetting the field dimensions. The TD can trust anyone to set up a field with this kit.

Great for tournies and training weekends.

Asking price, only $30, or choose the budget version, with no cones, for $8.

Would you use this?