Shoelace Magic

Coach Dan Strom's stylish turf shoes

Photo: Mike Racine

Note the careful attention to detail. The symmetry of the knot. The wrap over the flap. The safety knots at the end of the lace. This is shoelace wizardry.

Photo: Mike Racine

Shoelaces are something every player has in common.  Having them come untied, or be uncomfortable, or affect the delivery of the ball off your foot can be a problem... 

Thankfully, we have the internet.  Where else would you find someone like Ian Fieggen who has pondered this topic in depth?  Who knew there were so many lacing patterns and finishing knots to accomplish everything from fashion to function?  Check out Ian Fieggen's Shoelace Site.

Some shoelace musings....

Alot of us tie the Double Shoelace Knot. It's crude, but effective. Works great for keeping laces tied and using up excess shoelace. Unfortunately, it's also bulky - not recommended for soccer as Emily Cole notes below.

After carefully reviewing Ian's research, I'm recommending Ian's Secure Knot for premium soccer functionality.  It's a secure, symmetrical knot that is reasonably low profile.

More shoelace thoughts from our coaches...

Chance Fry says  "Actually untie your laces when taking off your shoes.  You won’t break down the heel when trying to slip them on and off."

Stuart Lee indicates that when he was a young guy starting out as a pro player, they taught him to tie the knot to the outside of the shoe so that it didn't affect the ball strike.

Emily Cole is a believer in the edge shoelace tying gives you.  She indicates "I believe it! I have tied my shoes a particular way for years and swear by it.

1. Start tying shoelaces as normal except go through/around twice instead of once for the first loop

2. Make your loop and then go around the loop twice instead of once

Voila! This knot is magic because it has the same friction as a double knot so does not come untied but lays flat on your shoe so the ball does not hit it and bounce off funny." 

I call her description the Emily Cole variant of the Surgeon Knot.

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