Knowing what type of arch the child s foot has high, medium, or low can help in selecting the most comfortable and supportive shoe. For some children who have flat feet or who pronate excessively, special orthotic inserts may be beneficial. Lacing shoes correctly is important. It is helpful to lace through each top eyelet twice to ensure a more snug fit and decrease slippage. Children must be careful not to tie laces too tight, as this may cause injury to the nerves or tendons on the top of the foot and ankle.
Soccer shoes can contribute to heel pain in adolescents.
The limited number of cleats in the heel of the shoe can cause excessive pressure on the growth plate of the child s heel. Shoes with multiple cleats at the heel can help to alleviate this problem, but can be difficult to find. Shorter cleats on football and soccer shoes may help to reduce knee and ankle injuries. For young players, cleats should be no more than one-half inch long. For a general athletic shoe, cross trainers are a suitable choice.