Patent Description:
Sole structures generally include a layered arrangement extending between a ground surface and the upper. One layer of the sole structure includes an outsole that provides abrasion-resistance and traction with the ground surface. The outsole may be formed from rubber or other materials that impart durability and wear-resistance, as well as enhance traction with the ground surface. The outsole may include one or more traction elements or cleats for engaging a ground surface. Another layer of the sole structure includes a midsole disposed between the outsole and the upper. The midsole provides cushioning for the foot and may be partially formed from a polymer foam material that compresses resiliently under an applied load to cushion the foot by attenuating ground-reaction forces.

The upper is attached to the sole structure and is generally designed based on the intended use of the article of footwear. For example, uppers intended for use during running are typically formed from lightweight, flexible, and breathable materials while uppers intended for use during contact sports such as soccer or football are formed from a more rigid material that provides a degree of protection to the athlete. Such uppers may also include sport-specific features that aid an athlete in making particular movements (i.e., cutting movements versus forward movements) and/or making contact with a ball or other object.

<CIT> describes a soccer boot for an enhanced ball control having a stippled material secured to at least a portion of the outer surface of the upper of the boot or shoe, with the stippled surface of the material facing inwardly thereof. Preferably, the stippled surface of the material is bonded to a flexible substrate, such as a foamed plastics material. The outwardly facing surface of the stippled material can be substantially smooth or be provided with outwardly facing stipples.

<CIT> describes a sport shoe having ball-contacting pads mounted thereon for increasing kicking performance without appreciably decreasing ball feel is disclosed. The pads include a top layer separated from a bottom layer by interconnecting elastic elements or webs. The top and bottom layers are substantially planar and elongate. The pad is arranged on the shoe so that when, for example, a soccer player kicks a ball, reaction forces from the impact will displace the top layer longitudinally, substantially parallel to the bottom layer, thus stretching the elastic interconnecting elements, storing potential energy.

Document D3 ("<CIT>") describes a soccer comprising a sole and a shoe upper, and including thereon a plurality of protrusions formed on an inner side area of a toe portion and an outer side area of the toe portion, each protrusion embedding therein an elastic wedge-shaped object, to thereby increase a spinning power of a soccer ball.

The claimed invention is defined by the independent claims. Additional embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

The article of footwear includes an upper and a ball control region formed on an exterior surface of the upper. The ball control region includes at least one ball control pad having a ball control panel attached to and spaced apart from the upper by flexible elements.

Implementations may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the at least one ball control pad includes a first ball control pad attached to a first portion of the upper and a second ball control pad attached to a second portion of the upper independently from the first ball control pad. Each of the flexible elements may be a resilient element having a first end attached to the upper and a second end attached to the ball control panel. The ball control panel may include a first layer formed of a first material and a second layer formed of a second material. Here, the first layer may be attached to the flexible elements and the first material may have a hardness greater than the second material. Optionally, the second layer may form an exterior surface of the ball control panel and the second material may have a coefficient of friction greater than the first material.

In some configurations, the at least one ball control pad includes a first series of ball control pads extending from a toe region to a heel region and a second series of ball control pads extending from a mid-foot region to the heel region. Here, the first series of ball control pads may be disposed above the second series of ball control pads. On some examples, a stiffness of the at least one ball control pad varies from a first portion of the ball control pad to a second portion of the ball control pad. A concentration of the flexible elements of the at least one ball control pad varies from a first portion of the ball control pad to second portion of the ball control pad. A thickness of the at least one ball control pad may vary from a first portion of the ball control pad to a second portion of the ball control pad. The at least one ball control pad may include a first ball control pad having a first stiffness and a second ball control pad having a second stiffness that is different from the first stiffness.

The article of footwear includes an upper and a ball control region formed on an exterior surface of the upper. The ball control region includes a plurality of ball control pads each having a ball control panel spaced apart from and resiliently attached to the exterior surface of the upper.

Each of the ball control pads is attached to the exterior surface of the upper by a plurality of flexible elements. Here, a first one of the ball control pads includes a first panel attached to the upper by a first plurality of flexible elements and a second one of the ball control pads includes a second panel attached to the upper by a second plurality of flexible elements, the first plurality of flexible elements having a different concentration of flexible elements than the second plurality of flexible elements. Optionally, each of the plurality of the flexible elements may be a resilient element having a first end attached to the upper and a second end attached to the ball control panel.

In some implementations, the ball control panel includes a first layer formed of a first material and a second layer formed of a second material. The first layer may be attached to the upper and the first material may have a hardness greater than the second material. The second layer may form an exterior surface of the ball control panel and the second material may have a coefficient of friction greater than the first material.

In some configurations, the plurality of ball control pads includes a first series of ball control pads extending from a toe region to a heel region and a second series of ball control pads extending from a mid-foot region to the heel region. Here, the first series of ball control pads may be disposed above the second series of ball control pads. In some examples, a first stiffness of a first one of the ball control pads is different from a second stiffness of a second one of the ball control pads. A first thickness of a first one of the ball control pads may be different from a second thickness of a second one of the ball control pads. At least one of the plurality of ball control pads may taper from a first thickness to a second thickness.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an article of footwear <NUM> includes an upper <NUM> having a ball control region <NUM>, and a sole structure <NUM> attached to a bottom surface of the upper <NUM>. The article of footwear <NUM> may be longitudinally divided into one or more regions. The regions may include a forefoot region <NUM>, a mid-foot region <NUM>, and a heel region <NUM>. The forefoot region <NUM> may be subdivided into a toe portion <NUM>T corresponding with phalanges, and a ball portion <NUM>B associated with metatarsal bones of a foot. The mid-foot region <NUM> may correspond with an arch area of the foot, and the heel region <NUM> may correspond with rear portions of the foot, including a calcaneus bone.

As best shown in <FIG>, the article of footwear <NUM> also includes vertical regions including a dorsal region <NUM> associated with the upper portion of the foot and a plantar region <NUM> associated with the bottom of the foot. A central peripheral region <NUM> is disposed between the dorsal region <NUM> and the plantar region <NUM>, and extends around a perimeter of the upper <NUM>.

The footwear <NUM> may further include an anterior end <NUM> associated with a forward-most point of the forefoot region <NUM>, and a posterior end <NUM> corresponding to a rearward-most point of the heel region <NUM>. A longitudinal axis A<NUM> of the footwear <NUM> extends along a length of the footwear <NUM> from the anterior end <NUM> to the posterior end <NUM>, parallel to a ground surface. The longitudinal axis A<NUM> is centrally located along the length of the footwear <NUM>, and generally divides the footwear <NUM> into a lateral side <NUM> and a medial side <NUM>. Accordingly, the lateral side <NUM> and the medial side <NUM> respectively correspond with opposite sides of the footwear <NUM> and extend through the regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. As used herein, a longitudinal direction refers to the direction extending from the anterior end <NUM> to the posterior end <NUM>, while a lateral direction refers to the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and extending from the lateral side <NUM> to the medial side <NUM>.

The upper <NUM> includes interior surfaces that define an interior void <NUM> configured to receive and secure a foot for support on the sole structure <NUM>. An ankle opening in the heel region <NUM> may provide access to the interior void <NUM>. For example, the ankle opening may receive a foot to secure the foot within the void <NUM> and to facilitate entry and removal of the foot from and to the interior void <NUM>. The upper <NUM> may be formed from one or more materials that are stitched or adhesively bonded together to form the interior void <NUM>. Suitable materials of the upper may include, but are not limited to, mesh, textiles, foam, leather, and synthetic leather. The materials may be selected and located to impart properties of durability, air-permeability, wear-resistance, flexibility, and comfort.

In some examples, the upper <NUM> includes a strobel (not shown) having a bottom surface opposing the sole structure <NUM> and an opposing top surface defining a footbed of the interior void <NUM>. The strobel may be attached to the upper <NUM> using stitching or adhesives. As shown, the upper <NUM> is formed as a unitary boot or sock, wherein the strobel and the upper <NUM> are unitarily formed of a knitted material. The footbed defined by the top surface may be contoured to conform to a profile of the bottom surface (e.g., plantar) of the foot. Optionally, the upper <NUM> may also incorporate additional layers such as one or more support plates, and an insole or sockliner that may be disposed upon the strobel and reside within the interior void <NUM> of the upper <NUM> to receive a plantar surface of the foot to enhance the comfort of the article of footwear <NUM>.

In some examples, one or more fasteners extend along the upper <NUM> to adjust a fit of the interior void <NUM> around the foot and to accommodate entry and removal of the foot therefrom. The upper <NUM> may include apertures, such as eyelets and/or other engagement features such as fabric or mesh loops that receive the fasteners. The fasteners may include laces, straps, cords, hook-and-loop, or any other suitable type of fastener. The upper <NUM> may include a tongue portion that extends between the interior void <NUM> and the fasteners.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the upper <NUM> includes a ball control region <NUM> formed on the medial side <NUM> of the upper <NUM> and extending from the forefoot region <NUM> to the heel region <NUM>, and from the dorsal region <NUM> to the plantar region <NUM>. Optionally, the ball control region <NUM> may be formed in any one or more of the regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, the ball control region <NUM> may be formed only in the forefoot region <NUM>, or may be fragmentarily formed to include a first portion in the forefoot region <NUM> and a separate second portion in mid-foot region and/or the heel region <NUM>. Likewise, the ball control region <NUM> may be isolated to the dorsal region <NUM> or the plantar region <NUM>.

The illustrated example of the ball control region <NUM> includes a base panel <NUM> extending along an entire length of the ball control region <NUM>, and one or more ball control pads 204a-<NUM> disposed on the base panel <NUM>. Generally, each of the ball control pads 204a-<NUM> is formed as a resilient member having an exterior surface that is compressible and translatable relative to the upper <NUM>. Thus, while the base panel <NUM> may be fixed relative to the upper <NUM>, the exterior surfaces of the ball control pads 204a-<NUM> can move relative to and independently of the upper <NUM>. As shown, the one or more ball control pads 204a-<NUM> includes a plurality of ball control pads 204a-<NUM> spaced apart from each other along the ball control region <NUM>. Particularly, each of the ball control pads 204a-<NUM> is independently attached to the base panel <NUM> such that the exterior surfaces of the ball control pads 204a-<NUM> can move independently from each other.

In the illustrated configuration, the ball control pads 204a-<NUM> may be described as including a first ball control pad 204a disposed on the medial side <NUM> of the upper <NUM> in the forefoot region <NUM>. Particularly, the first ball control pad 204a is disposed in a portion of the forefoot region <NUM> associated with a metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint of the foot and extends vertically from the dorsal region <NUM> to the plantar region <NUM>.

Beyond the first ball control pad 204a, the ball control region <NUM> includes an upper, first series of ball control pads 204b-204d extending along the dorsal region <NUM> from the forefoot region <NUM> to the heel region <NUM>. The ball control region <NUM> further includes a lower, second series of ball control pads 204e-<NUM> extending along the plantar region <NUM> from the forefoot region <NUM> to the heel region <NUM>. As best shown in <FIG>, the upper series of ball control pads 204b-204d is vertically spaced apart from the lower series of ball control pads 204e-<NUM> along the central region <NUM> such that the base panel <NUM> is exposed between adjacent pads 204a-<NUM>.

Each of the upper series of ball control pads 204b-204d and the lower series of ball control pads 204e-<NUM> includes a plurality of the ball control pads 204b-<NUM> arranged along a substantially continuous path, and includes a forefoot ball control pad 204b, 204e, a mid-foot ball control pad 204c, 204f, and a heel ball control pad 204d, <NUM>. As shown, the upper series of ball control pads 204b-204d extends along a first arcuate path P<NUM> and the lower series of ball control pads 204e-<NUM> extends along a second arcuate path P<NUM> that is substantially parallel to the first path P<NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the upper series of ball control pads 204b-204d extends along the first path P<NUM> from the forefoot region <NUM> to the heel region <NUM>. The upper forefoot ball control pad 204b and the upper heel ball control pad 204d are substantially straight. Accordingly, the upper forefoot ball control pad 204b defines an upper forefoot axis A204b extending in a first longitudinal direction and the upper heel ball control pad 204d defines an upper heel axis A204d extending in a second longitudinal direction transverse to the first longitudinal direction. The upper mid-foot ball control pad 204c may itself be angled or arcuate to provide a transition between the upper forefoot ball control pad 204b and the upper heel ball control pad 204d. Here, a first end portion of the upper mid-foot ball control pad 204c that is adjacent to the upper forefoot ball control pad 204b extends along the upper forefoot axis A204b, while a second end portion of the upper mid-foot ball control pad 204c that is adjacent to upper heel ball control pad 204d extends along the upper heel axis A204d. The first end portion and the second end portion may be connected by an angled or arcuate intermediate portion of the upper mid-foot ball control pad 204c, which defines an angle or curvature C<NUM>, of the first path P<NUM>. Thus, the first path P<NUM> may be collectively defined by the upper forefoot axis A204b, the curvature C204c, and the upper heel axis A204d.

The lower series of ball control pads 204e-<NUM> extends along the second path P<NUM> from the forefoot region <NUM> to the heel region <NUM>. The lower forefoot ball control pad 204e and the lower heel ball control pad <NUM> are substantially straight. Accordingly, the lower forefoot ball control pad 204e defines a lower forefoot axis A204e extending in the first longitudinal direction and the lower heel ball control pad <NUM> defines a lower heel axis A<NUM> extending in the second longitudinal direction transverse to the first longitudinal direction. The lower mid-foot ball control pad 204f may itself be angled or arcuate to provide a transition between the lower forefoot ball control pad 204e and the lower heel ball control pad <NUM>. Here, a first end portion of the lower mid-foot ball control pad 204f that is adjacent to the lower forefoot ball control pad 204e extends along the lower forefoot axis A204e, while a second end portion of the lower mid-foot ball control pad 204f that is adjacent to lower heel ball control pad <NUM> extends along the lower heel axis A<NUM>. The first end portion and the second end portion may be connected by an angled or arcuate intermediate portion of the lower mid-foot ball control pad 204f, which defines an angle or curvature C204f of the first path P<NUM>. Thus, the second path P<NUM> may be collectively defined by the lower forefoot axis A204e, the curvature C204f, and the lower heel axis A<NUM>.

Each of the ball control pads 204a-<NUM> includes a ball control panel 206a-<NUM> attached to and spaced apart from the base panel <NUM> by one or more flexible elements or posts <NUM>. The ball control panels 206a-<NUM> each include an interior surface 210a-<NUM> spaced apart from and facing the base panel <NUM>, an exterior surface 212a-<NUM> formed on an opposite side from the interior surface 210a-<NUM>, and a peripheral surface 214a-<NUM> extending from the interior surface 210a-<NUM> to the exterior surface 212a-<NUM>. Here, the exterior surface 212a-<NUM> of each ball control panel 206a-<NUM> defines the exterior surface of the respective ball control pad 204a-<NUM>. Likewise, the peripheral surface 214a-<NUM> of each ball control panel 206a-<NUM> defines an outer peripheral profile of the respective ball control pad 204a-<NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, examples of configurations of the ball control pads 204a-<NUM> are illustrated. The configurations of the ball control pads <NUM> shown in <FIG> are labeled with generic reference numerals not including letter suffixes, and can be incorporated into any one or more of the ball control pads 204a-<NUM>. For example, all of the ball control panels 204a-<NUM> may be configured according to either one of the examples of <FIG>. Alternatively, one or more of the ball control pads 204a-<NUM> may be configured according to the example of <FIG>, while one or more of the other ball control pads 204a-<NUM> may be configured according to the example of <FIG>.

With continued reference to <FIG>, each of the flexible elements <NUM> includes a resilient element attached to the upper <NUM> via the base panel <NUM>. As shown, the flexible elements <NUM> are elongate elements, where a length L<NUM> of each of the flexible elements <NUM> extends from a proximal end <NUM> attached to the base panel <NUM> to a distal end <NUM> attached to the interior surface <NUM> of the ball control panel <NUM>. Accordingly, the length L<NUM> of flexible elements <NUM> defines a distance between the base panel <NUM> and the ball control panel <NUM>, and consequently, an overall thickness T<NUM> of the ball control pad <NUM>.

Each of the flexible elements <NUM> is formed of a resilient polymeric material. In the illustrated examples, the flexible elements <NUM> are shown as cylindrical bodies. However, in other examples, the flexible elements <NUM> may have polygonal or irregular cross-sectional shapes. Additionally or alternatively, the cross-sectional area of the flexible elements <NUM> may be varied to tune a stiffness of the ball control pad <NUM>.

The ball control panel <NUM> be formed as a composite ball control panel <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the ball control panel <NUM> includes an inner layer <NUM> and an outer layer <NUM>. The inner layer <NUM> includes the interior surface <NUM> of the ball control panel <NUM>, and is attached to the distal ends <NUM> of the flexible elements <NUM>. The outer layer <NUM> is disposed on an outward-facing surface of the inner layer <NUM> and includes the exterior surface <NUM> of the ball control panel <NUM>.

The inner layer <NUM> and the outer layer <NUM> of the ball control panel <NUM> may be formed of different materials, wherein a first material of the inner layer <NUM> is selected to provide first desired characteristics to the ball control panel <NUM>, and a second material of the outer layer <NUM> is selected to provide second desired characteristics to the ball control panel <NUM>. For example, the inner layer <NUM> may be formed of a first polymeric material configured to provide structural support to the ball control panel <NUM>, while the outer layer <NUM> is formed of a second polymeric material configured to provide grip to the ball control pad <NUM>. For example, the first material of the inner layer <NUM> may have a greater hardness than the second material of the outer layer <NUM>. Optionally, the second material of the outer layer <NUM> has a greater coefficient of friction than the first material of the inner layer <NUM>. In some examples, the outer layer <NUM> may be applied to the inner layer <NUM> as a coating of the second material. One example of a suitable material for the outer layer <NUM> includes a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which provides favorable characteristics related to elasticity, hardness, friction, and abrasion resistance.

In one example (<FIG>), the ball control pad <NUM> may include the ball control panel <NUM> attached to and spaced apart from the base panel <NUM> by a plurality of evenly-distributed flexible elements <NUM>. Here, the flexible elements <NUM> may be arranged in a series of evenly-spaced rows and/or columns to provide a substantially homogenous distribution of the flexible elements <NUM> between the base panel <NUM> and the ball control panel <NUM>. Accordingly, the resiliency of the ball control pad <NUM> will be substantially constant across the entire ball control panel <NUM>.

In another example (<FIG>), the ball control pad <NUM> includes the ball control panel <NUM> attached to and spaced apart from the base panel <NUM> by a plurality of variably-distributed flexible elements <NUM>. Here, the flexible elements <NUM> are arranged in regions <NUM>, <NUM> having different concentrations or densities of the flexible elements <NUM>. For example, the flexible elements <NUM> may be arranged in stiff regions <NUM> and flex regions <NUM>, where the stiff regions <NUM> have a greater concentration or density of the flexible elements <NUM> than the flex regions <NUM>. Put another way, spacing between adjacent flexible elements <NUM> is less in the stiff regions <NUM> than in the flex regions <NUM>.

Although the example of the ball control pad <NUM> in <FIG> shows each of the stiff regions <NUM> having substantially similar concentrations of flexible elements <NUM>, the embodiments according to the claimed invention the stiff regions <NUM> have different concentrations of the flexible elements <NUM> For example, a first one of the stiff regions <NUM> may have a first concentration of the flexible elements <NUM> that is greater than the concentration of flexible elements <NUM> in the flex regions <NUM>, and a second one of the stiff regions <NUM> may have a second concentration of the flexible elements <NUM> that is greater than the first concentration and is greater than the concentration of the flexible elements <NUM> in the flex regions <NUM>.

Alternatively, concentrations of the flexible elements <NUM> may be variable within a single one of the stiff regions <NUM>, whereby a first portion of the stiff region <NUM> has a first concentration and a second portion of the stiff region <NUM> has a second concentration. Here, the average concentration of the flexible elements <NUM> within the stiff region <NUM> is greater than the average concentration of the flexible elements <NUM> within the flex region <NUM>.

In some examples, the lengths L<NUM> of the flexible elements <NUM> may be variable such that the thickness T<NUM> of one or more of the ball control pads 204a-<NUM> is different from a thickness T<NUM> of one or more of the other ball control pads 204a-<NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, lengths L<NUM> of the flexible elements <NUM> may vary within a single one of the ball control pads 204a-<NUM>. Particularly, one or more of the ball control pads 204a-<NUM> may be provided with longer flexible elements <NUM> in areas where more impact attenuation is desired, and with shorter flexible elements <NUM> in areas where a stiffer ball control region <NUM> is desired. For example, in <FIG>, the thickness T<NUM> of the upper mid-foot ball control pad 204c tapers along a direction from the central peripheral region <NUM> to the dorsal region <NUM>. Similarly, the thickness T<NUM> of the lower mid-foot ball control pad 204f tapers along a direction from the central peripheral region <NUM> to the plantar region <NUM>. The other ball control panels 204a, 204b, 204d, 204e, <NUM> may be similarly tapered. Alternatively, one or more of the ball control panels 204a-<NUM> may have a constant thickness T<NUM>.

As provided above, characteristics of each of the ball control pads 204a-<NUM> may be modified to tune the responsiveness of the ball control pads 204a-<NUM>. For example, the flexible elements <NUM> may be provided in different sizes and shapes, and/or may be provided in different arrangements to increase or decrease stiffness of the ball control pads 204a-<NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, material properties and dimensions of the inner layer <NUM> and outer layer <NUM> of the ball control panels 206a-<NUM> may be selected to form harder or softer ball control panels 206a-<NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, not part of the claimed invention, an example illustrating responsiveness of a ball control pad <NUM> is illustrated, where the ball control pad <NUM> is formed with a constant concentration of the flexible elements <NUM>. Here, the ball B is received by the exterior surface <NUM> of the ball control panel <NUM> from a first direction DB at an angle α and exerts an impact force FI1 on the exterior surface <NUM>. As shown, the angle α is an oblique angle such that the impact force FI1 includes a compressive component extending perpendicular to the exterior surface <NUM> and a shear component extending parallel to the exterior surface <NUM>. The compressive component of the impact force FI1 causes the ball control pad <NUM> to depress, whereby the distance between the ball control panel <NUM> and the base panel <NUM> is decreased. Simultaneously, the shear component causes the ball control panel <NUM> to shift laterally in a direction D<NUM> relative to the base panel <NUM>. Accordingly, the ball control pad <NUM> acts to receive the ball and to attenuate the impact force Fn.

Additionally, by moving with the ball B, the ball control panel <NUM> maintains contact with the ball B for a greater duration, thereby providing the wearer with a greater amount of time to provide influence to the outgoing trajectory and rotation of the ball B.

In another example, illustrated in <FIG>, responsiveness of a ball control pad <NUM> is shown where the ball control pad <NUM> is formed with stiff regions <NUM> and flex regions <NUM>, as described above. Here, the ball B is received by the exterior surface <NUM> of the ball control panel <NUM> at an angle β and exerts a compound impact force FI2 having a compressive component and a shear component. In this example, the compressive component is greater than the shear component, whereby the relative angle β between the trajectory of the ball B and the exterior surface <NUM> is greater than in the example of <FIG>.

Unlike the example of <FIG>, where the entire ball control panel <NUM> is compressed in a substantially uniform manner, in the example of <FIG>, the ball control panel <NUM> compresses in a non-uniform manner. Particularly, the ball control panel <NUM> deflects at a greater rate in the flex regions <NUM> than in the stiff regions <NUM>. Accordingly, when the ball B impacts the ball control panel <NUM>, the ball control panel <NUM> will compress at the flex regions <NUM> to absorb a portion of the impact force FI2. Simultaneously, as the ball control panel <NUM> compresses in the flex regions <NUM>, the portions of the ball control panel <NUM> supported by the flexible elements <NUM> in the stiff regions <NUM> will remain extended relative to the flex regions <NUM>, thereby forming stiff peaks that protrude into and engage the ball B.

By configuring the ball control pad <NUM> as discussed above (i.e., modifying the flexible elements <NUM> or the ball control panel <NUM>), the responsiveness of the ball control pad <NUM> can be tuned to provide a desired combination of impact attenuation and grip. For example, the ball control pads 204a-<NUM> can each be individually configured based on a desired performance characteristic. For example, ball control pads 204a-<NUM> located in one portion of the ball control region <NUM> may have characteristics more suitable for attenuating compressive impacts (e.g. kicking), while ball control pads 204a-<NUM> located in another portion of the ball control region <NUM> may have characteristics more suitable for attenuating shear impacts (e.g., passing).

Claim 1:
An article of footwear (<NUM>) comprising:
an upper (<NUM>); and
a ball control region (<NUM>) formed on an exterior surface of the upper (<NUM>) and including at least one ball control pad (204a-<NUM>) having a ball control panel (206a-<NUM>) attached to and spaced apart from the upper (<NUM>) by flexible elements (<NUM>);
characterised in that
a concentration of the flexible elements (<NUM>) of the at least one ball control pad (204a-<NUM>) varies from a first portion (<NUM>) of the ball control pad (204a-<NUM>) to a second portion (<NUM>) of the ball control pad (204a-<NUM>). s