How to Tie Cleats

The two most important things when wearing cleats are safety and comfort. Cleats are worn while playing different sports, such as football, soccer, baseball, and softball - all of which require a child to run. Cleats should be laced to provide the most comfort and support for your child as he/she runs and tied so that laces do not drag the ground which results in a safety hazard for your child.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Cleats
• Shoe laces

How to Tie Cleats

1. Lacing cleats for a child with a narrow heel or foot: Follow a normal lacing pattern by threading the laces evenly through the bottom (toe end) eyelets and criss-crossing until you reach the top eyelet, leaving the top eyelet empty. Starting at the toe end, tighten from the outer eyelets by pulling the outer part of the shoe toward the center. When you have reached the top eyelet, tighten and thread through the eyelets from the outside, but do not criss-cross. Do not pull the lace all the way through so that there is a loop on the outside of the eyelet. Now cross the laces and thread each lace through a loop. Tighten and tie.
2. Lacing cleats for a child with a wide foot: Thread laces evenly through the bottom (toe end) eyelets. For the first two or three eyelets (until you pass the forefoot), lace straight up each side. This will allow you to tighten the lace without squeezing the wide part of the foot. Now, begin criss-crossing and lace as normal until you reach the top eyelet. Tighten and tie.
3. Lacing cleats for a child with low arches:Follow a normal lacing pattern by threading the laces evenly through the bottom (toe end) eyelets and criss-crossing until about half-way up the shoe. Without crossing the lace, thread the lace from the outside of each eyelet, leaving a loop on each side. Criss-cross the laces and thread a lace through the loop on each side. Continue this pattern to the top. Tighten and tie.
4. Lacing cleats for a child with high arches: Thread the lace evenly through the bottom (toe end) eyelets. Criss-cross and thread the laces through the next set of eyelets. Without criss-crossing, thread the lace straight up each side of the shoe until the next-to-last set of eyelets. Criss-cross the laces and thread through the top eyelet. Tighten and tie.
5. How to tie the laces for safety: Make a starter knot by crossing the laces and threading one lace through the hole between the laces and the shoe - pull both laces to tighten. Double the right lace over itself to make a loop. Take the left lace and pass it around the to the right, going to the back of the loop and continuing until you are back at the front (complete circle). Feed the left lace into the circle you have just made, making a loop with the left lace. Hold both loops and pull tight. To make a double, secure knot, cross the left loop over the front of the right loop. Wrap the right loop around the back of the left loop and feed the end through the circle you have created. Hold both loops and tighten.

Tips & Warnings

• Shoes should be tight enough for safety, but not too tight for comfort.
• Comfortable sports shoes help you avoid foot problems later.
• Shoe laces should not be long enough to drag on the ground!
• A double knot will keep the lace secure and prevent tripping over untied laces.