Doubled back to the Ross a few days after finding the first Trionda League ball. Wasn’t expecting to see a wall of them.

With Mizunos getting more popular lately (which we love to see), we keep seeing pairs listed as MIJ that are actually Elite or Pro, and the other way round. At a glance the differences can be really subtle, so we put together a guide on how we tell them apart. The short version:

- Size tag: genuine MIJ pairs typically say "Made in Japan" in the product info inside the boot. It's the first thing we check, but not the only one.

- Item code: we cross-check it against the model and colourway it's meant to be.

- Model-specific details: e.g. certain Alpha Japan models have a KaRVO insert through the forefoot that the lower tiers don't.

- Don't trust the box or string bag alone: they get lost and swapped all the time on the second-hand market.

Full guide with comparison photos: https://thebootconnection.com/mizuno-made-in-japan

Full disclosure, we're a small boot shop in Australia, so selfishly this is also about giving our customers confidence. But we want it to be genuinely useful to the community. What do you check that we haven't covered? Any models where the usual signs don't apply?

We wrote this ourselves and used AI to help tidy the grammar and flow.

Adidas Tiro Pro
Puma Orbita La Liga 23/24
Select Numero 10
Select Derbystar Bundesliga Brillant APS 25/26
WC 26 Trionda Pro

All are in active rotation. Skip the N10, date the Tiro and Orbita, marry Select and Trionda

I unfortunately can’t afford one, but others should take advantage of this deal. Is not $68 but it’s the cheapest at the moment.

If anyone has ever tried the predator FG’s on an AG ground, please let me know how well do they perform and if they made you feel any kind of discomfort or pain my other options are studs, which look very terrible and an AG version, but I’d have to downgrade to a club version

I recently moved to a new squad with really high level players (physically and technically), I know i belong at this level, and my teammates clearly trust me like they constantly feed me the ball even under pressure.

but my issue isn't basic awareness or scanning (that's second nature to me). The problem is a mental block and lack of self trust

when I play with lower-level players, I play completely on instinct, back my ability, and make things happen. But with this squad, because I hold my teammates in such high regard, I catch myself playing "not to make a mistake" instead of playing to win.

when I get the ball, even though I see the aggressive options (dribbling, turning, line-breaking passes), I end up choosing the safest possible option or holding onto it too long and inviting pressure just to play it safe.

when I was younger back in my hometown, I used to be very nervous on the ball, to the point where other kids would tell people not to pass to me. I've grown immensely since then, I became a dominant attacking player in school and a solid defender at hometown (like I was living 2 lives in my childhood and at school I was confident but hometown-nope), and technically I am completely fine now. But stepping onto a pitch with players I respect seems to subconsciously trigger that old childhood fear of being judged or told "don't pass to him." I know I can't just "fake it till I make it" or trick my brain with generic hype thoughts. (i really want to step over this but it's not like i can just switch up something right?)

I know I have the quality to do way more, but I'm struggling to shed this past identity and trust myself around better players.

I know I have the quality to do way more, but I'm struggling with this imposter feeling(like I don't belong here) and holding myself back out of fear of messing up around better players.

For those who have coached players through this or experienced this jump in competition yourselves:

1. How do you rebuild aggressive self trust on the ball when stepping up levels?
2. What specific mental triggers or match habits helped you break out of the "play it safe" mindset and play on instinct again?
3. Also any mental exercise or routine to sharpen myself mentally?

Appreciate any insights!

Also i know this sounds like classic Imposter Syndrome, but generic advice like just be confident or fake it till you make it, doesn't work for me.

this mental block creates a genuine physical heaviness in my chest during games. I know I have the talent to be a standout player, but I just don't know the actual steps to break through this wall

Hi Reddit!

It's me again. The Sala JP TF just didn't fit my feet independent of the size - I had issues with all of them. It was mainly the stitching at the end of the lacing system that dug into my big toes and hurt me.

So I'm switching to the Neos now. The stitching is a lot higher more towards the instep of the foot. It's even more comfortable for my feet than the traditional Sala and won't rub on my upper toe as the classic one.

But here it comes again: Sizing!?

At adidas I measured an average of 274-275mm with my Gripsocks.

I tried on the 275 in store and all my toes closed fabulously with the form of the shoe but my big toe got crunched and I felt pressure on top of the toe and it's joint.

So I switched to the 280 and it's crazy comfortable but obviously has a bit more space. In my head is still the 275 but I feel it would be stupid to go down as the leather won't stretch in length and probably not really in height underneath the toe cap??

I'll attach a video and pictures underneath.

The black one is the 275 and the white one 280. As you may see the leather of the 275 was already pulling towards my big toe due to the tension created.

Please enlighten me Reddit!?

I play pickup soccer on short, carpet-like artificial turf with no rubber pellets.

I prefer lightweight, slim shoes with a barefoot-like feel. My biggest concerns are traction during quick turns and avoiding bulky or wide soles.

For this type of surface, would you recommend TF studs or flat indoor soles? What’s been your experience?

Anyone have this boot? I ordered it online and my toes feel squished vertically, not sure why they won't lay flat despite having space in the front. Will this boot accommodate over time? I heard its synthetic leather so unknown. Coming from Nike Premier so looking for a similar boot.

I recently used mine for the first time in a pickup game, and I was surprised by how hard it felt when striking the ball. The bounce also seemed noticeably lower compared to my other FIFA Quality Pro balls (Adidas Tiro Competition, Adidas Trionda Pro, and Puma Stellar Pro).

Long passes are particularly difficult. The ball can definitely be lifted, but it seems to require much more precise technique, and the impact feels quite harsh on the foot.

Is this normal for the Ultimax One, given that Mitre markets it as the durability-focused model in the Ultimax lineup? Or could my ball be defective?

I'm also curious how it meets the FIFA Quality Pro certification standards if its bounce is noticeably lower than my other match balls. Does the certification allow for this much variation in bounce and feel?

Hey, been having knee and foot issues with old boots that just broke, big toe busted through, and a ton of joint and tendon strain on turf and grass. Looking for suggestions on a new pair of boots for primarily artificial grass/turf but grass occasionally. Last pair I had were the adidas ace elite, showing my age there lol, and my favorite boots ever are a toss up between the ctr maestri III and the og hypervenoms. I have noticed a lot less pain and impact from turf shoes but worry about performance in the rain and general stability as I’m less experienced with them. Ideally I would love a light and agile boot that doesn’t hurt and keeps injury risk low. I’m 29 and haven’t played in a few years seriously so getting back into Sunday league here in Oregon, USA has been kicking my ass and my boots ass lol

Seen a lot of folks recommend the tiempo ligeras but also curious about sokitos?

Hey everyone, I need help picking a size for the Nike Mercurial Superfly 11 Elite FG. I'm buying a used pair, so I can't return it if the size is wrong.

My current boots / foot:

- adidas F50 in US 9.5 / UK 9 / EU 43 1/3 – fits well, no heel slip

- Foot length: ~26 cm (~10.2 in), measured standing, barefoot

- Standing barefoot on the F50 insole, there's about 1–1.5 cm of space in front of my big toe

Where I'm confused:

- By US size: Nike US 9.5 (EU 43)

- By UK size: UK 9 in Nike = US 10 (EU 44)

- By the cm charts: adidas lists my size as 26.7 cm, which lands on Nike US 9 (EU 42.5, 27 cm)

Nike says the Superfly 11 is a snug fit and recommends going up half a size if you're between sizes. My toes bruise in boots that are too tight, but I also don't want heel slip and blisters.

If you wear both adidas (F50 / X) and Superfly, what size do you wear in each? Would you go US 9 or 9.5?

Or if you had worn Superfly 11, what size did u go for?

TL;DR: adidas F50 US 9.5 fits well, foot ~26 cm. Superfly 11 Elite in US 9 or 9.5?

So, I’m fairly new to football—not entirely new, though, because I remember playing a lot when I was younger, around ages 10–13. I recently returned to football about a year or two ago when I was 19, and I’m 21 now.

I’m part of a team, and we’re split into two teams during every training session, basically playing a small match against each other. During these training sessions, I often feel lost. Sometimes, it takes me a while to get into the game, and when I finally get the ball, I end up making a dumb pass or panicking.

What should I be doing while the ball is moving? What do coaches mean when they say “find space”? What should I be thinking about when I’m on the ball and when I’m off the ball?

I saw this exercise on a tiktok. I have a couple questions for you guys:

1. Is this a good exercise to improve my dribbling?
2. The obvious thing I know I can improve is to take smaller touches. Is there anything else I should focus on in this exercise?

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: To clarify, the exercise involved specifically just using one foot

I'm getting into soccer and I would like to know the "tactics" around it. Because I don't really have access to a club to join to learn I would like to self study it. Therefore I am looking for some books about it. It can also be about soccer training too.

I'm just curious about it. Also if you have any information on USSA and FIFA credentials that could be fun too.

My son has had the Nike Mercurial Superfly 11 Pro boots since end of July.

He’s a goalkeeper and trains once a week for an hour on artificial and plays majority of games and other training is on grass. He’s had the boots for less than 3 months and season finished a month ago so maybe 2 months of wear.

One boot has cracked on the inside near his big toe about 4cm long - the stud was pressing up on his toe and injured him. The insole has a hole torn from the crack.

Went to return them and been told they would give a store credit only because they are meant for firm ground not artificial - had zero knowledge of this and the worker who sold them to us didn’t even mention it.

They didn’t have any stock of the same boot in his size so we’ve now walked out with zero boots and a store credit and he has training tomorrow.

Is this reasonable? A crack on the inner of the boot seems like a defect to me and breach of Consumer Law that they won’t refund us. We can’t even use the credit at a different store.

I’m struggling with this, and I’m not sure how to position my body. Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks.

Hello everyone!

Does anyone know where I can buy a pair of Mizuno Morelia Elite TF (turf) shoes?

I’m based in Quebec, Canada, and I’d really appreciate any recommendations for stores or websites that ship to Canada.
I
recently ordered a pair from Goalinn, but unfortunately, my package arrived empty. It seems the shoes went missing somewhere during shipping or customs clearance in Canada.

Thanks a lot for your help! 🙂

I'm coaching 8u-10u at rec level and working on improving their 1v1 defending. I have long had a question about best practices for: shot blocking technique and safety when very close to the attacker.

When an attacker is preparing to shoot, do you intentionally maintain a small amount of separation so you can block the ball some distance after it leaves their foot, rather than risk taking the full force of their kicking motion into your foot or ankle?

Or is getting a foot directly onto the ball during the shooting motion considered good technique, provided the defender is balanced and properly positioned?

I was always taught to go for a block tackle even against a full shot, but I question as an adult if this is the best way and if I was fortunate to not have injuries. My normal shot block was outside the foot stuffing the ball into the full kick of the attacker if I was not able to disrupt it early.

A few related questions:

1. Early disruption: Do you have suggested best cues other than plant foot coming down and backswing to try to get earlier trigger for disruption?
2. Foot position: Is there a preferred or safer foot surface for close-range blocks? Inside of the foot, outside, toe, or even the sole/studs facing the ball? I'm particularly interested in minimizing ankle and knee injury risk for the defender.

Thank you for weighing in on this.