adidas Unleashes The Predator Lethal Zones Soccer Boot

HERZOGENAURACH / MANCHESTER, UK – 1st May 2012 — adidas today launched the Predator Lethal Zones boot (now available at World Soccer Shop); the new boot was unleashed at a unique event pitting some of the best players in the World against each other in five deadly challenges designed to test every aspect of a player’s ability.

The launch event was created to showcase the capabilities of the new Predator Lethal Zones boot which is composed of five, super-light (SL) rubber and memory foam 3-D zones, each designed to support perfect ball control.

Leading global stars, including Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko and Manchester United’s Luis Nani and Tom Cleverly, took on the challenges and tested their abilities in the latest iteration of the World’s most famous football boot — the adidas Predator. Luis Nani said from the event: “I’ve been involved in the design process for the new Predator Lethal Zones and I’m excited to see the final product and test it out acros s the 5 different zones. The boots are light, comfortable and help me with ball control whether I’m passing, shooting or dribbling.”

The five challenges at the specially converted venue in Manchester included:

Dribble Water Course
Designed around an automated slalom course to test the player’s fast paced dribbling abilities against a series of water blast sequences.

First Touch Air Cannon
Designed to test the player’s ability to control the ball at different heights and speeds, the First Touch Air Cannon Challenge will see a high-powered air cannon launch balls into the air for the players to control and then strike into two targets.

Sweet Spot Target Practice
Designed to demonstrate power and precision within a player’s passing, using the sweet spot zone to generate increased power without losing accuracy as they attempt to hit five static targets at different distances within a 30 second time window.

Drive Power Generation
Designed to test how much power players can generate using the raised and thicker 3-D shape on the forefoot, players will hit the ball as hard as they can into a specially designed pentagon that will measure and then display ball strike speed.

Pass Accuracy Showcase
Designed to test accuracy to the max, this challenge requires players to use the memory foam pad on the medial side of the boot to showcase their deadly control and accuracy.

“For the first time ever, Predator wearers have the complete weapon of control. We have been working with elite and amateur players for a number of years, and with Lethal Zones we have taken the Predator to a whole new level,” said Aubrey Dolan, product manager for Predator Lethal Zones.

World-class players such as Van Persie (Arsenal FC), Xavi (FC Barcelona), Nasri (Manchester City FC), Nani (Manchester United FC) and Di Maria (FC Real Madrid) have tested and contributed valuable input to the development of Predator Lethal Zones and will debut the boot on pitches across the globe in May 2012.

Arsenal star Robin Van Persie said about the new boot; “If you want to be a top player it’s vital that you are an all-rounder and that’s what the new Predator Lethal Zones are about. The five areas on the boot cover where players touch and strike the ball and the design works to maximise accuracy, power and control. Bas ed on my opinion, and the opinions of my fellow professional players, adidas have created the new Predator. It’s great that they listen to us carefully as we know how it should be and how it should feel and their expertise does the rest.”

The new Predator Lethal Zones football boot will be available at adidas own-retail outlets as well as specialist stores worldwide from June 2012 in Bright Blue / Infrared / Collegiate Navy / White.

Check out our Football Boots section for more on the latest soccer footwear.