Always AVID Soccer's most important category, the innovative product award represents the best that soccer has to offer this year.  2008 brought real advancement.

This year's innovations span the breadth of the game.  Lotto gave us the Twist'n'go system; Puma changed the cover of the ball; and Soccer Innovations brought a versatile training system.

Lotto's Twist'n'go uses a pivoting cleat.  This allows the player to plant his/her foot and swivel without losing grip.  This enables a player to cut harder and faster.  It also keeps the foot stable for volleys.  Most importantly, it improves safety by allowing the foot to rotate reducing stress on the players ankle.

Puma's d3o adaptive material is used in their 1.08 premier match ball.  The molecules flow freely when not under stress.  This allows the ball cover to be soft and supple under most conditions.  Under stress, the molecules lock together making for much stiffer surface.  This allows more power behind strikes.

Soccer Innovations, also known as the Soccer Wall company, created an adaptive/extensible training system.  The T-Man combines poles, nets and body frames to create a variety of training tools.  Combining the poles and frames produces mannequins for set plays and free kicks.  Combine the half poles and netting for practice goals or soccer tennis.  Use the poles alone for goals, corner flags, or drills.

We received feedback on each of the offerings and applaud the efforts of anything that advances our sport.  Improvements in materials can be adapted to additional applications and we look forward to seeing what Puma will do with d3o in boots, shin guards, goalkeeper gloves, etc.  Lotto's Twist'n'go increases safety and stability allowing a player to take advantage of their abilities.  Finally, Soccer Innovations T-Man offers a coach/trainer a versatile system enabling entire new directions in in training sessions.

Our winner:

AVID Soccer Equipment Review 2008 Innovative Product of the Year The Soccer Wall T-Man system