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 across
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.
Based 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.
For further
information please visit www.adidas.com/football or go to www.facebook.com/adidasfootball or @adidasfootball on Twitter to join the
conversation.
