As someone who's spent years coaching both lacrosse and soccer teams, I've seen countless athletes make the wrong choice when it comes to footwear. Let me tell you, nothing makes me cringe more than watching a lacrosse player sprint across the field in soccer cleats or vice versa. I remember last season when I was analyzing Creamline's PVL Grand Slam performance, their import player Erica Staunton demonstrated exactly why specialized footwear matters. Her explosive movements and sudden directional changes in lacrosse cleats were textbook examples of how the right equipment can elevate an athlete's game.

The fundamental difference lies in the stud configuration, and this isn't just some minor detail - it's everything. Lacrosse cleats typically feature 7-9 strategically placed studs with a distinctive toe cleat that provides that crucial extra grip for explosive starts and quick changes of direction. Soccer cleats, by contrast, usually have 12-15 smaller, more numerous studs distributed evenly across the sole. Why does this matter? Well, think about Erica Staunton's playing style - those sharp 45-degree cuts and rapid accelerations she executed during Creamline's championship run would have been nearly impossible in soccer cleats. The toe cleat in lacrosse footwear gives you that digging power similar to football cleats, allowing for more aggressive movements that soccer cleats simply can't support.

Material composition is another area where these cleats diverge significantly. Having worn both types throughout my athletic career, I can confidently say lacrosse cleats are built like tanks - they use heavier materials like synthetic leather and reinforced plastics around the ankle area. This isn't by accident; it's necessary protection for the physical nature of lacrosse where you're dealing with constant contact and stick checks. Soccer cleats, on the other hand, prioritize lightweight flexibility above all else. The average soccer cleat weighs about 7-9 ounces compared to 10-12 ounces for lacrosse cleats. That weight difference might not sound like much, but over 90 minutes of continuous play, it absolutely matters.

When we look at position-specific needs, the differences become even more pronounced. Attackers in lacrosse like Staunton need that superior traction for dodging and shooting, while midfielders require stability for those long sprints. In soccer, forwards need lightweight cleats for quick releases, and defenders benefit from additional ankle support. I've personally found that lacrosse cleats provide better lateral support - something that's crucial when you're making those sharp cuts to evade defenders. The ankle collar in lacrosse cleats is typically 1.5 inches higher than in soccer cleats, providing that extra stability without sacrificing mobility.

What really convinces me about the importance of proper footwear is watching how professional athletes perform. During Creamline's grand slam conquest, Staunton's ability to maintain footing during those critical moments highlighted why you can't compromise on equipment. The stud pressure distribution in lacrosse cleats is engineered for the sport's specific movements - they're designed to handle the force generated during quick stops and starts, which can reach up to 3-4 times body weight. Soccer cleats just aren't built to withstand that kind of punishment regularly.

At the end of the day, choosing between lacrosse and soccer cleats comes down to understanding the biomechanical demands of each sport. While you might get away with using soccer cleats for casual lacrosse play, competitive athletes need the specialized support and traction that only sport-specific footwear can provide. Having coached both sports for over a decade, I'd never recommend cross-using cleats for serious competition. The performance difference isn't marginal - it's substantial, and as we saw with athletes like Erica Staunton, having the right equipment can be the difference between a good play and a championship-winning moment.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.