Untouchable cleat. Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3: The Ultimate Football Cleat for Performance and Style

Why is the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 a game-changer for football players. How does its innovative design enhance on-field performance. What makes this cleat stand out in the competitive world of football footwear.

The Revolutionary Design of Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3

The Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 represents a significant leap forward in football cleat technology. Its innovative design combines lightweight materials with strategic support, offering players an unparalleled blend of speed and stability on the field. But what exactly makes this cleat so special?

At the heart of the Vapor Untouchable Pro 3’s design is its unique upper construction. Nike has employed a seamless Flyknit material that wraps around the foot like a second skin, providing a snug, comfortable fit while reducing weight. This Flyknit technology allows for excellent breathability, keeping the foot cool during intense gameplay.

The cleat’s support system is equally impressive. A reinforced ankle collar offers added stability without compromising flexibility, allowing players to make quick cuts and changes of direction with confidence. The integration of Flywire cables into the lacing system further enhances the lockdown feel, ensuring the foot stays secure within the cleat during explosive movements.

Traction and Ground Control

On the underside of the cleat, Nike has engineered a state-of-the-art traction system. The Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 features a combination of triangular and blade-shaped studs strategically placed to provide optimal grip in various field conditions. This design allows for quick acceleration, precise stops, and enhanced maneuverability, giving players a competitive edge in every play.

Performance Benefits for Football Players

The Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 offers a range of performance benefits that cater to the diverse needs of football players across different positions. How does this cleat enhance a player’s game?

• Improved Speed: The lightweight design and responsive cushioning promote faster sprints and quicker acceleration.
• Enhanced Agility: The flexible upper and strategic stud placement allow for sharp cuts and rapid direction changes.
• Superior Comfort: The Flyknit material and cushioned insole provide all-game comfort, reducing fatigue.
• Increased Stability: The reinforced ankle support and Flywire system offer excellent stability during high-intensity plays.

These performance features make the Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 an excellent choice for players who rely on speed and agility, such as wide receivers, running backs, and defensive backs. However, its versatile design also benefits linemen and linebackers who require a balance of power and mobility.

Durability and Longevity: A Cleat Built to Last

When investing in high-performance football cleats, durability is a crucial factor. The Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 excels in this area, offering exceptional longevity even under the most demanding conditions. How does Nike ensure the cleat’s durability?

The Flyknit upper, while lightweight and flexible, is reinforced with strategic overlays in high-wear areas. This construction prevents premature breakdown of the material, maintaining the cleat’s structural integrity throughout the season. The sturdy outsole is designed to withstand the rigors of regular play on various surfaces, from natural grass to artificial turf.

Nike has also incorporated its proprietary foam technology in the midsole, which not only provides responsive cushioning but also maintains its shape and performance over time. This ensures that players can rely on consistent comfort and support game after game.

Style and Customization Options

Beyond its performance features, the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 stands out for its sleek aesthetics and customization options. How does this cleat cater to players’ style preferences?

Nike offers the Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 in a variety of colorways, ranging from classic team colors to bold, eye-catching designs. This allows players to match their cleats to their team uniforms or express their personal style on the field. Additionally, Nike’s customization program enables athletes to create unique, personalized versions of the cleat, featuring custom colors, patterns, and even name or number embroidery.

Celebrity Endorsements and On-Field Presence

The popularity of the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 is further bolstered by its adoption by numerous NFL stars. Notable players like Odell Beckham Jr. have been seen sporting these cleats on game days, showcasing their performance capabilities at the highest level of the sport. This high-profile endorsement has contributed to the cleat’s status as a must-have item for serious football players at all levels.

Comparative Analysis: How Does It Stack Up?

In the competitive landscape of football cleats, how does the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 compare to other top models? Let’s examine its strengths and potential drawbacks relative to similar offerings from other brands.

When compared to cleats like the Adidas Adizero or the Under Armour Highlight MC, the Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 generally receives high marks for its balance of lightweight construction and robust support. Its Flyknit upper is often cited as providing a more comfortable, sock-like fit than some competitors. However, some players with wider feet may find the fit slightly narrow, a common trait among speed-oriented cleats.

In terms of traction, the Vapor Untouchable Pro 3’s stud configuration is highly regarded for its versatility across different playing surfaces. It offers excellent grip on both natural and artificial turf, a feature that sets it apart from some models that excel on one surface but underperform on others.

Price Point Considerations

As a premium football cleat, the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 comes with a higher price tag than entry-level options. Is the investment justified? For serious players looking for top-tier performance and durability, the cost can be seen as a worthwhile investment in their on-field success. However, budget-conscious consumers or casual players may find more affordable options that meet their needs.

Player Feedback and Reviews

What do players who have worn the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 say about their experience? Gathering insights from user reviews and player testimonials provides valuable real-world perspectives on the cleat’s performance.

Many users praise the cleat for its immediate comfort, often noting that it requires minimal break-in time. The lightweight feel and responsive cushioning are frequently mentioned as standout features, particularly by skill position players who rely on quick movements and acceleration.

Positive feedback also commonly highlights the cleat’s durability, with many users reporting that it maintains its performance characteristics well into the season. The traction system receives high marks for its effectiveness on various field conditions, contributing to players’ confidence in their footing during crucial plays.

Areas for Improvement

While the overall reception of the Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 is overwhelmingly positive, some users have noted areas where improvements could be made. A small percentage of players with wider feet have reported a somewhat tight fit, suggesting that trying on the cleat or considering a half-size up may be advisable for some individuals.

Additionally, a few users have mentioned that the cleat’s lightweight design, while beneficial for speed and agility, may offer slightly less protection against impacts compared to bulkier models. This trade-off is common among speed-oriented cleats and is generally accepted by players who prioritize agility over maximum protection.

Maintenance and Care Tips

To maximize the lifespan and performance of the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3, proper maintenance is essential. How can players ensure their cleats remain in top condition throughout the season?

1. Clean after each use: Remove dirt and grass from the cleats using a soft brush or damp cloth. This prevents buildup that can affect traction and appearance.
2. Air dry properly: Allow cleats to dry naturally at room temperature, away from direct heat sources. Stuffing with newspaper can help absorb moisture and maintain shape.
3. Rotate pairs: If possible, alternate between two pairs of cleats to allow each pair adequate time to dry and recover between uses.
4. Check studs regularly: Inspect the cleats’ studs for wear and ensure they’re securely attached. Replace any damaged studs promptly to maintain optimal performance.
5. Store correctly: Keep cleats in a cool, dry place when not in use, avoiding extreme temperatures that could affect the materials.

By following these maintenance tips, players can extend the life of their Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 cleats and ensure consistent performance throughout their football season.

The Future of Football Cleat Technology

As Nike continues to innovate in the field of athletic footwear, what might the future hold for football cleats? The Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 represents a high point in current cleat technology, but ongoing research and development promise even more advanced designs in the coming years.

Potential areas of innovation include:

• Advanced materials: Development of even lighter, stronger, and more responsive materials for cleat construction.
• Customization: Increased use of 3D printing and scanning technology to create truly personalized cleats tailored to individual foot shapes and playing styles.
• Smart technology integration: Incorporation of sensors and connectivity features to provide real-time performance data and feedback to players and coaches.
• Sustainability: Greater focus on eco-friendly materials and production methods to reduce the environmental impact of cleat manufacturing.

As these technologies evolve, future iterations of the Vapor Untouchable line and other Nike football cleats are likely to push the boundaries of what’s possible in on-field footwear, further enhancing player performance and comfort.

The Role of Player Feedback in Design Evolution

Nike’s approach to product development heavily involves input from professional athletes and everyday players alike. This feedback loop ensures that each new generation of cleats addresses real-world needs and preferences. As players continue to provide insights on their experiences with the Vapor Untouchable Pro 3, these valuable perspectives will undoubtedly influence the design of future models, driving continuous improvement in football cleat technology.

Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 OBJ Uptempo Cleat

April 02, 2021 – The arrival of summertime means a fresh rollout of Jordan Brand retros, which feature extended sizing for the Air Jordan I and Air Jordan XI Low, two variations of the Air Jordan XI Low, a glow-in-the-dark spin on the Air Jordan VI and more. 

Women’s Air Jordan I HI OG

Taking inspiration from the 1985 OG “Metallic” Purple Air Jordan I, this women’s rendition of the Air Jordan I HI OG puts a subtle twist on a classic silhouette. The shoe features a white genuine leather upper with hits of Court Purple throughout the upper, Swoosh and outsole, and mixes things up with a satin-lined collar. This shoe will release in extended women’s sizing.

Women’s Air Jordan XI Low

The Air Jordan XI Low Bright Citrus is back, now available in adult sizing for the first time. Last released in GS sizing in 2015, this women’s-exclusive model features the OG patent leather midsole, textile upper and translucent Bright Citrus outsole. Also new: an OG carbon fiber plate. This is the first time it’s been included in the women’s version.

Women’s Air Jordan III

Another women’s exclusive, this Air Jordan III features a familiar Rust Pink colorway on a nubuck leather upper with pops of Bright Crimson on the eyelets and heel and Sail on the tongue and collar. A white midsole and clear outsole with iconic faux elephant print on the toe and heel complete the shoe.

Air Jordan I HI OG

Putting a subtle twist on a classic color scheme, this Air Jordan I HI OG employs a genuine black leather upper with Light Smoke Grey nubuck overlays and detailing atop a white midsole and black rubber outsole. The shoe will come in a full-family offering and extended women’s sizing.

Air Jordan I HI OG

Employing a similar construction and material play as the Air Jordan I HI OG Turbo Green, released in early 2019, this Air Jordan I HI OG comes with suede blue overlays and blue stitching atop a white genuine leather base. The model is completed by a Light Smoke Grey nubuck Swoosh and Hyper Royal Nike Air branding on the tongue. The shoe will be available in a full-family offering and extended women’s sizing.

Air Jordan I HI OG

A new iteration of the Air Jordan I HI OG, this summer model uses a fresh color scheme with Light Fusion Red leather overlays atop a white leather base with hits of Laser Orange on the Swoosh, collar and tongue branding. The shoe will release in full-family sizing and in extended women’s sizing.

Air Jordan IV Retro

Bringing a new vibe to a historic model, this Air Jordan IV Retro features a white genuine leather upper, Jumpman branding on the heel and tongue and an OG cement finish on the midsole and eyelets. The shoe arrives in OG packaging with a fresh color spin. It will be available in a full-family offering.

Air Jordan VI Retro

Featuring a glow-in-the-dark outsole, this model adds a neon-inspired look to the Air Jordan VI. The shoe, decked in black and Electric Green, features OG detailing in the lace toggle, branding and packaging. This summer offering will be a full-family release.

Air Jordan VII Retro

First released in April 2006, the Air Jordan VII returns in its original, iconic Flint Grey/Court Purple color scheme. OG nubuck quarter panels, white leather overlays, a multi-print tongue and a matte-finished outsole complete the classic model, which will come in full-family sizing.

Air Jordan XI Low

For the first time, the Air Jordan XI Legend Blue is releasing in low form. Arriving with classic OG materials, the shoe comes with an iced-out clear rubber outsole and carbon fiber plate. The insole is marked with a “25” — a celebratory nod to the 25th anniversary of the original Air Jordan XI Legend Blue making its debut in the 1996 NBA All-Star Game. This model comes in a full-family offering and extended women’s sizing.

Air Jordan XII Low

Arriving in time for Easter, this colorful rendition of the Air Jordan XII Low features UV color-shifting quarter panels and eyelets, a dip-dyed graphic sockliner and an icy blue translucent outsole. Arriving in extended sizing, the shoe also comes with holiday-inspired packaging.

Air Jordan XIII

This fresh take on the Air Jordan XIII sits a reflective textile upper draped in Gym Red atop the iconic panther paw-like outsole. With a familiar holographic eye and a midsole wrapped in OG Flint Grey, the retro take comes with original packaging and releases in full-family sizing.

To download hi-res images, click here.

Every Cleat Worn by Odell Beckham Jr. This Season

Odell Beckham Jr. is a Cleveland Brown and the go-to guy for Nike Football.

Growing up a soccer star and growing into the ultimate stunt man, Mr. Nice Watch has positioned himself as the NFL’s most watched style star both on and off the field.

Keeping track of his cleats, see the tale of the tape for the 2019 NFL Season so far.

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE

+ Shattered Backboard inspired. Classic
+ Y’all feeling the Uptempo lettering with this colorway?

Odell Beckham Jr.in a “Copper” Foamposite One-inspired cleat (Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)

+ Need more Foam-inspired cleats
+ Nike has done a great job of bringing some classics to the gridiron

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (Jaso Miller/NBAE via Getty Images)Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

+ The details on this sneaker go crazy
+ Nike needs to release these cleats ASAP

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

+ Orange, brown and iridescent come together for OBJ’s cleats
+ We need Nike By You to adopt the Uptempo lettering for some custom fire

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

+ The pair was inspired by the Berea Animal Rescue Friends as part of the My Cause, My Cleats
+ No lie, these go hard

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (Justin Berl/Getty Images)

+ For the second straight week, Nike and OBJ cook up an ode to The King
+ The colorway is inspired by Nike  LeBron 9 PS Elite “South Beach”

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

+ These cleats are looking good with OBJ in the end zone
+ Military camo with Brown hues don this cleat

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (Jason Miller/Getty Images)Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

+ Nike stays killing it with the Uptempo upper
+ Is this Odell’s best PE to date? We think so

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 PE (Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

+ Air Zoom Generation with that “South Beach” colorway is pure money
+ We need Nike to release these ASAP

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (Jason Miller/Getty Images)Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

+ That iridescent lettering on the cleats is a clean look
+ Brown and orange never looked so good

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

+ The cleat draws inspiration from iconic Nike patterns and collabs
+ The cleat released at the start of the game and sold out instantly. That’s the OBJ effect

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 PE (via Cleveland Browns)

+ OBJ pays homage to The King of Cleveland
+ The cleat is inspired by LeBron’s first signature model — the Nike Air Zoom Generation

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (Jason Miller/Getty Images)Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

+ These are icy
+ Hot take: these are better than the Nike Air Fear Of God 1s

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (via Complex Sneakers)

+ You can never go wrong with a black Nike Uptempo
+ Word up to Pippen

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 (via Complex Sneakers)

+ The entire design on this cleat was money
+ From the logo to the eyes transformed into 13, the storytelling on this pair is second to none

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 2 (via Complex Sneakers)Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 2 (via Complex Sneakers)

+ This pair debuted last season as OBJ was getting creative with his PEs
+ Where would you rank this cleat out of Sunday’s lineup for OBJ?

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)

+ Word to OBJ for gifting Tom Brady the pair after the game
+ According to OBJ himself, the pair was made with real goat hair

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (via Cleveland Browns)

+ A little patent leather finish on these cleats for that “Shattered Backboard” look
+ Another week, another Richard Mille watch for OBJ

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro Uptempo “Wheat” (via Cleveland Browns)Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro Uptempo “Wheat” (via Cleveland Browns)

+ Nike draws inspiration from the Nike Air Force 1 High “Wheat” aka “Flax” for this week’s cleats
+ Word to Nike for the matching gloves and sleeves

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro Uptempo “Wotherspoon” (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo “Wotherspoon” (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

+ OBJ is the PJ Tucker of football. Straight heat
+ The colorway is inspired by Sean Wotherspoon’s Nike Air Max 97/1 that has become an iconic colorway and collab within a matter of years

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

+ Nike has been cooking for OBJ every week
+ The PE features an array of animal prints across the entire upper and his logo placed on the tongue

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro Uptempo “Cactus Jack” PE (via Complex Sneakers)Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro Uptempo “Cactus Jack” PE (via Complex Sneakers)

+ The cleat draws inspiration from Travis Scott’s collaborative AJ1. These would look so good with the pink and red laces. If only…
+ OBJ and the Brown got their second win of the season in a 40 – 25 dub over the Ravens

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro Uptempo PE (Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro Uptempo PE (Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)

+ That iridescent lettering on the cleats goes hard
+ Brown and orange never looked so good on a cleat

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo PE (via Complex Sneakers)

+ The metallic finishing on the lettering is a fire look for OBJ
+ You can also see hints of it on the toe box and the back heel tab of the cleat

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 “Galaxy” (via Complex Sneakers)Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 “Galaxy” (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

+ The pair is an homage to the Nike Air Foamposite One “Galaxy” from 2012
+ They got every detail on the pair from the outsole to the shape of the Foamposite on the upper

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo “Shattered Backboard” (Al Bello/Getty Images)Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo “Shattered Backboard” (Elsa/Getty Images)

+ Nike brings out another Browns-themed pair with a sprinkle of some Air Jordan inspiration with the colorway
+ The Swoosh needs to release these to the public

Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo “Fresh Prince” (Elsa/Getty Images)Odell Beckham Jr. in the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo “Fresh Prince” (Al Bello/Getty Images)

+ You think Will Smith approves this cleat?
+ Another week, another Richard Mille watch for OBJ ($2.2M on the wrist)

Odell Beckham Jr. in his Nike Air Yeezy 2 inspired Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 OBJ Uptempo Cleat (photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 OBJ Uptempo Cleat “Yeezy 2”Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 OBJ Uptempo Cleat “Yeezy 2”

+ Already a hyped homage, the Supreme x Nike Air More Uptempo-inspired Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo takes on the palette of the 2011’s Nike Air Yeezy 2 “Blink”
+ Originally intended for pregame wear only, OBJ brought these out for in-game action

Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 OBJ Uptempo Cleat “Orange”

+ Taking on an all-orange aesthetic the Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Uptempo manages to play off team tones while still standing out
+ Peep the matching $350k Richard Mille watch

NIKE’s vapor untouchable 3D printed + carbon fibre cleat delivers dynamic speed

NIKE’s vapor untouchable 3D printed + carbon fibre cleat delivers dynamic speed
image courtesy of NIKE

at headquarters in beaverton, oregon NIKE announced their head-to-toe performance system to help football players be faster and more comfortable. the NIKE ‘vapor untouchable’ uniform with matching ‘vapor untouchable II’ cleat are designed to deliver re-engineered functionality and fit for lightweight speed and acceleration. 
the NIKE ‘vapor untouchable’ uniform
image courtesy of NIKE

the jersey and pant uniform features a chassis with minimal seams and fewer panels than traditional builds and current industry standards. the restructuring improves stretch, mobility, range of motion and durability, and creates a tight fitting, resulting in fewer grab points for the opposing team.  
the uniform is stitched with minimal seams and fewer panels 
image courtesy of NIKE

the 100% stretch woven material weighs 578 grams and repels water to maintain its lightweight in wet conditions. the garment wraps across the body to back, where every piece of the jersey converges. the uniform also replaces mesh with a laser-perforated, stretch-woven material in key sweat zones to help support thermo regulation through optimal ventilation. additional design enhancements include a vented neck grille for improved breathability and durability; back stretch collar for a better fit; and strategic elements to reduce moisture marks on the stomach and back. 

stretch woven material repels water to maintain its light weight in wet conditions 
image courtesy of NIKE

the cleats were developed using 3D printing and finite element analysis software that virtually tests the entire shoe and plate to color map key stress points. the restructured bottom sole gives athletes more speed and traction in a lightweight package with reduced components. taking insights from athletes at all levels of the game over the 21 month design process, nike designers constructed a carbon fiber cleat plate built for multidirectional movement that enables forward propulsion while simultaneously dispersing upward pressure throughout the fore foot to help reduce impact. the plate also features a stud configuration that trades traditional conical studs for new four sided studs. this layout offers maximum traction and helps advance acceleration and lateral movement.

the nike ‘vapor untouchable II’ cleat
image courtesy of NIKE

at the NIKE headquarters, we interviewed design director of NFL/NCAA apparel nate retzlaff and senior designer for the NIKE football footwear, jeff rasmussen, on the development of NIKE’s ‘vapor untouchable’ system and each of their specific design processes.

designboom (DB): can you tell us more about the design process behind the new jersey and its key features?

nate retzlaff (NR): we started this project about two and half years ago and we’ve really looked at what athletes need on field. we get to have a lot of partners in the industry: from pro all the way down to high school level. that kind of started us on this initiative of a minimal, reductive design approach. moving from 21 panels down to five panels on the jersey really provided this shrink-wrap lock-down fit for the lightest jersey and pant made today. therefore making the athletes faster. speed is fundamental part of today’s game.

DB: what about the cleat? 

jeff rasmussen (JR): it all started with the carbon fibre composite, which is the hearth of the vapour untouchable II plate. we engineered the carbon fibre to such an extreme that we were able to do a couple of things: we were able to remove a major component in the cleats themselves: the full length inner sole board. then we were able to go back and add an additional structure that helped make the fore foot of the cleats more proposive and more explosive. last thing, we were able to engineer the carbon fibre even further by sucking the carbon fibre into each individual cleat in the forefoot, helping to disperse the pressure for athletes, and this is a big deal together with making it more protective and significantly lighter. 

the cleats were developed using 3D printing 
image courtesy of NIKE

DB: can you tell us something about your background and on how you became designers for NIKE?

JR: I’m from detroit I studied at college for creative studies. iI studied design there. I fell in love with design there, then I moved to boston for couple years, and now I have been here at nike for 13 years.

NR: started my career at nike and worked in the team sport division. we were part of the team that launched the XXXXX uniform with the broncos. then took part in many different projects and nike divisions. I re-joined the football team 18 months ago and have kind of seen this to fruition as design team finished up the design process and got it to a place where it can be validated by our athletes.

the restructured bottom sole gives athletes more speed and traction
image courtesy of NIKE

DB: how do you keep your ideas fresh?

NR: obviously solving for the athlete’s problems. athletes are extremely inspiring when you hear their stories. but in terms of aesthetics and design challenges and solving related problems we definitely look outside our industry. fashion plays into it – automotive design furniture design – architecture can infiltrate our design process. sometimes it’s looking to the past like designers charles and ray eames and how they developed a new method of making chairs, while sometimes it’s looking to the future and technologies such as 3D printing.

DB: what is the most fascinating aspect about working at NIKE?

JR: you get access to players that are the greatest at what they do. it is a privilege to talk to athletes and get feedback on products. we get hard data from our labs that allows us to make things really well but before we get to that point it is the voice of athlete that tells us what data we need to collect.

NIKE used virtually tests on the entire shoe and plate to color map key stress points 
image courtesy of NIKE

DB: how hard is it to design a product that is both functional and good looking at the same time?

JR: I love the beauty, especially in cleats, their industrial form. I try to embrace the inherent utilitarian aspect of the cleats, I just try to integrate it into the design itself , I don’t think it is two separate things, I think they work together.

DB: what has been the most interesting project since you have worked at NIKE?

NR: since I work at NIKE? whoa! I think it was the cleveland brown’s redesign (part of the new jerseys series). I enjoyed the innovation that we are bringing on field as well as the storytelling and capturing the heart and soul of the cleveland’s browns – their fans and the history of the club. but also providing some innovation to the uniform and bringing some newness and freshness to the NFL.

NIKE ‘flyweave’ covers the top shoe
image courtesy of NIKE

DB: do you have a personal motto?

NR: stay humble, hustle hard!

JR: every time I have to take a decision in my life I ask myself what would my grandfather do.

nike ‘vapor untouchable II’ cleat detail
image courtesy of NIKE

nate retzlaff design director of NFL/NCAA apparel 
image © designboom  

jeff rasmussen senior designer for the NIKE football footwear 
image © designboom 

image © designboom

image © designboom

image © designboom

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image © designboom

image © designboom

image courtesy of NIKE

image courtesy of NIKE

image courtesy of NIKE

image courtesy of NIKE

image courtesy of NIKE

image courtesy of NIKE

image courtesy of NIKE

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image courtesy of NIKE

full article here

piotr boruslawski I designboom

dec 15, 2015

Manchester City-Dortmund: A Late Winner, and More Work to Do

MANCHESTER, England — There were Borussia Dortmund players sprawled on the turf, their bodies suddenly exhausted and their spirits sunk at the last moment. Manchester City’s substitutes and coaching staff had greeted the goal that inflicted the damage with great, guttural roars, leaping from their seats, pumping their fists in the air.

All last-minute victories are dramatic — the clue is in the name — just as all last-minute defeats are devastating, but the emotions they generate for the victors are not all the same. Some are joyous, with smiles and screams of delight. And some are rooted in something much closer to relief, the sense of a bullet dodged, moments met with gritted teeth and shouts of defiance.

This, for Manchester City, was very much a Column B sort of occasion. Pep Guardiola’s team had, after all, been considered an overwhelming favorite: playing at home, soaring alone at the summit of the Premier League, all but untouchable since the turn of the year, and imperious in the Champions League. It had not so much as conceded a goal in this competition since the opening match of the group stage. It has the air of a club inching inexorably closer to an unprecedented domestic and European quadruple.

Its opponent, meanwhile, was addled in crisis. Dortmund is in between managers. It is languishing fifth in the Bundesliga, unlikely to return to this competition next season unless it can win it this time around. Its prize possession — the striker Erling Haaland — apparently is starting to cast glances elsewhere, wondering if he might find a home where he can more easily fulfill his ambitions. No match at all, in other words, for a team as slick and smooth as Manchester City.

And yet it was not until the game had ticked into its 90th minute that Phil Foden managed to squeeze in the goal that won the game, 2-1, for City. Even then, for all Dortmund’s despair, a sense of at least mild disappointment will linger over City for the next week or so, a knowledge that the job not only remains unfinished, but may well prove more complex than advertised.

Guardiola’s team will expect, of course, to progress to the first Champions League semifinal of his tenure — in his fifth season, a wait rather longer than he and the club probably expected — after the return leg in Germany next week; City is, without question, a more complete, more polished team than Dortmund. That is as it should be: The latter is the sort of place elite players come from, after all. The former is generally the sort of place they go to.

But while there is an undeniable difference in experience and expectation, in financial heft and individual quality and collective organization, those advantages do not necessarily carry as much weight in an individual game as they might over the course of a season. In the blink of an eye, over an hour and a half, they are not quite as decisive as we like to assume.

And so a team as flawed as Dortmund can play a team as fine as Manchester City and come within a whisker of escaping with a draw and, crucially, leave with an away goal. Not even escape, in fact, because for long periods the German team held the Premier League leader at bay with if not ease, then certainly a degree of comfort.

City took the lead only because of an egregious unforced error from Emre Can, who carelessly gave the ball away just as his team was starting to establish itself in the game. Guardiola’s team only started to create chances with any frequency in the last 20 minutes, as Dortmund started to show the first flickering of weariness.

All the time, too, Dortmund carried no little threat itself. Its menace is not quite so well-honed as City’s, of course. It does not have quite so much control or poise; it most certainly does not carry with it that sense of inevitability that City has turned into an art form, that feeling that a goal can and will arrive at any minute, as sure as the sun rises in the morning.

But that does not mean it cannot pose problems, ask questions, cause trouble. Jude Bellingham should have tied the score in the first half, his goal instead ruled out because of an extremely dubious foul on Ederson, Manchester City’s goalkeeper, by the referee, Ovidiu Hategan.

Haaland might have scored, too, after halftime, burning off a challenge from Rúben Dias with startling, breathtaking ease, only to see Ederson foil his finish. When Haaland picked out his captain, Marco Reus, to draw his team level — and, for a while, to give Dortmund a rousing result to carry back to Germany — that was no less, really, than it deserved.

Foden’s goal in the 90th minute, of course, denied Dortmund that, but Guardiola will know that his team’s advantage is a slender one. He already knows perfectly well that the finest-laid plans can be picked apart at this stage of the Champions League — by Lyon last year, by Tottenham the season before that, by Liverpool in 2018 — and that, occasionally, it is the teams that embrace the chaos that prove most effective at doing it.

Dortmund certainly fits that bill. It has one rising superstar in Haaland — there is a reason that, strangely, one of Hategan’s assistant referees appeared to ask the Norwegian for his autograph as they made their way away from the field and down the tunnel after the final whistle — but he is not alone. Dortmund is not a one-man band, no matter how bright Haaland shines.

“If I picked any player from Dortmund, they would have quality,” Guardiola said before the game. He was right, of course. Maybe not quite so much quality as City has, clearly: Dortmund could not leave Raheem Sterling and Sergio Agüero and Gabriel Jesus on the bench. But enough to cause problems, enough to do damage: not over an entire year, perhaps, but over the course of a single evening.

There is a reason City is favored to win this competition. No side, apart from perhaps Bayern Munich, can reach so high as Guardiola’s team. But this competition is rarely that simple. The gaps between teams are far finer than they appear, and all you need, on any given night, is a puncher’s chance.

Trevor Bauer impresses in Dodgers debut

Trevor Bauer truly knows how to keep us on the edge of our seats, that’s for sure. Making his Dodgers debut, LA’s biggest offseason addition took a no-hitter into the seventh inning… at Coors Field. Truly something that isn’t an easy feat.

Things fell off the rails in the seventh inning as he allowed four runs, but it was still an overall great outing from the reining NL Cy Young Award winner.

“He was in control the entire game,” manager Dave Roberts said following the game. “He left a couple pitches up late. Overall, I thought it was a fantastic outing.”

Through the first six innings, Bauer had struck out nine and issued only one walk along while not allowing a hit. Then in the seventh, he allowed four runs thanks to two separate two-run homers. He added another strikeout, finishing the game with 10.

“Break down the hitters and what their strengths and weaknesses are,” Bauer said when asked about his preparation for his first game with his new team. “Get on the same page with my catcher. Signs, sequences, different things like that. Physical preparation. Go out there and try to embarrass people.”

He certainly did that, as through the first ²⁄₃ of the game he looked practically untouchable. Bauer got 15 swing-and-misses, with eight of them coming on his cutter which was his bread and butter all night.

“I got in a rhythm with the cutter,” he said. “It’s usually my best strike pitch. Overall I thought everything was pretty good.”

He knew he was throwing a no-hitter, but said that he didn’t care too much and it wasn’t something he was overthinking, especially considering the fact he was doing it at Coors Field, the most hitter-friendly park in all of baseball.

“I think the whole “not favorable to pitchers” thing is overblown,” he said. “Guys come in and beat themselves mentally. I don’t really care. If it happens, it happens. Unless you strike out 27 guys, there are going to be balls put in play. It’s luck whether or not they’re hit at people. I look at it as luck and just try to focus on my preparation. That’s where I try to focus.”

Bauer said that he didn’t have a chance to go back and watch film on his pitches, saying he can’t watch video anymore thanks to the new “Astros rule”. Yup, we’re one start into his Dodgers career and he’s already bagging on the 2017 AL West champions, you gotta love it.

With 10 strikeouts on the night, Bauer will be donating $10,000 to the Think Together foundation, an after-school STEM and robotics programming for middle school students in southeast LA.. Earlier on Friday, Bauer tweeted that he’d be donating $1,000 for every strikeout to a foundation during the season, with a different one every month. So, not only do you get to root for him to get as many strikeouts as possible to help the Dodgers, he’s doing it for a great cause.

“It’s something I’m passionate about,” Bauer said. “No need to brag about the things I do, but I wanted to make this public with the Dodgers foundation. Obviously I grew up in Southern California and I’m passionate about education and want to give our youth opportunities. I look forward to supporting more organizations as the year goes along.”

Jets ship Sam Darnold to Carolina for three draft picks

North Carolina has reached an agreement with assistant coach Hubert Davis to take over the storied men’s basketball program, the school has confirmed. The 50-year-old Davis played for the Tar Heels under Dean Smith before a long NBA career, and he had spent the past nine seasons working under Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams. Williams retired last week after 18 seasons at his alma mater in a career that also included 15 years at Kansas and 903 overall victories, while all three of his NCAA championships came with the Tar Heels.

Bueckers takes home John R. Wooden Award

Connecticut’s Paige Bueckers led the Huskies in points (20.0), assists (5.8) and steals (2.3) per game in 2020-21.Kathy Willens

UConn’s Paige Bueckers won the John R. Wooden Award on Monday, becoming the first freshman to win the honor, which is given annually to the top women’s college basketball player in the country.The 5-foot-11 guard had one of the greatest rookie seasons in UConn history, leading the Huskies in points (20.0), assists (5.8) and steals (2.3) per game in 2020-21. She also averaged 4.9 rebounds, shot 52.4% from the field, 46.4% from 3-point range and 86.9% from the free throw line.

Morsell enters name in draft, transfer portal

Maryland senior guard Darryl Morsell will test the NBA draft waters while maintaining his collegiate eligibility for a fifth season at Maryland or at another school as a transfer. Morsell, a Baltimore native, was the 2021 Big Ten defensive player of the year. In four years with the Terrapins, he started 108 games and scored 1,090 points.

ETSU tabs Tennessee assistant coach

East Tennessee State has hired Tennessee assistant Desmond Oliver as the Buccaneers’ new men’s basketball coach, six days after Jason Shay resigned unexpectedly after one season. Oliver, 51, is the first Black coach in the history of ETSU men’s basketball … Central Michigan has fired men’s basketball coach Keno Davis after nine years at the helm … Washington hired Rice’s Tina Langley as its new women’s basketball coach , giving one of the top coaches in Conference USA over the past six seasons her first shot at leading a Power Five program … Kentucky point guard Devin Askew has entered the NCAA transfer portal after starting 20 of 25 games as a Wildcats freshman.

BASEBALL

Nationals vs. Braves postponed

The Nationals will begin their season Tuesday by hosting the Atlanta Braves after Major League Baseball postponed Monday’s opener of the teams’ three-game series because of a coronavirus outbreak that involves 11 of Washington’s players. Four Nationals players have tested positive for COVID-19 over the past week and are isolating, while another seven are under quarantine because contact tracing determined they might have been exposed to the illness. Washington has yet to play this season; its opening three-game series at home against the New York Mets on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday was postponed.

Angels to pay Fletcher $2 million this season

David Fletcher landed a nice payday.Ashley Landis/Associated Press

Infielder David Fletcher will get a $2 million salary this season as part of his $26 million, five-year contract with the Los Angeles Angeles, up from a $615,000 salary in the majors and $296,760 in the minors under the one-year contract he agreed to in February.

BASKETBALL

Hawks De’Andre Hunter has nonsurgical procedure

Atlanta Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter continues to struggle with an ailing right knee, undergoing a nonsurgical procedure to address lingering soreness. The team said Hunter will return to activity later this week. It’s not known how much longer he’ll be out after missing 29 of Atlanta’s last 31 games. Amid a breakout second season with the Hawks, Hunter underwent arthroscopic surgery on Feb. 8.

SOCCER

Larentowicz calls it quits

Jeff Larentowicz has retired after a 16-year career in Major League Soccer that included more than 400 appearances and championships in Colorado and Atlanta. The 37-year-old Larentowicz closed out his career with Atlanta United, helping the team win the MLS Cup title in 2018, its second season in the league.

HOCKEY

NHL worried with Canucks’ COVID-19 outbreak

The National Hockey League’s deputy commissioner says the Vancouver Canucks’ COVID-19 outbreak is concerning, but he remains confident the team will be able to complete its schedule. In an email to The Canadian Press , Bill Daly says the Canucks’ numbers are “concerning from a health and safety standpoint, not necessarily from a scheduling standpoint. ”

Bullpen could be key to protecting young staff

The Indians are a club in flux. Sure, the front office, manager and coaches remain the same, and sure, there’s always seems to be a Cy Young winner ready to lead the staff. Plus there’s Jose Ramirez, arguably the most consistent player in the AL since 2017 (three top-3 MVP finishes; no other player can make that claim). Yet, the lineup is unproven, and the rotation is untested. There’s talent in both, that’s not a doubt, but there isn’t a lot in the way of consistency. At least long-term consistency.

Except, for maybe the bullpen.

The bullpen is the perfect balance of established veterans, up-and-coming superstars, and reliable pieces that could be truly great. While no one has been named the closer yet, just looking at the bullpen should at least calm some who may be overly anxious.

James Karinchak was a flame thrower last year, striking out 53 and only walking 16. All while only putting up a 2.67 ERA. He’s 25 and about to get into his best “stuff” years. He’s not the only big arm out of the back end, as Emmanuel Clase will surely look to establish himself as the top dog in the pen. He’s got the fastest arm out of anyone and can be truly untouchable if he’s able to locate his pitches. Nick Wittgren is a calm pitcher, who doesn’t let his outings get the better of him. He may not have the flash or consistency as Karinchak or Clase, but Wttgren is reliable.

It’s no wonder that Wittgren, Karinchak, and Clase will all serve as a closer-by-committee role this year, at least to start the season.

They’re not the only arms to pay attention to, with veterans Oliver Perez and Bryan Shaw once again running out from right field for the Indians. Perez was once the future Ace of the Pittsburgh Pirates but now he’s a reliable bullpen arm and at 40, has found his calling. It’s his fourth season in Cleveland and he has maintained a 2.63 ERA across his first three years.

Shaw spent five years in Cleveland, posting a 3. 11 ERA, all while becoming the team’s most reliable middle-reliever. Then injuries and inconsistent play cropped up and ruined his trajectory. He hopes to find his old stuff with the Indians.

Phil Maton and Trevor Stephan have a lot to prove still and will more than likely eat up innings instead of pitching out of tight spots. Yet, it’s Cal Quantrill who shouldn’t be ignored.

While many call Shaw “the wildcard”, it’s actually Quantrill. He’s going to do a lot in the bullpen, mostly because he’s extremely talented. Yet, he’s also good enough to be a starter for the Indians, a position he may well actually get if someone ahead of him stumbles.

This bullpen is the perfect mixture of top prospects, good veterans, unproven commodities, and the right dash of “wildcard”.  It will be an absolutely shocking turn of events if the bullpen of all things ended up being the problem this year.

90,000 The Untouchables showed the updated line-up

And in fact, it’s very comfortable there: the sound is excellent, the room is spacious. The light in general is also very, very good, only with the lighting of the proscenium is still a problem. As soon as the artist goes out to the audience, and that’s it, he turns out to be in complete darkness! But when it comes to the performance of such an artist as Garik Sukachev, all this fades into the background and does not mean anything at all. “Untouchables” is already a brand, it is obviously music with a quality mark.

Meanwhile, the group has again changes in the composition. In May “The Untouchables” “missed” the trumpet player Pyotr Tikhonov. Now the place of keyboard accordionist has been taken by a member of “Red Elvises”, a third backing vocalist has been added. Newcomers have yet to confirm their right to become full-fledged members of the group at such large concerts. But the vibrophonist Vladimir Goloukhov and the guitarist Sergey Voronov seem to have taken a firm place in the expanded lineup, which cannot but rejoice. The Untouchables clearly benefited from their presence.

The first song is “The Road Under the Ground”. There was a period in the life of the group when “The Road …” for some reason was not often performed. Alas, this turned out to be enough to make the song half-forgotten: the long dissonant-cacaphonic introduction leaves many listeners in a stupor. This time, instead of ethnic flutes playing in the original (album) performance, the harp sounds in the prologue. In the loss, jazzed keys appear, confirming the truth as old as the world: each new musician brings something of his own to the performance of old things.

Without even a second respite, Bobo’s Panties begins. The keyboard player squirms sexually behind the instrument. Surely, she perfectly understands that at this moment all the eyes of the audience are turned on her. But it looks very plausible and appropriate – “Panties …” and should be just that: seductive, on the verge of vulgarity and vulgarity as philistine.

The next two songs of the concert “Watch TV” and “Ikea” are Garik’s two great successes. The album “The Third Chalice” is generally oversaturated with hits.

Garik Sukachev

The traditional light-set with semi-acoustic pieces replaces the already familiar greetings of the youth of the 80s: Sergey Galanin appears on the stage.Performed are “White Cap” and, quite unexpectedly, Credence’s “Have You Ever Seen The Rain”. Recorded back in 1992 for the cover album “It’s All Rock ‘n’ Roll”, the song has not been played often lately, to put it mildly. Garik doubts whether the musicians will master her, whether he himself has forgotten the words, but his comrades do not allow him to stumble: Galanin takes the blow, performing half songs, and reliable classical instrumentalists – the practicing bluesman Sergei Voronov and the great bassist Alexei Ostashev …

On the dance floor “I recognize the darling by the way he walks” in the foreground is the accordionist. She walks gogol around Sukachev. A rare opportunity for the Untouchables’ concerts arises of a heterosexual duet, which, for sure, would have looked really advantageous and beautiful. Only now Garik is not very fond of. Maybe he thinks that it is too early to give out advances, or maybe in the heat of a speech it is banal to him not to such trifles. Let’s see what will happen at the other concerts of the group.

“Fast train” for some reason sounds without harp, in the loss of “White Roads” Garik portrays throat singing.Toward the end, “Angela Davis”, “My Grandmother Smokes a Pipe” is performed …

In general, the program of the September concert was very similar to that played at the end of May. Alas, recently Garik has not pampered his fans with variety. It would be nice if such “stability” would eventually be transferred to a new program and album (the last numbered album of “The Untouchables” was released almost 5 years ago).

The last chords of “Love Me” have sounded. Traditionally, the musicians line up in front of the audience for a farewell bow.Usually Garik breathes heavily and looks into the hall through the falling drops of sweat. This time the audience applauds, but Gorynych is thoughtful. Look at the floor…. The musicians leave the stage one by one. Only Garik remains on the stage. Utters words about “a great honor to sing for you.” Look at the floor again. Leaves. The microphone slips out of your hand. The blue cord remains a sad snake on the tired stage.

But the audience does not want to let the musicians go so easily and demands an encore. For dessert “The Untouchables” perform “No Turn Back”.An optimistic and at the same time “philosophical-contemplative” composition closes the concert. The stage, “scorched” by the energy of the “Untouchables,” is empty, and the audience also disperses. And I, like, probably, many others, are seized by such a rare post-rock-n-roll feeling of devastation and the end of the carnage: a floor filled with beer, rolling plastic cups, spectators crowded in small groups excitedly share their impressions of what was happening, someone silently , as if knocked down, moves to the exit. But this feeling of emptiness is so enticing and alluring, you want to experience it again and again. Few even mastodon rockers, let alone younger artists, are capable of creating such an effect.

Garik is capable.

90,000 Mourinho: I don’t want the team to have untouchables – Hala Madrid – Blogs

On the eve of the start of La Liga, Jose Mourinho gave an extensive interview to El Mundo, in which he analyzed the current state of the team, once again proclaimed his principles unshakable and in generally speculated about football.

The Portuguese coach showed a great desire to start the season : “I am bored with friendly matches. Yes, they need to be held, but this is a forced necessity. We were preparing to start the championship well. I am 48 years old and I feel like I young, being mature. Let’s see, it seems to me that this feeling will not leave me. ” Mourinho is confident that the reinforcement in the form of new players should help to raise the level of Real Madrid : “The team has become better.We didn’t spend much on transfers, unlike other teams, and I think we managed to successfully balance the roster. “ The coach emphasized that the roster has become more cohesive ” thanks to the experience of working together and common aspirations. Obviously we have added. The team is working the way they did not do it a year ago. The team should always be able to improve their game in areas that were weaker last year and we demonstrate that we used this opportunity. “

About his decision to give Antonio Adam a place in the last match for the Bernabeu Trophy : “If one day Antonio has to go to the goal, having no experience in previous matches, people will criticize me and not without reason.If he has to go to a Champions League game, people will judge me. But this is exactly what you need. I am extremely interested in Antonio becoming more competitive. I don’t want the team to have untouchables. I don’t want to have a pet and ten more players. This will not work with me. Iker remains the main goalkeeper. No one should doubt that Real Madrid is the most important thing. If the day comes when it turns out that Casillas is not up to par, I do not want Iker to think that he is still untouchable.There is no position where the player can feel untouchable. “

Regarding what prevails in judgments about him, truth or lie : “There are more lies, much more. But this is part of the game, part of life. Life is moving in this direction. In the Spanish championship, I am more than in all those which I have coached, I feel like I’m always on the battlefield. ”Recently, a friend of mine who has no idea about football told me that he was filled with pride to see the campaign unfolding against me.It is an unequal struggle, but my friend’s phrase sounded like this: “With all the stones that are thrown at you, a monument could be built.”

In connection with the campaign against Mourinho, the Portuguese said the following : “I think the world has changed a lot. There are very few people left who are guided by truth, not hypocrisy as their main principle. This was the case when our grandfathers lived. This principle worked for the rich, the poor, the successful and not so, this principle was common to all.In our time, this is no longer the case. It is the opposite that is popular now: to be hypocritical, to say not what you think, to be insincere, to forget about honesty, to think about how to survive in any way. I should have lived 100 years ago. Now you don’t just live, you must be able to live. I may be delusional, but I will always say what I think, what I feel, without fear of consequences. And this is not forgiven to me by many people. But I will never change. “

The Real Madrid coach says he has the most enjoyable moments being part of the team: “I feel great.Each time I get further and further from the realization of why I ended up in Madrid, when everything worked out for me with Inter, or why I did not leave the club after considering one of the many offers that came this summer. All this just does not occur to me, because being here is a unique experience. And also because Real Madrid is by far the most important club in the world. I’m happy here. I have a feeling that I am where I should be. I will not trade this feeling for anything. “

Last season, UEFA punished Mourinho for speaking out after his first semi-final against Barça. The coach described how it was when he came to the governing body of European football in order to defend his rights : “When I came to testify before UEFA, I had to spend five or six hours there and when I finished, I felt ten years younger, I felt younger, stronger, I told them everything, absolutely everything I wanted to express.The fact that my sentence was reduced by one match means a lot to me and to the world of football. I was right and the result was fantastic. ” The Portuguese also explained who he meant by“ pseudo-Madridists ”in his letter to :“ There are fans who give an idea of ​​the Madridists, but they are always the first to turn their backs on the club in difficult moments “. And of course the coach did not forget to speak about Barcelona :” This is a team that plays in the same tournaments as we do.But she wins when she plays well and she wins when she plays badly. I do not see the situation changing. “

realmadrid.com

Les Miserables – Articles of the newspaper “Solidarity”

Despite the calls for unity, peace and friendship, reaching from everywhere, now from the streets, now from the rostrum of the German parliament, humanity is still very far from equality and mutual assistance.Solidarity examines cases of social discrimination in different parts of the world.

In the photo: protest march against discrimination of Burakumin in Tokyo, 1985

DEAD TREES SHORE

The mysteriousness and eccentricity of Japan against the background of sakura, which blooms, but does not bear fruit, in reality is sometimes frightening. A frankly unpleasant part of the land of fruitless cherries appeared in the novel by the writer Kenji Nakagami “The Shore of the Dead Trees”, in many respects autobiographical: in the book Nakagami described the life of a simple family of Burakumin – the Japanese untouchable caste.

Burakumin are the descendants of the ancient caste this, which in feudal Japan was mainly engaged in leather dressing, garbage collection, grazing, and washing corpses. The word “burakumin” can be translated as “village man” – their ancestors have lived in villages since ancient times. Their work in those days was considered “unclean”, and representatives of this caste had to wear certain clothes and live in certain settlements. In 1871, the estate system in Japan was officially abolished, but only officially.

Discrimination against Burakumin in the Land of the Rising Sun is manifested in different ways. Some representatives of this stratum of society continue to live in some kind of ghetto, in specially designated areas. Given the degree of urbanization in Japan, the streets in such areas were (and in some prefectures remain) so narrow that it would be problematic for two people to walk along it. Not to mention transport: it is not uncommon for the entire street to catch fire during a fire in one house – the fire engine simply did not have the opportunity to drive through a narrow alley.

There is a unified register of Burakumin – and the employer, when hiring an employee, in any case “knocks” him through the register. A job may be refused if a person is a descendant of Burakumin, even if he was able to escape from this environment and get an education, at least a school one.

In 2015, thousands of Burakumin in Osaka received threats and reproaches. It is difficult to say where this hatred comes from, rather it was the handiwork of a specific radical group against the Burakumin.The Sayam incident also received publicity. In 1963, in the city of Sayama, Saitama Prefecture, a schoolgirl was found dead – Burakumin Kazuo Ishikawa was accused of killing her. According to Ishikawa, the confession was “knocked out” of him, promising a ten-year prison term, but the man was sentenced to death. Subsequently, the sentence was changed – the sentenced received 30 years in prison. Ishikawa’s lawyers are still trying to get the case reconsidered, in which there are quite a few inconsistencies: the defense revealed the fact of pressure on the witness and the evidence planted by Ishikawa.

There are exceptions to any rule that confirm it. Such was Nonaka Hiromu, the former chief secretary of the Japanese cabinet of ministers. In fact, he held the second most important position in the country. But the origin from the Burakumin family did not allow him to advance further.

A number of organizations are involved in the protection and support of the Burakumin, including the Buraku Liberation League (BLL). The organization was founded in 1946, almost immediately after the end of the Second World War, and has longstanding ties with the communist and socialist parties of Japan.It was the League that achieved the construction of schools and hospitals in the areas where Burakumin live, and insisted on the allocation of grants to Buraku families. It is symbolic that its emblem is a crown of iron thorns. With the assistance of the organization, in March 2015, a law was adopted that, at least a little, but evens out the situation of the Burakumin: obliges municipalities and state bodies to provide legal assistance to the Burakumin. The law was criticized by the Communist Party – it does not punish discrimination.

YEMEN PAYMENT

In Yemen, a small country in the south of the Arabian Peninsula, there is no caste system as such (except perhaps with the exception of the different status of men and women typical for Muslim society). But there is also an oppressed group – the untouchables, or al-ahdam (translated from Arabic – “servant”). Its representatives are paying the price for the deeds of days gone by.

The story is this: about one and a half thousand years ago, the Ethiopians crossed the Red Sea and conquered Yemen. They were able to stay there, but were later ousted from power by the indigenous inhabitants of Yemen and, in fact, became outcasts. Representatives of al-ahdam live in special areas, they are prohibited from doing any other work other than picking up garbage. Prostitution in Yemen is illegal, but it is a fairly popular activity for the Yemeni untouchables of different sexes and ages.

There is no census among al-ahdam, but, according to various government and human rights organizations, currently there are 500 thousand or more in Yemen.up to 3 million untouchables. They are most often nomadic, living in slums that can be built and destroyed in half a day. Children are virtually denied access to education and are often subjected to violence by the more privileged members of Yemeni society. Back in 2009, the UN treaty bodies – the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights – presented a number of recommendations to the Yemeni government to overcome al-ahdam discrimination.However, judging by the fact that after 8 years the situation remains the same, the recommendations did not give any effect.

NON-TOUCHED WOMEN

Not much different from the Indian caste system of Nepal was officially abolished in 1964. However, there is a special decree that actually annuls the effect of this law. According to him, the law is not valid in relation to already existing religious traditions. Let us recall that the caste system generated by Hinduism makes the untouchables practically powerless.In Nepalese cities, the caste system is implicitly expressed, and caste membership is often tied to material status: if the rich, then the brahmana, and if the poor, sit in the untouchables.

One way or another, the operation of the caste system is felt among different segments of the population. Untouchable women are forced to engage in prostitution or forced surrogacy (especially those who live in rural areas) – which are, by and large, the same thing. In order to support women from this caste, the government of Nepal pays them $ 200 monthly, but this amount is unable to solve their problems – not only financial, but also with health.

ONE CHILD – ONE CASTA

The consequences of the “one family – one child” policy of the People’s Republic of China appeared several decades later, including the shortage of women. Another problem is the “non-existent” generation. These are the Chinese who were born after the introduction of this policy, but were not registered by their parents, as the second child was supposed to be charged with large fines. In practice, this meant that the child was denied access to education, health care, legal employment and housing.According to research by the Institute for Social Development of the People’s Republic of China, in 2010 there were about 13 million unregistered citizens in the country – ordinary people who were more fortunate called them “hey hu” (people with “black registration”). Perhaps these data do not correspond to reality, because parents who break the law often hide the “illegal” child from checks. And from prying eyes too.

In 2013, due to the growing social instability, the Chinese government decided to include some of the “non-existent” citizens in the state registration system – hukou.This, however, applies to a greater extent to residents of large cities like Shanghai and Beijing.

ECHO OF THE KOREAN WAR

A rather controversial system of social stratification, however, somewhat reminiscent of a caste, exists in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The social status of a citizen of the DPRK, on ​​the one hand, determines the position and status of his ancestor during the Japanese colonial rule (1910 – 1945) and during the Korean War (1950 – 1953) – chhulsin sonbun (“family origin”).The most prestigious is the presence of a person in the partisan detachment of Kim Il Sung himself.

In addition to the Chhulsin Songbun, there are other strata: thuksu (“special”, which includes the descendants of those who took part in the immediate rise of Kim Il Sung to power), hexim (“core” – numerous bureaucratic apparatus throughout the country), tunyo (“ agitation ”- half of the country’s population). Finally, at the lowest level of the DPRK’s social structure – chokte (“hostile”). These include those whose ancestors worked for the Japanese administration, and those whose families have defectors to the PRC and to the south of the peninsula.Of course, this system does not hinder mobility – in the end, after the death of Kim Il Sung, there were many who acquired wealth and status on their own. In addition, Kim Jong Un’s mother was a woman of Chokte descent (Ko Yeon Hee was of Korean-Japanese descent).

Experts, however, believe that Songbun’s current state should be treated with caution. “There is such a detail. The documents available to us now, relatively speaking, are at best thirty years old. I have a feeling that this whole system has shifted approximately to the level of the old Soviet questionnaires, where they mentioned whether you had relatives in the occupied territory, whether you were in captivity, and so on – but this played a more formal than real role.There is definitely no specific analogue to burakumin in North Korea. The situation is complicated by the fact that there is a huge range of heterogeneous data. But I would not trust the testimony of defectors from the North – they will say what they want to hear from them, ”Konstantin Asmolov, a leading researcher at the Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Solidarity.

90,000 Soul and Maka Thorns chapter 2 – @ diaries: antisocial network

Author: NiceAndInsane
Title: Spikes
Genre: Angst, Drama
Fandom: Soul Eater
Peyring: Soul / Maca
Rating: R to NC-17
Warning: Violence, Rape, Profanity
Disclaimer: All character rights reserved by Atsushi Okubo
Original title: Thorns
Original link: www.fanfiction.net/s/5681973/1/Thorns
Permission to translate: yes

Chapter 2
You heard about it every day on TV, on the radio, in the newspaper.
Screams. Panic. Confusion. Uncertainty. Signaling. Fear. Implementation.
But it seems that what you read in the book, surreal, untouchable, is so far from your reach, as it has nothing to do with you.
Shocked. Disgusted, shocked. Unbelieving. Paralyzed. I’m afraid.
But then everything falls on you and reality gives you a good, hard punch in the face.
I am suffocating. Gloomy. Roaming. Performance. Creak. Shout. Fuck.
And you think about all these stories. You heard about the victims and wondered how they ever got through it.
Hopeless. Helpless. Worth nothing. Deaf. Painful.
As much as you try to imagine that you are somewhere else, your body betrays you and you feel that everything, life is everything, and it is all engraved in your memory.
Hands. Lips. Eyes. Neck. Chest. Ass. Dick.
And you feel so ashamed and humiliated, so bad that you want to bring everything to the end as soon as possible, that you resort to begging, even if you know that this is exactly what he wants.Rape is not romantic and never will be, it is just a show of strength, domination. So he revels in pleading, and does it
Faster. Stronger. It hurts. Dirtier. More terrible.
Better.
Then he starts to feel good. A pleasant warmth starts to spread from the edge of your hair to the tips of your toes, spreading faster and faster through your body so that you feel like it is on every square inch of your skin. And you cannot help yourself, as your body is reacting the way it was supposed to.You hate yourself completely and you start to believe him, as he whispers in your ear this is what “you want” and “you asked because you saw how you react, you look a bit like a whore!” And you feel
Ashamed. Heck. Humiliated. The defeated, the forgotten, the angry. Dead.
Your thoughts are in competition, but at the same time your mind is completely empty. You know, this is happening, but this is only a dream, this is a nightmare, this is a movie, this is a book, this is a fake, this is real, it is happening, you are there and
Alive. Naked.Only. Together. In Bruises. Destroyed. Damaged.
Everywhere he touches leaves a trail of memories and despair, and your stomach does not protest, and you want him to vomit, so that his lips kiss yours furiously, so that his hands move freely over your body, so that he goes in and out casually, so that he touches you and kisses and blows and bites and signs and threats and leaves you
Spoiled. Broken. Injured. Scared. Depressed. Absent-minded. Rape
But you cannot resist, because you are in pain and in shock, but most importantly, he holds the most valuable to you hostage.He whispers in his ear that there will be a competition, and he threatens to do exactly the same thing that he is doing now with the only person who brought you to true comfort and happiness in the world. You cannot fight or say this to anyone “because your beloved Albarn will be hurt.” And he laughs at your pain and cruel ringing in your ears, like an endless echo and that – along with everything else – it resonates in your memory for a long time. When he’s done all this, this soulless bastard keeps walking and you
Tow.You get heavier. Torn. Get lost. You are dying.
You wish
To
This
was
only
only
“STOP!”
x.X.x
Maca woke up to the sound that someone was nauseous.
Confused, she got out of bed and rushed to the restroom where the sound came from.
Any dream thoughts flew out of Maki’s sight as she saw Soul hunched over the toilet, throwing away the contents of his stomach. She abruptly to the side as he began to get up. With a grimace, he blushed and stood up, heading to the sink to rinse his mouth.
Her mind finally caught up with the current events, all feelings came back a little slowly due to awakening and suddenly so abruptly. She pursed her lips, ready to ask him once he was done rinsing his mouth. She knew something that had happened while he was gone. Even his soul felt distraught.
“Sorry I woke you up,” Soul apologized as soon as he finished, wiping off the excess water on his sleeve. His back was against her, and his head was still tilted.
Her brow furrowed and she put her hand on his shoulder, trying to get him to look at her.Soul
Don’t Touch Me.
Her eyes widened, her hearing pierced her voice, usually sarcastic and cool, full of fear and anxiety.
He turned slowly, eyes still glued to the floor. He expected, to which she shuddered, her breath caught in her throat and how she waved her hands uselessly, wanting to check the bruise on her face, but respect his desire so as not to touch it. Her hands finally stopped to cover her mouth. He must have really looked like shit to her so overwhelmed.
“What happened to you!”
He clenched his hands into fists. “It’s nothing”. I will take this as a punishment on myself as many times as I have the strength until then, he will not do the same to you.
“Who did this to you?” she asked, taking a step forward. “Was that while you were playing basketball? Was that Black Star? Kid?”
Ruby eyes rolled across the ceiling. As if they could hurt him like this. “No”
“And then what happened?” She took another step forward.You see, their bathroom isn’t really that big to start with, so at this stage, Maka was very close to him, which makes him very uncomfortable, especially considering … what happened only a few hours ago.
“Talk to me, Soul. Don’t you trust me?”
Where did this come from? “Y-yes.”
“Then tell me what happened.”
“Don’t worry about it, Maka. It’s not your business.” And I will make sure he never does.
“Has someone offended you?”
“…”
“That’s why you came home late, isn’t it?”
God, how can she be so close to solving him already? He felt himself starting to panic.If he finds out that Maka has found out, then he will go after her. A feeling of dread rose in his throat, he said the first thing that came to mind, which probably only became more suspicious for Maki. “I’m going to sleep.”
Soul climbed out of the small bathroom. Maka, being a certain girl she was, followed him, not wanting the question to go unanswered. “I bet there are also links to reasons why you were throwing up just now.”
Why should she know so much details? Although it probably wasn’t very difficult to put these parts together.”Just place it, will I?” he proclaimed just as he got to his room.
“No!”
“Why?” He shouted, turning to face her.
“Because you’re going to hurt!”
More than you can imagine. “it’s just a few bruises.”
“Are you kidding me? This bruise on the face looks like someone is punching you!”
It would be like someone else did. “…”
“And I’m sure you’re hiding bruises under your long-sleeved shirt! Soul, just tell me what happened,” she pleaded, her voice falling softly as she grew desperate to find out what happened exactly to her partner.
The gray-haired weapon swallowed and turned away, unable to look at her as he openly lied to her face. “… I fell.”
Without giving her the opportunity to be angry at his stupid excuses, Soul retreated to his room, closing the door and the lock behind him.
“Soul!” he heard from the other side. “This conversation is not over yet!”
Shaking his head, he replied, “Good night!”
“Oh!” There, in a moment of silence, where Soul did not move, listening to the quiet breathing he could only hear on the other side outside his bedroom door.Then she speaks, her voice gentle and calmer than before. “Soul, if you’re not feeling well, we can skip school tomorrow.”
The idea of ​​spending free time in their apartment, alone with your thoughts, brought nausea to my throat.
“Nah, I’m fine.”
“… If you say so.”
He raised his eyebrows as he did so, expecting her to insist on her answer as before. He listened to her receding footsteps before he let his body go limp and fall to the floor.
“Fuck,” he muttered to himself (he seemed to be abusing the word lately, but circumstances called for him). He became suspicious to Maki. If he continued to act so capriciously out of control, as when she touched him, it would take a long time, but it was all for her to jump to conclusions … which would be sadly correct.
He dispelled these thoughts from his head and climbed into bed for the second time that night. His watch showed it was now 2:30 am and he groaned because he knew it would be a very long night without sleep. He took his iPod out of his drawer and tucked the headphones into his ears, making music on loud settings.
He is only focused on the music hammering through his ears into his brain. He sat in the corner of his bed with his back against the wall and hugged his knees to his chest. Tapping his fingers to the rhythm of the blasting music in his head, he pretended that the blanket was now his hiding place and could really protect him from evil and this world.

Science Fiction: “If”, 2010, no. 5: read online: read free

IN ROOM:

Nancy CRESS.ACTION ONE

Empathy is Mother Nature’s most noble gift. However, when it is “fake”, the consequences can be most unexpected.

Tim SALLIVAN. UNDER THE UNHAPPY STAR

“On the face of terrible”, these creatures cause fear in the protagonist, but he should be afraid of something completely different …

Karl FREDERICK. UNIVERSE ON THIS SIDE OF ICE

Nothing gives rise to such irreconcilable disputes and violent disagreements as issues of world order.

David MOLEES. THE FALL OF THE MAGIC KINGDOM

What kind of “realisms” did not humanity know – critical, socialist, magical – and now the “dynamic” has also appeared.

JACK SKILLINSTED. UNSUITABLE COMPANION

Everything here is formalized, inhuman and there is no one to pour out his soul – except perhaps an electronic urine analyzer.

Tony DANIEL. EX CATHEDRA

The butterfly and grandfather have long been sacrificed to the bright future of mankind.But even this is not enough for the fairest Council.

Craig DELANCE. AMABIT SAPIENS

Are the world’s oil reserves melting? Scientists will find a way out.

Jason SANFORD. WHEN THONGES GROW ON TREES

There is one caste in this world – the untouchables.

And also:

Reviews, Video reviews, Cursor, Personalities

To find out who owns the film, you need not look into the script, but into the contract-order.Joan Didion

Magazine “If” No. 5 2010

EKSMO Publishing House

AWARDS AUTHORS

for a 10-year

Continuous, productive and successful cooperation with 585 gold memorial sign

Andrey Valentinovich Valentinov

Alexey Anatolyevich Evtushenko

Yuri Alexandrovich Nikitin

Vyacheslav Vladimirovich Shalygin

WINNERS 2007, 2008 and 2009:

M.S. Akhmanov, V. V. Golovachev, D. E. Gromov, E. Ya. Gulyakovsky, V. D. Zvyagintsev, V. L. Ilyin, O. S. Ladyzhensky, V. D. Mikhailov, N. D. Perumov, N. T. Chadovich, A. I. Bessonov, G. Garrison, A. N. Gromov, O. I. Divov, S. V. Loginov, M. G. Simonova, M. Yu. Tyrin, A. A. Kalugin, A. L. Livadny

WE CONGRATULATE OUR AUTHORS AND WISH CREATIVE SUCCESS!

90,000 Review of the film Marvin’s Room from Oleg 08/24/2019

A drama that tells about family values, the needs of loved ones, the love of others and care.Before us are two sisters – complete opposites of each other. The film immediately builds not only the main family drama, but also adds to the life difficulties of the heroine Meryl Streep. In order for the viewer to appreciate the depth of the picture, the sister has two sons, one of whom is mentally unstable. After the introduction of Meryl Streep, the plot shifts to the sons to appreciate the stupid act that characterizes the boy.

The center in the life of the second sister, played by Diane Keaton, is taking care of her father. A gentle, kind and tired woman gives love and kindness to her parents.Assessing the position of both sisters, you understand that there is a division into selfishness and kindness, that there are completely different sisters who have their own difficulties in life. Only if one suffers reproaches from her son, his antics, tries to somehow keep the remnants of the family (under the advice of a psychologist) and relieves her soul with cigarettes; the second suffers from the mother’s marasmic antics and with sadness at heart watches the withering of her father.

The scales begin to regain balance, but the blow of fate of the kind sister seems to finish off both her and the audience.Events force the sisters to meet. This is where the severity of a long absence from each other’s life can be traced, the plot is gaining momentum by the fact that in addition to awkwardness and worries about the heroines, Leo steals attention to himself. On the one hand, this is even greater drama, this is deprivation of attention from others, attacks and rudeness with which he finishes this film; on the other hand, DiCaprio got used to the role, and this is what attracts him. It is worth appreciating his early works, where roughly the same roles of difficult teenagers (“The Basketball Diary”, “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?”) Demonstrate the talent of the actor.The general grief is accompanied by support. Further demonstration of the positive impact. In terms of structure, you can compare the plot move with the film “1 + 1: The Untouchables”, since the relationship between the eldest son and his aunt is like pouring warm tea into your mug to breathe home comfort and care. Incredibly, the picture adds pleasant feelings and good emotions to this sad ball.

The disclosure and transformation of some of the heroes find echoes in the perception of this story, but only if the director really needs some actors, the main part of the plot rests on them, then others are simply forgotten over time. Such dissonance causes disrespect, but the point is in the director’s gaze. Marvin is the sisters’ suffering father, and his room serves as the unification of the whole family. You can also attribute a metaphorical meaning to the room, but everything is clear without words.

The true cause of Leo’s society turns out to be a devastating phenomenon. It’s just that the brain does not find contradictions, and the drama bites more poisonous thorns into your heart. Nevertheless, Meryl Streep continues to amaze, as if she was rehabilitated in the eyes of the audience, but one important information thrown by accident to DiCaprio’s son is striking.Then it becomes clear both the arrival of caring nephews and their sister, and the whole meaning of this story. But the curtain does not fall on this, although you no longer understand what to expect.

In the end, a new portion of the drama and contradictory actions of some of the characters. You seem to have measured yourself, already prepared for the end, but it was not there, we are also surprised. As a result, the picture puts one drama on top of another, demonstrates not just injustice in life, but complete devastation, but draws characters from all this abyss with love.Meryl Streep was pleased with the role. It is worth evaluating her early works in order to move away from stately ladies in modern cinema. Diane Keaton also evokes emotions – she perfectly got used to the role and conveyed the full range of emotions of a person in a difficult situation. Leonardo DiCaprio is a genius from birth. I never cease to admire his work. Awesome! I also liked the secondary role of Robert De Niro, it’s nice to see familiar faces, although not in the forefront.

Garik Sukachev u0026 Untouchables – My friend left… (Audio)

Author:

Navigator Records

Date added:

07-04-2021

Views: 1,050

1 view

http: // j. mp / navigatorPodpiska – subscribe to the channel https://vk.cc/bZWZk6 – download Garik Sukachev’s albums Poems and …

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