Athletic footwear with ball control portions

An article of footwear comprising:

• an upper having an outer surface;
• the upper also including a toe portion and an opening configured to receive a foot;
• a first ball control portion disposed on the outer surface of the upper and a second ball control portion disposed on the outer surface of the upper;
• the first ball control portion including a first gripping member, the first gripping member comprising a first height, the first gripping member comprising a raised structure with an approximately triangular cross-sectional shape that is substantially constant throughout the first height;
• wherein the first ball portion forms a kicking surface, wherein the kicking surface increases in height in a direction extending from the toe portion towards the opening such that the kicking surface is inclined with respect to the outer surface of the upper;
• the second ball control portion including a second gripping member, the second gripping member comprising a strip with a substantially elongated shape;
• and
• wherein the first gripping member is approximately aligned with the second gripping member.

An article of footwear comprising:

• an upper having an outer surface;
• a sole structure;
• the upper also including a toe portion and an opening configured to receive a foot;
• a first direction extending from the toe portion towards the opening;
• a second direction extending from a vamp portion of the upper towards the sole structure;
• a first group of gripping members disposed on the outer surface comprising a first ball control portion;
• the first group of gripping members including a first gripping member, the first gripping member having a first height;
• the first gripping member having a shape substantially similar to a triangular prism, wherein the shape of the first gripping member is substantially constant throughout the first height;
• a second group of gripping members disposed on the outer surface comprising a second ball control portion;
• the second group of gripping members including a second gripping member;
• the second gripping member comprising a substantially elongated shape;
• the first group of gripping members being approximately aligned with the second group of gripping members with respect to the second direction;
• and
• wherein the first ball control portion has a maximum height and a minimum height, such that the first group of gripping members collectively forms a kicking surface that is inclined along the first direction with respect to the outer surface of the upper.

An article of footwear comprising:

• an upper including an outer surface;
• a first gripping member extending over the outer surface of the upper, the first gripping member comprising a raised structure with an approximately triangular cross-sectional shape that is substantially constant throughout the first height;
• the first gripping member having a top surface, wherein the top surface is substantially smooth;
• a second gripping member extending over the outer surface of the upper, the second gripping member having an elongated shape;
• the second gripping member having a to surface, the to surface including a plurality of protrusions;
• the first gripping member including a first edge extending along a first length of the first gripping member and the second gripping member including a second edge extending along a second length of the second gripping member;
• and
• wherein the first edge is substantially aligned with the second edge.

An article of footwear comprising:

• an upper including an outer surface;
• a first gripping member extending over the outer surface of the upper, the first gripping member having a shape substantially similar to a triangular prism;
• a second gripping member extending over the outer surface of the upper and disposed adjacent to the first gripping member;
• the second gripping member having an elongated shape;
• a third gripping member extending over the outer surface of the upper, the third gripping member having the shape of a strip;
• the third gripping member including a top surface, wherein a plurality of protrusions are disposed on the top surface of the third gripping member;
• the second gripping member extending between the first gripping member and the third gripping member;
• and
• wherein the first gripping member, the second gripping member and the third gripping member are approximately aligned.

An article of footwear, comprising:

• a sole structure;
• an upper including an outer surface;
• a first gripping member extending over the outer surface of the upper, the first gripping member having a shape substantially similar to a triangular prism;
• the first gripping member having a to surface, wherein the to surface is substantially flat;
• a second gripping member extending over the outer surface of the upper, the second gripping member having an elongated shape, wherein the second gripping member has a first length;
• a third gripping member extending over the outer surface of the upper, the third gripping member comprising a strip, wherein the third gripping member has a second length;
• wherein the first length is less than the second length;
• the second gripping member extending between the first gripping member and the third gripping member;
• and
• wherein the first gripping member, the second gripping member and the third gripping member present an approximately continuous edge along the outer surface of the upper.