an improved athletic shoe for use in situations where cleats are required . the shoe is provided with a plurality of cleats coupled to the sole of the shoe . also coupled to the sole of the shoe and provided around the cleats is a resilient material such as rubber . the cleats and rubber are sized and configured so as to allow the resilient material to compress and extend the cleats relative to the material when pressure is applied to the sole . similarly , when weight is withdrawn from the sole , the resilient material biases the cleats into a retracted position , thereby allowing the shoe to move laterally or in any other direction relative to the ground . by allowing the shoe to move freely when weight is released , injuries otherwise associated with an athlete being struck while the cleats are engaged in the ground are substantially eliminated .