1. A method of using an article of footwear, comprising the steps of: receiving training instructions; and in accordance with the training instructions, moving along a predetermined path and kicking a ball by contacting the ball with a ball control portion of the article of footwear, the ball control portion comprising a plurality of protrusions that are configured to bend; each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions including a major axis, a minor axis and a normal axis, the normal axis being approximately perpendicular to the major axis and the minor axis; each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions further including a planar gripping portion that extends in a direction along the major axis and in a direction along the normal axis; and wherein the plurality of protrusions are disposed in an arc-like configuration along an arc; wherein adjacent protrusions along the arc are arranged with the major axes of the adjacent protrusions in substantial alignment with each other; and wherein non-adjacent protrusions along the arc are arranged with the major axes of the non-adjacent protrusions in substantial non-alignment with each other.