rearfoot the torsional strength of the i beam element or rib 20 along its longitudinal axis may be used to tune the torsionability of the shoe 1 about the longitudinal axis 15 in addition torsion may be provided by constructing the intermediate portion 12 of a material with different mechanical properties than that used for the forefoot and rearfoot portions 16 14 for example using a material with a lower torsional strength in the intermediate portion 12 will increase the torsionability flex range of the shoe fig2 a 1 2 a 3 represent a cross sectional view a lateral side view and a medial side view of the torsion system 5 of fig1 all three views depict a single plate comprised of a forefoot portion 16 a rearfoot portion 14 and an intermediate portion 12 fig2 b 2 f represent various cross sectional views of the torsion system 5 of fig1 taken generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 15 section b b is taken at the front end of the forefoot portion 16 section c c is taken at approximately the midpoint of the forefoot portion 16 and illustrates one possible cleat attachment system 18 section d d is taken at approximately the point where the forefoot portion 16 couples to the intermediate portion 12 section e e is taken at approximately the midpoint of the intermediate portion 12 and illustrates an intermediate portion 12 substantially narrower than the forefoot portion 16 section f f is taken at approximately the midpoint of the rearfoot portion 14 and illustrates a rearfoot portion 14 forming a centrally disposed aperture 24 another embodiment of a torsion system 50 according to the present invention is shown in fig3 the torsion system 50 may be a single plate 110 having an intermediate portion.