Arsenal and England international starlet Bukayo Saka is still a young pup at the age of only twenty years old and a relatively slight frame – listed as a shade under 65 kilograms (143 pounds) – which continues to develop muscularly.
Based on only his physical data, I wouldn’t chastise you for thinking that the dynamic winger is a pushover when it comes to taking on contact and duels. However, the film tells a much different story – Saka consistently takes on defender challenges and contact in stride and is able to play through it quite effectively.
One major key to that ability to take on heavier challenges from much classically “stronger” or more physically robust players is his elite balance. Lets go through some key examples to illustrate that:
On this play, Saka receives a penetrating pass from Arsenal’s key cog Thomas Partey and young Bukao fools the the defender by taking ball onto his right foot. There’s a massive opening for Saka to dribble into but defender makes contact with Saka.
Based on this still frame with Saka in a compromised position where he’s doing a short lunge while taking contact, naturally you might assume he will topple over and pick up the foul.
Wrong. Saka remains balanced and stabilizes himself in that position quickly and then swings the back leg through to get back on two feet and continue on with the play.
He’s off and the defender is left looking around at empty patches of grass, wondering “what just happened?”
On this play, he has his back to goal with his defender draped all over and pulling him back. Yet notice how balanced Saka is here with his stable base of support and leaning into the defender’s body.
Saka gets a touch with his right foot, uses his right arm to leverage the defender’s body to create rotational torque while staying completely balanced, and get the quick turn to beat the defender to the ball.
He does the entire sequence so effectively that he’s able to beat the incoming help defender and get the first touch on the ball to bypass him as well. Elite play, all setup by his ability to maintain his balance while under contact.
And then Saka is yet again off to the races.
Each of these examples illustrates how strength isn’t as simple as just physical strength or muscular development. There’s multiple components underlying functional strength and stability, balance being one of the major ones.
The balance system – actually comprised of three key components in the visual (ocular) system, inner-ear (vestibular system), and proprioceptive system (proprioceptors are little cells in your muscles, tendons, and joints that unconsciously inform the brain of where it is in space) – is the body’s GPS system, constantly informing the brain of where it is in space and therefore able to make micro or macro adjustments.
The more finely tuned that GPS system, the quicker and more effectively it can make those adjustments – leading to elite neuromuscular (the connection between the brain and muscles) control and stability. The system is critical for footballers at high levels and often separates good from great players (it’s a key part of my footballer fitness and performance programs, especially for youth footballers).
In essence, balance is a foundation for strength and effective movement. It sets the stage for everything that comes before, during, and after movement while optimizing those movements as well.
Such is the case with Bukayo Saka and it underlies why he’s so adept at taking on contact fluidly from a variety of angles and at times seemingly effortlessly. It’s one of many reasons that have him on track to be a world class player.
Fin. COYG.
Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT, (@3cbperformance) is a physiotherapist, movement expert, fitness trainer, sports scientist and mindfulness coach. He runs the LA and online based physiotherapy and athletic performance clinic 3CB Performance, is an avid Gooner since 1995, and you can subscribe to his Youtube channel (which posts a variety of Gunners’ related content).