Explaining Yamal's natural talent: low center of gravity

Yamal is not short, but his center of gravity is low - Photo: REUTERS

What is low center of gravity?

We can list dozens of strengths of Lamine Yamal, such as speed, technique, ability to play well with both feet, observation ability, reflexes...

These are all professional factors, Yamal had to practice a lot to become a strong point. But among Yamal's biological characteristics, scientists believe there is one factor that makes him unique in the football world - that is, a low center of gravity.

The center of gravity, or body's center of gravity, is a special measure that has a certain influence on human mobility. For players, the body's center of gravity even shapes their playing style.

Legend Johan Cruyff, who laid the foundation for today's Barca training system, once put Messi and Maradona in the same group of players, called the "low center of gravity school".

First, let's define the body's center of gravity, which is the point at which the body's weight is distributed evenly in all directions. The body's center of gravity greatly affects the body's ability to maintain balance, accelerate, and change direction in sports.

Advantage of holding the ball

Yamal has excellent dribbling ability - Photo: REUTERS

There is a complex formula to calculate a person's center of gravity, which includes the lengths of the legs, torso, arms, head, etc. The center of gravity is calculated from the ground up, usually at a height of about 50-60% of the person's height.

According to Football Analyst, Messi's body center of gravity is about 85cm, equivalent to Maradona (82-83cm).

But not all low schools belong to the low center of gravity school, or vice versa, all high schools have high center of gravity school.

According to classification, people whose center of gravity is about 50-53% of their body height are classified as low center of gravity. The figure for normal people is 53-57%, and higher than 57% is high center of gravity.

Take Ronaldo, for example, who is 1m86 tall, and has a body center of gravity of 110, which is a ratio of 59.1%. Ronaldo therefore has a completely opposite playing style to Messi, whose corresponding ratio is only 50.2%.

Even at the age of U20, Messi showed his innate ability to keep the ball - Photo: NYT

Mbappe, with a body center of gravity of about 100cm, and a height of 182cm, has a ratio of 55%, which is in the normal group.

Yamal is 1m80 tall, considered quite tall among wingers. However, he has quite short legs and different body proportions.

According to Football Analyst, Yamal's body's center of gravity is estimated to be around 92cm-95cm, which is equivalent to 51-52% of his height. Therefore, Yamal is classified into the "low center of gravity" group similar to Messi and Maradona.

Juanjo Brau, who was Messi's fitness coach at Barca, explains the role of a low centre of gravity: "Messi has a very low centre of gravity, which makes him feel like he's attached to the ground. A low centre of gravity explains why players like Messi, despite not being strong, are very difficult to knock down."

Most players with a low centre of gravity are strong in dribbling, or ball control. They may not be very fast, or very technical, but their shielding skills to keep the ball are very high.

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HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ly-giai-tai-nang-thien-bam-cua-yamal-trong-tam-thap-20250512184922353.htm