Reflexes & Reactions: What Soccer Goalkeepers Can Learn From Jockeys

It isn’t uncommon for sports stars to cross over into other sports and gain further success.

That has been common throughout history, with Michael Jordan turning his hand to baseball after a period in the NBA, while a growing number of British and Irish rugby players are trying their hand at American Football.

So, could there be a correlation between the traits required to be a world-class goalkeeper and a leading jockey in free horse racing bets.

Some of the skills required to be a good shot-stopper in soccer can be transferrable, but do they match with those that are required to gain success in the saddle?

Also, could there be any limitations that hold back current goalkeepers from a life in horse racing?

Agility

It could be argued that one of the most important traits for stars in the saddle and in the goal within soccer is agility. In soccer, agility is incredibly important for goalkeepers, as they will need to quickly move along their line to make saves.

Being able to get up quickly after making one save is also very important, as it will often be essential to clear the danger posed by the opposing side. Having excellent agility is also important in the world of race riding, as jockeys will need to quickly manoeuvre their runners depending on how the race is progressing.

This quick-thinking and ability to follow through on plans can often be the difference between gaining winners and losers in the saddle.

Reflexes

Reflexes are also a common trait that is associated with both soccer goalkeepers and horse racing jockeys. In soccer, reflexes are vitally important for goalkeepers, as they will need to react with lightning fast instincts to help prevent danger for their team.

That could come in the form of making a save down in one of the bottom corners, or making the potentially game-changing decision to run off your line to intercept a long pass that has breached your defence.

Reflexes are also vitally important when riding horses in competitive races. The ability to make quick and informed in-race decisions are the fact that separates the world-leading jockeys from the remainder of the field.

Being able to quickly make in-race decisions can often be the important moment in competition that could prove to be the difference in registering a winner. 

Strength

Goalkeepers are required to be much stronger than many believe, as they will need to boast the power to jump high into the air to block opposing shots that could be destined for the top or bottom corners.

Reaching the ball is only the first obstacle, as goalkeepers will also need to have the power to push the ball away from danger to clear the threat of the opposing team scoring.

Strength is also vitally important for jockeys, as they will need to navigate heavy and powerful horses across the track while remaining as still as possible aboard.

Only the most powerful jockeys will have the traits required to make race-altering decisions, which could impact the final position of the runner that they are aboard. In order to have the strength required, jockeys will work incredibly hard in the gym on their core strength, meaning a lot of time is spent doing ab exercises such as crunches and sit ups.

Mental Resilience

It isn’t all about physical attributes when it comes to building the ideal jockey or professional soccer goalkeeper. It will also take a special individual to deal with the highs and lows of the sport that they are involved in.

In soccer, mental reliance is very important for goalkeepers, as it’s a guarantee that you will concede goals, and the trait will be required to quickly put anything behind you to focus on the remaining period of the match.

It is also essentially important when considering jockeys that ride at the highest level. Jockeys could take up to seven or eight rides per day, and it is incredibly unlikely that they will ride winners in all races on a card.

Therefore, mental resilience is required to refocus if a rider has suffered a tight defeat in the first race, as their focus must quickly switch to their next ride and the job at hand.

What Could Hinder a Goalkeeper from Becoming A Jockey?

Despite having many of the important transferrable traits that are well-matched to a career in horse racing, it is incredibly rare to see many goalkeepers embark on a life in the saddle.

The biggest reason for this is due to the characteristics required in both sports. In soccer, many of the world’s best goalkeepers stand over 6 feet tall, while jockeys are typically between 4 ft 10 and 5 ft 7.

Therefore, while it isn’t impossible, it will be more challenging for tall goalkeepers to transfer their skills to the saddle due to the difficulties in maintaining weight for the height.