The Quickest Reflexes In Sports

Posted by Zane | Filed under Uncategorized

Although some may argue…well, probably most will argue, but if you ask me, no athlete in any sport has reflexes that match the world’s greatest goalkeepers. Bold statement? Consider the competition:

  1. Basketball Players: quick reflexes come into play on blocks, steals, bad passes…what else? I’m not too convinced that there is much of an argument for basketball players.
  2. Football Players: quick reflexes come from wide receivers, running backs, defensive linemen…well, just about anyone on the football field. I’ve yet to see a football player that could come close to cutting it as a goalkeeper, though.
  3. Baseball Players: making a split second decision whether or not to swing a bat, dive at a ball, or stop a pitch in the dirt, is impressive. That said, I’ve still seen better.
  4. Volleyball Players: digging a hard spike and keeping it in play is noteworthy. I can’t really think of anything else, though.
  5. Hockey Players: now I would like to give the goalkeepers of hockey some credit. I couldn’t be more impressed with their reflexes; especially given the fact that they spend the entire game on ice skates!

Still, a soccer ball gets moving quite a bit faster than a hockey puck - AND - a soccer goalkeeper is required to cover a goal that is double the height and quadruple the width. Big difference.

If you disagree, prove it. Send me a link or an email or something showing me an athlete with reflexes even close to as quick as a soccer goalkeeper. Few things in all of sports are as impressive as a save made by a goalkeeper.

In fact, take a look at this video: Goalkeeper Video

Tags: , , , ,

Permalink | November 12th, 2008

9 Responses to “The Quickest Reflexes In Sports”

  1. Johnny Says:
    November 12th, 2008 at 11:06 pm

    I think a hockey puck travels faster than a soccer ball.

  2. Zane Says:
    November 12th, 2008 at 11:16 pm

    That depends entirely upon who’s kicking the ball and who’s hitting the puck. If you’re talking about professionals in each sport, soccer balls travel faster. Google it!

    Also, the goal is still WAY huger.

  3. ckirkland Says:
    November 13th, 2008 at 6:05 pm

    what ever makes you sleep at night zach

  4. ckirkland Says:
    November 13th, 2008 at 6:21 pm

    The fastest moving ball in sports is in the game of Jai Alai 188 mph (unofficial at 200mph indeed)

  5. amott Says:
    November 18th, 2008 at 10:20 pm

    This statement is unreal. I admit I probably cant do either very well, but I completely and adamantly disagree. There is no way a player, regarldess of class level, even compares when it comes to baseball. Hitting any kind of pitch or most line drives, blows this comparsion out of the water. Even the amount of distance the keeper has to cover is nothing compared to the dimensions of a baseball to bat, speed, and specifically the route traveled. Once again unreal comparison. I actually challenge you to explain how you came to this conclusion. the above description simplified it and threw the laws of physics out the window.

  6. James Says:
    November 19th, 2008 at 12:23 pm

    amott, I played both goalie and 3rd base you obviously don’t know what you’re talking about. Goalie required WAY more skill and quicker reflexes.

  7. Zane Says:
    November 19th, 2008 at 12:42 pm

    I’d be glad to explain…

    First of all, similar to James, I grew up playing infield (short stop) in baseball and goalkeeper. Goalkeeper was and is way more difficult. So, given the fact that I have experience in both areas at highly competitive levels, first hand knowledge is my first point.

    Second of all, I don’t care what type of pitches are thrown at a baseball player. Do you not think that a skilled soccer player can do just as much (if not more) than a pitcher in baseball can do with a ball?! If not, you need to check it out.

    Third of all, ball speed. A soccer ball moves faster than a baseball whether the baseball is hit or thrown. According to baseball bat manufacturers the maximum speed off of a high tech bat is up to 115 mph! We both know that a baseball has never been thrown that fast. Check this kick out (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzv9ytmn2Zk&NR=1)…it was recorded at over 130 mph. Facts are facts, and the facts actually show that this comparison is accurate.

    Finally, tell me who is required to have incredibly fast reflexes in baseball. I can think of (1) anyone hitting the ball, (2) anyone playing infield. I know, the outfielders need quick reflexes, but they have much more time to react. Now, tell me how much ground a baseball player REALISTICALLY covers per position on a line drive relative to a goalkeeper. The answer is, very little. How far away is an infielder from the hitter? Answer: 90 feet. How far is a goalkeeper from the player taking a shot in soccer? Usually not much further than 50-60 feet…and the ball travels faster!!!

    Let me know if I can explain anything else.

  8. Nick Says:
    December 2nd, 2008 at 11:39 pm

    Table Tennis? Badminton? The reflexes involved in blocking a loop in table tennis are unreal.

  9. john Says:
    March 8th, 2009 at 11:13 pm

    agree with Nick, badminton can go like 206 mph (332 km/h), and in pingpong you are so closer to each other in distance. i don’t think goal keeping comes close to any of them. well goal keeping is half because the goal is big, but that places more stress on how fast and FAR you are jump to save the goal. In badminton (the court is bigger than the goal) and pingpong (you are so close and there are crazy spin at the same time), pretty every turn requires great reflex

Leave a Reply