01-25-2024, 11:28 AM
My wife and I sit a few rows behind the Stanford bench. We get to see serious strategy sessions and we get to see fun celebrations. The situation that I was recounting about Haley and the huddle was in a serious game-time context. The players were seated as was Tara. The group was seriously strategizing about the next game play. The game situation was tense. That is, all but Haley. She wasn’t huddled over or listening, she was the only player standing upright behind Tara. Haley caught my attention because, while the rest of the team was gathered around the coaches, she was standing looking around Maples with her hands on her head playing some version of sky pilot.
So, if that is what is observed, what is the inference? Is Haley bored, aloof, disrespectful of the coach, ADHD, or just goofing around? I really had no idea until Coach Britney took Haley's hand, walked her back a couple of steps, and shook her head "no." The kindest inference I could make was that Haley was simply distracted and in her own world. A more critical inference would be that she didn’t show respect for her coach. I’m sure that each person will conclude differently depending on the point he or she wishes to make. But, it would be a real stretch to say she was celebrating. The context was not set for frivolity.
So, if that is what is observed, what is the inference? Is Haley bored, aloof, disrespectful of the coach, ADHD, or just goofing around? I really had no idea until Coach Britney took Haley's hand, walked her back a couple of steps, and shook her head "no." The kindest inference I could make was that Haley was simply distracted and in her own world. A more critical inference would be that she didn’t show respect for her coach. I’m sure that each person will conclude differently depending on the point he or she wishes to make. But, it would be a real stretch to say she was celebrating. The context was not set for frivolity.