Baseball runners avoid the tag.
Quarterbacks avoid the sack.
Running backs and wide receivers avoid tacklers.
Basketball players avoid the double team.
All these athletes are successful if they avoid confrontation.
The base runner avoids confrontation with the catcher’s mitt – he scores a run. The quarterback avoids confrontation with the rusher – he completes a pass. The running back or wide receiver avoids confrontation with the tacklers – he breaks free for a touchdown. The dribbler passes to avoid the double team – a basket is scored.
Avoidance in these situations seems pretty darn positive.
But, turn the situation around. The defensive players are successful if they seek confrontation. The catcher confronts the runner with the mitt – he saves a run from scoring. The rusher confronts the quarterback with his body – he drops the offense for a yard-losing sack. The tackler confronts the runner or receiver – he saves a score or breaks up a play. The double team traps the dribbler – a turnover results in a change of possession.
These defensive and offensive players confront and avoid situations seem clear, depending on your perspective, of course.
But, not all life situations have such clear delineation or obvious perspective. Deciding when to avoid or when to confront is not always easy. And deciding how to do it is even trickier.
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