Although Hinata isn’t getting much attention from others, he’s going to make the most of his time before the Spring Tournament. Despite not being invited to training camp, he crashes and sticks around, but for what? What is he doing if not advancing like everyone else around him seems to be doing so?

While Hinata is allowed to stay, he’s not going to be getting any real practice in. He’s allowed to stay, but only as the ball boy. Everyone else is either getting special training, like Kageyama, or regular practice in at school but Hinata is… just chasing balls and making drinks for everyone. Well, after the first day is up Hinata just can’t catch a break. Not only does Tsukishima just belittle him into nothing, but the next day he has to face both Ukai and Takeda, and even Daichi scolds him for a bit. Even though what he did was pretty irresponsible, he’s allowed to keep going. Ukai just leaves him with some advice, “Don’t go underestimating what it takes to be a ball boy”.

Even if Hinata doesn’t get to participate in practice, he’s still watching. He’s watching and listening to everything that is said and done, although he keeps getting yelled at due to losing focus. Ukai says to not underestimate being a ball boy, but what exactly is there? Well, my theory is that this will help improve his attention not only at catching the ball, but on reading his opponents. He has to focus on the ball in order to catch it without any blunders, so that can transfer onto a real game and if he can learn to read his opponents then even better! Since everyone is practicing serving he’s getting a chance to scope out the talent from other schools while also seeing what they’re doing and how they’re being corrected.

Shiratorizawa alumni and third years were asked to come and play against the training camp which made for quite the twist. Satori was ready to take Hinata down when he saw him… but that wasn’t going to happen this time. After the match, both Satori and Ushijima ask him just what is he doing then if not practicing. Not only did Hinata not have an answer for this, but he’s wondering what exactly is he doing. There’s little time before the Spring Tournament and he’s getting left behind. He goes into the supply closet to try and change his way of thinking. Yes, it seems like he’s wasting his time but is that really the case?

Well, as I mentioned earlier that he’s watching and observing everyone around him. Just because he’s not physically training doesn’t mean he’s wasting his time. Also, Ukai gives him the advice of not underestimating what it takes to be a ball boy which means even he, the coach, sees an opportunity for Hinata. Also, I’m actually impressed by Hinata that he’s looking to change his way of thinking to find the benefit of this ‘training’ he’s doing instead of just doing what some protagonist and complain to their teacher. While others are just looking down on him, he’s determined to continue, rising above Tanji Washijo’s expectations (hopefully).