set-piece
SET-peess
/ˈsetˌpiːs/
A carefully practiced move or play that is executed when the ball is returned to play after a stoppage.
Includes corner kicks, free kicks, and throw-ins in soccer, or specific inbound plays in basketball.
The story behind the word. A compound of 'set' (fixed) and 'piece' (a portion of play). It implies a part of the game that has been 'set' or fixed in advance through practice.
Word relationships
- dead-ball situation: Dead-ball situation is the state of the game; set-piece is the specific move played during that state.
- open play: Open play is the normal, unscripted flow of the game.
Commonly confused with
- play: A 'play' can happen anytime; a 'set-piece' only happens after the whistle has stopped the game.
Collocations
- set-piece specialist
- defend a set-piece
- practice set-pieces
- set-piece goal
Example sentences
- "They are incredibly dangerous from any set-piece situation because of their height and organization." Soccer analysis
- "The coach drew up a brilliant set-piece for the final two seconds of the game." Basketball
Memory hook
The play is 'set' in stone before the 'piece' of action begins. The rehearsed routine.
When not to use
Don't use for 'open play' (the normal flow of the game).
Fun facts
- In modern professional soccer, up to 30% of all goals are scored from set-piece situations.
- The term is also used in filmmaking to describe a major, elaborate scene.
Related words
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