Set piece (football)

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The term set piece or set play is used in association football and rugby to refer to a situation when the ball is returned to open play following a stoppage, particularly in a forward area of the pitch. Most often, the term is used to refer to free kicks and corners, but sometimes throw-ins. Many goals result from such positions, whether scored directly or indirectly. Thus defending set pieces is an important skill for defenders, and attacking players spend much time practising them; set pieces are one area where tactics and routines can be worked out in training in advance of matches. Some players (such as David Beckham and Van Persie) specialise in set pieces.