run of play

run of play

The overall course, pace, or flow of a game, situation, or series of action, especially in sports. McKinley has been entirely controlling the run of play on the court up till now, but that twisted ankle could give his opponent a chance to change the tide. The hockey player, once the most sought after in the league, has been having rather inconsistent run of play this season. Late in the game, the struggling German squad managed to score two goals against the run of play.
See also: of, play, run
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • be (not) out of the woods
  • shoot ’em up
  • shoot 'em up
  • throw (one's) weight around
  • throw one’s weight around
  • throw one's weight around
  • throw your weight about
  • throw your weight about/around
  • throw your weight around
  • push (one's) weight around
References in periodicals archive
Against the run of play, Ayoze Perez and Javier Manquillo combined to set up Rondon on 55 minutes and the Venezuelan made no mistake from close range.
They could have taken lead in the 5th minute, but Zahid missed the golden opportunity, which later cost them dearly, as against the run of play, Ghouri FC took lead in the 23rd minute through penalty, which Adil converted very successfully.
Once again, their lack of firepower proved their undoing as the Derbyshire visitors defied the run of play to steal the points.
I'd much rather play well and lose at this level, than play badly and win against the run of play. I don't think the players would learn anything from winning against the run of play."
It looked like that may not be the case when Jermaine Beckford headed Leicester in front against the run of play.
When asked about the quarter-final match, Oseick said he was already thinking about the final match and that of returning to Sydney with the trophy.Yes, they defeated reigning champions Iraq but they were given a hard time and their only goal, by Harry Kewell in the 117th minute, came against the run of play.
The visitors spent the bulk of the first half on the back foot but a couple of goals against the run of play put them two up at the break.
Stokesley took the lead with a strike from a distance against the run of play and doubled their advantage before Ben Kemp fired home a free kick.
Louis Saha, who missed the midweek Europa League defeat to Benfica with a calf problem, netted from 20 yards against the run of play on 26 minutes.
John Rooney, brother of Manchester United and England star Wayne, had given the visitors the lead against the run of play when he capitalised on Mark Arber's error before drilling past Tony Roberts for his first senior goal.
Chopwell went into the break 3-0 up, but against the run of play Peacock got back into the game soon after the restart.
The precious individual strike came against the run of play but could prove vital in the crazy chase for a top-six finish.
Hednesford went ahead against the run of play when Simon Forsdick's left-wing cross was headed home by Robinson.
Jim Milne grabbed the opener for Glentanar against the run of play in 42 minutes, rising highest in the box to head them into a half-time lead.
from China when I was a boy.) Second, the concept of allowing our players to be creative and have the freedom to make decisions in the run of play is a hallmark of the NSCAA and its coaching philosophy.