Premier League teams are increasingly adopting choreographed set-piece tactics, such as NFL-style “rub routes” and basketball-like “screens,” to create scoring opportunities by impeding defenders and goalkeepers in deliberately planned ways
LONDON — A tactical revolution is unfolding in the Premier League, with teams increasingly deploying American football-style set-piece routines to gain a critical advantage. The league is witnessing a shift from traditional zonal crosses to highly choreographed plays where attackers run pre-determined “routes” designed to create space.
The tactics bear a striking resemblance to NFL strategies. A prime example is the “rub route,” where a player’s movement indirectly blocks a defender’s path. Arsenal’s winner against Newcastle showcased this, as William Saliba’s run “indirectly crowded [goalkeeper] Nick Pope’s path to the ball,” preventing him from claiming the cross before Gabriel scored.
More direct blocking is also prevalent, mirroring “screening” in basketball. Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton demonstrated this, standing still to block a West Ham defender, which allowed Marc Guéhi to break free unmarked. This structured approach gives coaches greater influence, akin to their NFL counterparts.
As one analyst noted, by dominating possession and reducing risk in open play, managers like Mikel Arteta and Enzo Maresca create more opportunities to capitalize on these rehearsed set-pieces, where preparation and precision can decisively influence tight matches.