a healthy scratch

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablesportinformal

   a player who is left out of a game even though they are not injured, usually to rest or because of team choices

   Grammar: Countable: 'a healthy scratch', 'two healthy scratches'. Often used after 'be'.

   Patterns

   • be a healthy scratch
   • make someone a healthy scratch

   The veteran forward was a healthy scratch for the third game in a row.

   Coach made him a healthy scratch to give the young players more ice time.

   Being a healthy scratch does not mean you are hurt — it is a coaching decision.

2. 2phrasefixed phrasesportinformal

   the situation of being left out of a game while fully fit to play

   Grammar: Often in the pattern 'be a healthy scratch for + game/team'.

   Patterns

   • a healthy scratch for the game
   • sit as a healthy scratch

   He spent most of the season as a healthy scratch, watching from the stands.

   After a poor training week, she was a healthy scratch for the opener.

Word forms

Common combinations

be a healthy scratch

The rookie was a healthy scratch in the season opener.

a healthy scratch for the game

He was a healthy scratch for the game against his old team.

turn into a healthy scratch

A minor lineup change turned him into a healthy scratch.

listed as a healthy scratch

The winger was listed as a healthy scratch on the team sheet.

Synonyms and how they differ

bench player

A bench player may still enter the game; a healthy scratch does not play at all that day.

reserve

A reserve is kept ready to play; a healthy scratch is specifically left out despite being fit.

Word family

scratch verb

In sports talk, to scratch a player means to remove them from the lineup.

Commonly confused: a healthy scratch or injury scratch?

Practice

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