The phrase "affect the play of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how certain factors influence or change the dynamics or performance of a play, whether in a theatrical context or metaphorically.
Example: "The director's vision can significantly affect the play of emotions among the actors on stage."
Alternatives: "influence the dynamics of" or "impact the performance of".
Think of Nintendo's Wii, which detects movement in all directions to affect the play of on-screen games from tennis and golf to, of course, baseball.
With star striker Alex Morgan still returning from a knee injury, and the question of how turf will affect the play of each team a big unknown, for Ellis' team to triumph in Canada this summer would elevate her to a global icon in the game.
"They needed points like ourselves and it affected the play of both teams.
Robinson finally admitted today that the absence of Arnott and Niedermayer had been a distraction to his team because it affected the play of several players, especially Patrik Elias and Petr Sykora, who combined with Arnott to form the team's top line last season.
Certain marquee guys affect the play and effort of the rest of their defense.
The acquisition of Jackson also will affect the playing time of Rice, who found himself on the bench for much of the night Friday.
Asked if the incident would affect the playing time of Culliver, the team's regular nickelback, who appeared in more than 60 percent of the team's defensive snaps this season, Harbaugh brushed that idea aside.
So how will those values affect the playing styles of future England players?
The news did not appear to affect the state of play.
The focus officially returns to a season opener Thursday that provides a first glimpse at how the disrupted offseason will affect the level of play.
The expansion from 16 teams has been widely criticised on the grounds that it will affect the quality of play, but the influx of extra qualifiers will create a richer mix off the pitch.
