freistoße

Freistoße is a German term that translates to "free kick" in English, a common restart method in several sports, most notably association football (soccer). A free kick is awarded to a team when an opponent commits a foul. The ball is placed at the spot of the foul, and the opposing team is allowed to take a shot at goal or pass the ball without any interference from the opposition until the ball is kicked. Defending players must remain a minimum distance from the ball, typically 10 yards (9.15 meters), until the kick is taken. There are two types of free kicks: direct and indirect. A direct free kick can be scored directly from the kick, meaning a goal can be awarded if the ball enters the opponent's net without touching another player. An indirect free kick requires the ball to touch at least one other player, either from the kicking team or the opposing team, before a goal can be scored. Referees signal an indirect free kick by holding one arm straight up in the air until the ball has been touched by another player or goes out of play. The strategic importance of free kicks in football lies in their potential to create scoring opportunities, particularly in dangerous positions near the opponent's goal.