vapaapotkuissa

Vapaapotkuissa is a Finnish term referring to free kicks in sports, most commonly in football (soccer) and ice hockey. In football, a free kick is awarded to a team after an opponent commits a foul. The ball is placed at the spot of the foul, and the opposing team's players must remain a set distance away from the ball until it is kicked. A goal can be scored directly from a direct free kick, while an indirect free kick requires the ball to touch another player before entering the goal.

In ice hockey, a free kick, often called a penalty shot, is awarded for more serious infractions. The player taking the penalty shot attempts to score on the opposing goaltender one-on-one. Less severe penalties result in a power play for the opposing team, where they have more players on the ice than the penalized team. The specific rules and terminology can vary slightly between different sports and leagues, but the general concept of a restart of play following a foul remains consistent. The strategic importance of free kicks is significant, as they offer direct scoring opportunities or advantages in player numbers.