vrijeslag

Vrijeslag is a Dutch term used to describe a free shot or free restart awarded after a foul or stoppage in play. The phrase literally combines vrij (free) with slag (strike or shot) and is used in Dutch-language sports literature to indicate a restart from a designated spot that allows the attacking team to attempt a goal while the ball is in play. The exact procedures and terminology vary by sport and governing body, but the core idea remains: the ball is typically stationary at the moment of the restart, and opponents must respect a set distance until the shot is taken.

In practice, what vrijeslag refers to can differ between sports. In association football (soccer), the nearby equivalent is the free kick, which may be direct (a goal can be scored directly from the kick) or indirect (the ball must touch another player before a goal is counted). The location of the kick is determined by where the foul occurred, with additional rules governing the goalkeeper’s position, the defending team’s distance, and handling within the penalty area. In field hockey, a comparable restart is often called a free hit or free ball, with its own sport-specific requirements, such as distances defenders must maintain and the manner in which the ball is played from the spot of the infringement.

Origin and usage: The term arises from the Dutch words vrij and slag and appears in Dutch-language rulebooks and commentary to describe these restarts. In modern practice, sport-specific terminology (free kick, free hit, indirect/free kick rules) is usually preferred for precise procedures, but vrijeslag remains a recognized generic label in Dutch.