free kick

American  

noun

Soccer.

1. an unhindered kick of a stationary ball, usually awarded to a player as the result of a foul committed by a player from the opposing team.

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free kick British  

noun

1. soccer a place kick awarded for a foul or infringement, either direct, from which a goal may be scored, or indirect, from which the ball must be touched by at least one other player for a goal to be allowed

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Etymology

Origin of free kick

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

free kick

Malik Tillman’s exquisitely placed, curving free kick for a goal in the 82nd minute might have been Messi-esque, but the call on Balogun?

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026

Despite being undermanned, they managed to withstand an emboldened Bosnia attack and find the back of the net again when Malik Tillman curled home a free kick in the 82nd minute.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026

Again, it mattered little with the U.S. getting that goal back three minutes later with Tillman bending a free kick from the top of the box off Vasilj’s gloved right hand and into the net.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026

In the 17th minute, Portugal had won a free kick on the edge of the box, and the entire stadium was certain of what would happen next.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

The Lightning were awarded a free kick from fifteen yards out.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John