der  Freistoß

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfʁaɪ̯ʃtoːs/

⚽ What exactly is a Freistoß?

Der Freistoß is a term from sports, especially team sports like Fußball (soccer/football), Handball, or Hockey.

It refers to a set piece where play is restarted with a stationary ball after a rule violation (a foul or handball). The team against which the violation was committed gets to play the ball unimpeded from the spot of the offense.

A distinction is often made between:

• Direkter Freistoß (Direct free kick): A goal can be scored directly.
• Indirekter Freistoß (Indirect free kick): The ball must touch another player before a goal is valid.

The word is masculine, so it's always der Freistoß.

🧐 Grammar: Declension of 'der Freistoß'

Freistoß is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Schiedsrichter pfiff und gab einen Freistoß für die Heimmannschaft.
   (The referee blew the whistle and awarded a free kick to the home team.)
2. Die Ausführung des Freistoßes war meisterhaft.
   (The execution of the free kick was masterful.)
3. Nach dem Freistoß ging der Ball knapp am Tor vorbei.
   (After the free kick, the ball went just wide of the goal.)
4. Der Spieler verwandelte den Freistoß direkt.
   (The player converted the free kick directly.)
5. Gefährliche Freistöße sind seine Spezialität.
   (Dangerous free kicks are his specialty.)

🗣️ How to use 'Freistoß'?

The term "Freistoß" is used almost exclusively in a sporting context.

• Fußball (Soccer/Football): The most common usage. Example: "Der Freistoß aus 20 Metern Torentfernung führte zum Ausgleich." (The free kick from 20 meters led to the equalizer.)
• Handball: Here, there are also Freiwürfe (free throws), often used synonymously, although technically slightly different.
• Hockey: Free hits are also awarded after rule violations here.

Distinction from similar terms:

• Elfmeter (Penalty kick): An Elfmeter (or Strafstoß) is a special type of direct free kick in football, awarded for a foul inside the penalty area and taken from the penalty spot. It represents a much clearer goal-scoring opportunity than a regular Freistoß.
• Eckstoß (Corner kick): Awarded when the ball is played over the defending team's goal line by a player of the defending team.

Figuratively, "Freistoß" is rarely used, perhaps metaphorically for an unimpeded chance after someone else's mistake.

💡 Mnemonics for 'der Freistoß'

1. Article Mnemonic: Think of DER player who shoots the ball. It's his kick ('Stoß'), therefore der Freistoß. Or remember that many sports terms involving a ball action are masculine (der Ball, der Schuss, der Stoß, der Wurf).
2. Meaning Mnemonic: The player is frei (free) to stoßen (kick/strike) the ball without an opponent directly interfering. Free + Kick = Freistoß.

Imagine: A player stands free (frei), ready for the kick/strike (Stoß) – the moment belongs to him! (der Moment).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Related Terms (Don't Confuse):

• Elfmeter/Strafstoß: Penalty kick (special free kick from the penalty spot).
• Eckstoß/Ecke: Corner kick.
• Abstoß: Goal kick (taken by the goalkeeper).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Trainer seinen neuen Stürmer: "Kannst du eigentlich Freistöße schießen?"
Antwortet der Stürmer: "Klar Trainer, wohin soll ich ihn denn schießen? Ins Tor oder daneben?"

Translation:
The coach asks his new striker: "Can you actually take free kicks?"
The striker replies: "Sure coach, where should I shoot it? Into the goal or wide?"

📜 Poem about the Freistoß

Der Pfiff ertönt, das Spiel steht still,
Ein Foul geschah, gegen den Will'.
Der Ball liegt ruhig, die Mauer steht,
Ein Freistoß kommt, bevor's zu spät. Der Schütze läuft an, voller Kraft,
Ein Bogenflug, der Hoffnung schafft.
Der Torwart fliegt, doch ohne Chance,
Im Netz der Ball, die Siegesbalance!

Translation:
The whistle sounds, the game stands still,
A foul occurred, against the will.
The ball rests quiet, the wall stands tall,
A free kick comes, before the fall.
The kicker runs up, full of might,
A curving flight, creating light (hope).
The keeper dives, but has no chance,
In the net the ball, the winning balance!

❓ Little Riddle

Ich werde gegeben nach Pfiff und Foul,
Die Mauer zittert, man hört Gemurmel und Maul.
Mal direkt aufs Tor, mal nur ein Pass,
Bin ich im Fußball großer Spaß (oder Frust, je nach Fass').

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am given after whistle and foul,
The wall trembles, one hears murmurs and scowl.
Sometimes straight at goal, sometimes just a pass,
In soccer, I'm great fun (or frustration, depending on the glass').

What am I?
Answer: Der Freistoß (The free kick)

🧩 Word Composition & Trivia

Word Composition:

The word "Freistoß" is composed of:

• frei: Adjective, meaning 'free' or 'unimpeded' here, without direct obstruction by an opponent.
• Stoß: Noun (der Stoß), meaning 'kick', 'push', or 'thrust' here, referring to striking the ball.

Trivia:

• Famous free kick specialists like David Beckham, Juninho Pernambucano, or Cristiano Ronaldo perfected the art of the Freistoß and often scored spectacular goals.
• In football (soccer), the distance the defensive wall must be from the ball for a Freistoß is set at 9.15 meters (10 yards).