der
Strafstoß
⚽ What exactly is a Strafstoß?
Der Strafstoß (noun, masculine) refers in sports, especially football (soccer), to a penalty awarded by the referee after a rule violation by a team within its own penalty area. A player from the opposing team is allowed to attempt to shoot the ball directly into the goal from a distance of eleven meters (elf Meter - hence the common synonym 'Elfmeter'), with only the defending team's goalkeeper allowed to try and prevent it.
It is a direct free kick opportunity from a short distance with a high probability of scoring.
- Article: der
- Meaning: Penalty kick (in football and similar sports)
🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Der Strafstoß
The word "Strafstoß" is a masculine noun. It follows strong declension.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Strafstoß |
| Genitive | des | Strafstoßes |
| Dative | dem | Strafstoß / Strafstoße |
| Accusative | den | Strafstoß |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Strafstöße |
| Genitive | der | Strafstöße |
| Dative | den | Strafstößen |
| Accusative | die | Strafstöße |
Example Sentences
- Der Schiedsrichter entschied auf Strafstoß. (The referee decided on a penalty kick.)
- Nach dem Foul gab es einen berechtigten Strafstoß für die Gastmannschaft. (After the foul, there was a justified penalty kick for the visiting team.)
- Die Spannung vor der Ausführung des Strafstoßes war riesig. (The tension before the execution of the penalty kick was immense.)
- Er verwandelte den Strafstoß sicher. (He converted the penalty kick confidently.)
- In diesem Spiel gab es gleich drei Strafstöße. (There were three penalty kicks in this match.)
🗣️ When to use "Strafstoß"?
The term "der Strafstoß" is used almost exclusively in the context of sports like football (Fußball), handball (Handball), or hockey (Hockey).
- In football: The most common usage. Refers to the Elfmeter (11-meter kick) after a foul in the penalty area (Strafraum).
- In match reports: Journalists and commentators use the word regularly.
- In rulebooks: The official designation for this type of restart.
- Colloquially: Often used synonymously with "Elfmeter", although "Elfmeter" (due to the 11-meter distance in football) might be slightly more common in everyday speech.
⚠️ While "Elfmeter" specifically emphasizes the distance in football, "Strafstoß" is the more general term, theoretically applicable in other sports with different rules/distances (e.g., 7-meter throw in handball), although those sports often have their own specific terms.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of the referee, DER man (the man) who orders the Stoß (kick/thrust) as a Strafe (penalty): der Strafstoß.
Meaning Mnemonic: It's a Strafe (penalty/punishment) executed with a powerful Stoß (kick) – the Strafstoß.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms
- Elfmeter: Very common synonym in football, referring to the distance (elf = eleven).
- Penalty: International term, also commonly used in German.
- (less common: Foulelfmeter - penalty kick specifically for a foul)
Antonyms (in a broader sense)
Related Terms
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Trainer seinen nervösen Stürmer vor dem entscheidenden Strafstoß: "Na, zitterst du?"
Sagt der Stürmer: "Ja, klar!"
Trainer: "Gut, dann gib dem Ball denselben Effekt mit!"
Translation:
The coach asks his nervous striker before the decisive penalty kick: "Well, are you trembling?"
The striker says: "Yes, of course!"
Coach: "Good, then give the ball the same effect!"
📜 A Poem about the Strafstoß
Der Pfiff ertönt, die Menge schweigt,
Ein Foul im Raum, das Urteil zeigt.
Der Strafstoß kommt, die Chance klar,
Elf Meter nur zum Tor, fürwahr.
Der Schütze läuft an, voller Mut,
Der Torwart hechtet – ist das gut?
Der Ball zischt rein, das Netz erzittert,
Ein Tor! Die Fans sind ganz erbittert… oder froh, je nachdem!
Translation:
The whistle blows, the crowd falls silent,
A foul in the box, the verdict shown.
The penalty kick comes, the chance is clear,
Just eleven meters to the goal, it's near.
The kicker runs up, full of might,
The keeper dives – will it be right?
The ball flies in, the net does quiver,
A goal! The fans are quite embittered... or happy, depending!
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich bin eine Strafe, doch kein Gericht.
Ein Stoß entscheidet, ob man trifft oder nicht.
Elf Meter sind's im Fußball oft zur Wand.
Wie werd' ich mit Artikel 'der' genannt?
I am a penalty, but not a court.
A kick decides if you score or fall short.
Eleven meters often in football's land.
How am I called with the article 'der' at hand?
Solution: der Strafstoß
💡 Other Interesting Facts
Word Composition:
The word "Strafstoß" is a compound noun, made up of:
- Die Strafe: Penalty, punishment.
- Der Stoß: Here in the sense of kick, thrust, or push against the ball.
Trivia:
- The introduction of the penalty kick in football occurred in the late 19th century to penalize unsportsmanlike conduct near one's own goal.
- The distance of 12 yards (approximately 11 meters) was established and remains the standard today.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Strafstoß?
The word "Strafstoß" is masculine, so the correct article is der Strafstoß. It refers to a penalty in sports (especially football) awarded after a foul in the penalty area, allowing a player to take a direct shot at goal from a specified distance (often 11m).
