DALLAS — A free kick is awarded after most common fouls are committed during a soccer match. The team that was fouled receives possession of the ball and is allowed to restart play without pressure from opposing players immediately defending the ball.
When a foul occurs, the referee stops play by blowing the whistle. The fouled team then takes a free kick from the exact location where the foul occurred. This allows the game to continue fairly while giving the disadvantaged team a chance to maintain possession and create an attacking opportunity.
Free kicks are among the most common actions in soccer because fouls occur frequently during normal gameplay. They can be used strategically by teams to move the ball into dangerous attacking areas or to restart possession and build offensive momentum.
Because it happens so often, it’s one of the easiest rules for new fans to understand. When the whistle sounds after a foul, the game resumes with a free kick — one of soccer’s fundamental elements for keeping play moving.
Brush up on your knowledge ahead of the World Cup with these explainers: