Definition & Meaning of "free kick"

What is a "free kick"?

A free kick is a method of restarting play in sports like soccer and football after a foul or rule violation. It is awarded to the team that was not responsible for the foul. The player taking the free kick is allowed to kick the ball without interference from the opposing team, although they must be a certain distance away. There are two types of free kicks: direct, where the ball can be kicked directly into the goal for a score, and indirect, where the ball must touch another player before a goal can be scored. The objective is to use the kick to either score or set up a teammate for a goal.