Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Association Football): A restart of play where the ball is kicked from within the goal area by a player of the defending team after the ball has wholly crossed the goal line, having last been touched by an attacking player, without a goal being scored.
   • (Rugby): An attempt to score points by kicking the ball between the goalposts and over the crossbar.

Usage

• The word "goal-kick" is a compound noun. It is used to specify a particular type of kick in specific sports contexts. In football (soccer), it is a method to restart play. In rugby, it refers to the act of attempting to score.

Examples

• Noun (Association Football):

  • The goalkeeper took the goal-kick and sent the ball to the midfield.
  • The referee awarded a goal-kick after the striker's shot went wide of the post and out of play.

• Noun (Rugby):

  • His successful goal-kick from the 40-meter line added three crucial points for his team.
  • The fly-half lined up the difficult goal-kick as the final whistle approached.

Advanced Usage

• "to take a goal-kick": This is the standard phrase used in football (soccer) when a player executes this specific restart.
  • The defender was instructed to take the goal-kick quickly to start a counter-attack.

Variants and Related Words

• Goal kick (noun): An alternative spelling, often written as two separate words.
• Free-kick (noun): A different type of restart in football, awarded after a foul.
• Penalty kick (noun): A direct kick at goal from the penalty spot in football, or a method of scoring in rugby.

Synonyms

• Restart (noun): (In football context) A general term for resuming play, which includes goal-kicks, corner kicks, and throw-ins.
• Place kick (noun): (In rugby context) A type of kick used for goal-kicks, where the ball is placed on the ground before being kicked.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The meaning of "goal-kick" is entirely dependent on the sport being discussed. It is crucial to specify the context (football/soccer or rugby) to avoid ambiguity, as the procedures and outcomes are different. In football, it is a defensive restart. In rugby, it is an offensive scoring attempt.

Noun

1. (association football) a kick by the defending side after the attacking side sends the ball over the goal-line
2. (rugby) an attempt to kick a goal