Learn Hardcore Norwegian: Straffekastet tas fra droppsonen. - The penalty throw is taken from the drop zone.

Because straffekast is a neuter noun: et straffekast. The ending -et makes it definite singular, so straffekastet means the penalty throw/shot.

Norwegian usually marks the by adding an ending to the noun instead of using a separate word.

What kind of word is straffekast?

It is a compound noun: straffe + kast.

Norwegian forms compound nouns very freely, and they are usually written as one word. So instead of writing separate words, Norwegian often combines them into a single noun like straffekast.

What does tas mean here?

Tas is the present passive form of ta, which means to take.

So tas means is taken or, in a rules/instructions context, something like must be taken. This kind of passive is very common in formal Norwegian.

Is this sentence passive?

Yes, it is.

Straffekastet tas fra droppsonen is a passive sentence because it focuses on the action, not on who performs it.

A more active version would be something like:

Spilleren tar straffekastet fra droppsonen.

That would mean the player takes the penalty shot from the drop zone.