What must a player do before taking a free kick?

A player must ensure the ball is stationary before taking a free kick because this is crucial for the proper execution of the kick under the Laws of the Game. A stationary ball ensures that the kick is legal and correctly taken. If the ball is not stationary, the player may not make legal contact, which could lead to a restart of play with an indirect free kick awarded to the opposing team.

In terms of the other options, while it is common practice to wait for the referee's whistle in many situations, this is not an explicit requirement for a free kick, especially for a quick free kick. Kicking the ball to a teammate immediately may be a strategy, but it is not a necessary action; players can choose to take their time. Performing a dribble move is also not relevant to the process of taking a free kick, as it detracts from the requirement that the ball must be stationary before the kick is taken.