What Is a Ward in Lacrosse?

That free-arm push when a defender gets close? That's a ward. Here's what warding is, why it's illegal, where the line is and how to protect the ball without giving it away.

I was 9 years old at my first pro lacrosse game. In the middle of the game, the guy with the ball stuck his arm out to hold off his defender. Someone in the stands yelled, "That's a ward!" I looked at him, confused, and asked, "What's a ward in lacrosse?"

Literally, to ward means "to protect or guard." In lacrosse, a ward is an illegal move where the ball carrier uses a free hand, arm or other part of the body to hold, push or control a defender or the defender's stick, gaining an unfair advantage. That's called warding, and it'll cost you the ball.

In this article, I'll explain what a ward is, how to avoid it, the rules, the differences between the men's and women's game, and where the line is between legal and illegal.

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What is a ward in lacrosse?

Warding is when the ball carrier tries to create space by using a free hand to shove, nudge or even lightly bump a defender away. It gives an unfair advantage, and it usually leads to a turnover.

It's basically saying "back off" with your arm. But it's illegal, and it'll cost you the ball.

In short: warding in lacrosse = a technical foul.

Why is warding illegal in lacrosse?

Simple: it keeps the game fair. Lacrosse is a contact sport, but it's not wrestling.

Warding gives the ball carrier an unfair edge and throws off the balance between offense and defense. It also slows the game down, and nobody wants to watch a sluggish game. Left unchecked, all that extra pushing and shoving raises the risk of injuries too.

Here's how lacrosse injury rates compare with other sports.

Legal vs illegal warding

Still not sure what counts as a ward? Here are a few scenarios to help you see where the line is.

How to avoid warding: legal techniques

So we know you can't hold off a defender with your hand or arm. Here are some legal ways to protect the ball without giving up possession.

So yes, you can keep a defender out of your space, just not by pushing them away with your hand or arm.

Here's how officials are trained to see it.

See it live Jeff Bambrick on YouTube

WALOA Training Video 1 Warding

Rules and regulations across leagues

Warding is called a little differently from league to league, so know your rules before you step on the field.

NCAA lacrosse

Under NCAA rules, it's a foul for the ball carrier to use a free hand or arm to hold, push or control a defender, and it usually results in a change of possession.

Extending the arm away from the body to create space is one of the key things officials look for when calling warding.

NFHS (high school) lacrosse

High school lacrosse follows the NFHS rules, which are similar to the NCAA's. Under Rule 6-11, a player with the ball can't use his free hand, arm or any other part of his body to hold, push or control the direction of an opponent or the opponent's stick.

He can protect his stick with his hand or arm when a defender checks it. That's why officials look closely at whether the arm comes up as a reaction to a legal check or as a deliberate push. A stiff arm or an arm extended to create space is a ward.

Men's vs women's lacrosse: warding rules

As I've covered in other articles, the women's game has its own rules, and warding is no exception.

Both the men's and women's games say no to warding, but the women's game relies even more on technique and control than physicality.

Read more: Is it harder to score in men's or women's lacrosse?

Gray areas in warding

Warding can be a gray area. A player can use their arm to protect the stick if it stays tucked in and inside their frame. Using a tucked elbow to absorb contact is fine, but the moment you extend it or actively push, the whistle comes out.

• Protecting your stick with a tucked arm = okay
• Actively pushing or steering the defender = penalty

Some advanced players subtly brace against contact with a tucked elbow to keep defenders off without crossing the line into a ward.

Can warding ever be legal?

Warding itself is always illegal, but how strictly it's called can depend on the level of play.

• Youth leagues: Usually a stricter interpretation.
• Higher levels: A little more leeway on incidental contact.

Either way, play clean and stay legal. Aggressive warding can lead to injuries, even with pads on.

Read more: Rules of lacrosse

Protect the stick, not the space. The second that arm extends, the whistle's coming.

Common mistakes to avoid

We've all been there. You panic, you push, and you do things you normally wouldn't. Here are the common mistakes to avoid:

1. Don't sneak in a push thinking the ref won't notice. Trust me, they will.
2. Don't drop your top hand off the stick to shove when the pressure comes. Keep your arm tight to your body.
3. Don't get overconfident and think you'll just create a little space real quick. You won't.

Also read: What is offside in lacrosse? and Is lacrosse hard?

Protect your arms the legal way

Coach's note: Every year, from upstate New York to Virginia Beach to Ontario, I've got a few young middies who get flagged for warding because they're scared of getting checked. The fix is two things: learn to protect the stick with your body and a tight arm, and wear arm pads you trust, so you're not flinching every time a pole comes at you.

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People also ask

So, what is a ward in lacrosse? It's that tempting but illegal move where you hold off a defender with your free hand, arm or body to gain an advantage. Remember: warding = turnover = lost opportunity.