What Happens If the Ball Gets Stuck in Your Stick?

In men’s lacrosse, when the ball becomes stuck in the head of a player’s stick and cannot move freely, it’s officially called withholding the ball from play. This violation occurs whether the ball is jammed between the mesh and plastic or trapped too deeply in the pocket. Once a referee spots it, they immediately blow the whistle and award the ball to the opposing team, no matter if it was accidental. Withholding is enforced to keep the game fast, fair, and focused on passing, shooting, and continuous movement.