Cobras Lacrosse is a registered non-profit, 501(c)3 organization. We turn no child away for their inability to pay league fees. We are moving toward a nominal fee for participation with sponsorships, grants and donations as the main source of sustenance for the club. If you are interested in learning more please contact us!
Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.
Aristotle
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3v3, Fall Box, Field and more in store . . . 
3v3, Fall Box, Field and more in store . . .
Probably the longest and hottest summer in history is nearly over, kids are back to school and fall is only a few weeks away. We have the outdoor rink at ASC (Arizona Sports Complex) booked through December, and the fields at Thunderbird Paseo and Cactus HS are reserved with anticipation of opening in October.
Please see the highlights below of upcoming events starting with the 3v3 King of the Hill series starting next week!
Fall Summary
First Try FREE for NEW Players! Click here for more INFO!
Now through December!
3v3 King of the Hill
3 wks, Sept 7 – Sept 24
Montara Park
Team Zona Vegas
9 wks, Oct 17 – Dec 20
Competitive, Travel Box Lacrosse
Fall Box & Field Development Leagues
6 wks, Oct 17 – Nov 21
ASC, Thunderbird Paseo & Cactus HS
Wed nights at Thunderbird Paseo
Sat mornings at ASC
Turkey 3x Box Shootout
Nov 28 at ASC
Cobra Training Camp
2 wks, Dec 7 – Dec 19
Thunderbird Paseo & Cactus HS
Cobra Spring Competitive Lacrosse
Jan 4 – Mar 27 (Youth), May 1 (HS)
Thunderbird Paseo & Cactus HS
Fall Defined
First Try FREE for NEW Players!
The First Try FREE Program is a no obligation opportunity for friends, family and new people to come out to any practice, meet the coaches, grab a stick and join in at anytime. It is a one-time chance to observe, learn and play the fastest game on two feet!
Full registration. Only new players with no experience are eligible
We will set you up with coach and experienced players that will mentor and answer all your questions during a scheduled practice. Lacrosse sells itself so we KNOW you will like it and join one of our ongoing leagues but in the unlikely event lacrosse is not for you at least you can say you tried it!!!
Info and registration HERE
3v3 King of the Hill
Back to action skills, thrills and competition for returning players. Teams of 3-4 players contend for “King of the Hill” in a weekly double elimination tournament. No contact, no set goalies, no long poles, pass and SCORE!
Info and registration HERE
Team Zona Vegas
Established in 2015, Arizona Box Lacrosse (AZBOXLA) is sanctioned by the United States Box Lacrosse Association (USBOXLA) for training and competitive play. No tryouts but a coach’s recommendation, no fear, and a higher level of effort and desire is required to participate
Info and registration HERE
Fall Box & Field Development Leagues
Playing box lacrosse is fun and it adds skills that compliment field lacrosse players. All else being equal, a box player will outshine a field only player, on the field, every time. Back in 2005 we introduced box lacrosse to Arizona and 15 years later it remains an integral part of who we are. The Fall Box & Field Development Leagues incorporates both to build a better overall lacrosse player.
Play one or both – Your choice
Open to all players including instruction, drills and games on the field Wednesday nights and in the box game on Saturday mornings.
Info and registration HERE
Turkey 3x Box Shootout
The competitive finale for the fall league is included. No charge for fall players, open to all comers / outside players for a fee.
Info and registration COMING SOON
Cobra Training Camp
Intensive preparation for the upcoming spring season includes lacrosse specific skills, speed and conditioning before the holiday break
Info and registration COMING SOON
Cobra Spring Competitive Lacrosse
Teams formed for the Arizona Lacrosse Youth spring season from Kindergarten through HS with practices and league games played in Glendale, Anthem, Scottsdale, and Maricopa. All practices are at Cactus HS and or Thunderbird Paseo Park.
Info and registration COMING SOON
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First Try FREE
New Player Program
Never played but want to try lacrosse? Have a friend that plays, or heard about it in school, saw it on TV?
The First Try FREE Program is a no obligation opportunity to come out to any practice, meet the coaches, grab a stick and join in at anytime.
We will set you up with coach and experienced players that will mentor and answer all your questions. Lacrosse sells itself so we KNOW you will like it but in the unlikely event lacrosse is not for you at least you can say you tried it!!!
Just register here and we will see you on the field!!!
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Team Zona Vegas
Box is back and we are heading to Vegas Box Invitational Dec 18-20, 2020
Team Zona is looking for ballers either returning with competitive box experience or the desire and capacity to learn the indoor game.
Register HERE
Box is truly the fastest game on two feet; Played on a hockey rink with a 30 second shot clock, 5 runners, no D poles, using small nets and big goalies - picture a full contact basketball offense and defense with walls. Sanctioned by USBOXLA since 2015, we started box in AZ back in 2005 playing legit Canadian style box with cross checking, using the boards to your advantage, and much more that separates real box from field lacrosse.
Warning: Once you play box you may never want to go back to field . . . But if you do your skill set will be superior to field only players. Guaranteed.
No tryouts but you must have a coach’s recommendation to register, no exceptions. Solid stick skills are a must and players must initiate contact. “Finesse” is not in the box dictionary.
Grade 5/6 (Pee Wee)
Grade 7/8 (Bantam)
High School B. Grade 9/10 (Midget)
High School A. Grade 11/12 (HS Elite)
Box lacrosse development training and tournament competition
Practices are twice a week starting Oct 17 thru Dec 16. Tournament is Dec 18-20
Arizona Sports Complex and other facilities as required for practices
Longevity Sports Center and Las Vegas Roller Hockey Center for the tournament
The complete COVID-19 Action Plan, including the Pre-Screening Questionnaire is located HERE. Note this is a fluid document that will be revised as the situation evolves.
| Safe Return to Play Update 081320 
Safe Return to Play Update 081320
Registrations just hit 70 players for the Small Group Training and 3v3 King of the Hill Series, starting August 17thand Sept 7th respective.
In this environment the safety of our players and families are paramount. Know that before any player walks on the field each will fill out a daily pre-screening form and receive a temperature check. Coaches will wear masks at all times and players are required to wear masks when not actively participating in drills.
Small groups will be divided into even smaller squads to rotate together for training in stations. The 3v3 King of the Hill Series is a non-contact competition with emphasis on quick passing, shooting and stick-in-the-lane defense.
Both programs are FREE of charge!
Information and Registration for the Small Group Training and / or the 3v3 King of the Hill HERE
The complete COVID-19 Action Plan, including the Pre-Screening Questionnaire is located HERE
We are more than pleased that so many are ready for a safe return to play & look forward to seeing you all soon!!!!
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3v3 King of the Hill
We will hold double elimination 3v3 King of the Hill tournaments for 10u, 12u, 14u and HS nightly from Sept 7 thru Sept 24.
3v3 Lacrosse is a fast pace, high touch lacrosse experience that is an absolute blast to play. It increases the number of touches in a condensed period of time while increasing a player’s lacrosse IQ and decision-making.
All games will be played with strict adherence to CDC guidance AND our COVID-19 Action Plan
Players are encouraged to make their own teams or we will place free agents
No cost to join but registration is required
Click here for registration
Rules:
- Helmets and gloves
- No body or stick contact
- No goalie sticks or long poles
- No set goalie
- No face offs. GB starts the game, clears after each goal
- 3x goals using tennis balls
- 5-minute games. Tie goes to the last team that scored
- 3 players per team
- 3-team minimum for double elimination games
Who: Age Groups 10u, 12u, 14u, and HS
What: 3v3 King of the Hill
Where: Montara Park, 63rd & Peoria Ave (Off Becker Ln), Glendale 85304
When: 5pm-6:30pm
Monday - 10u, Sept 7, 14 & 21
Tuesday – 12u, Sept 8, 15 & 22
Wednesday – 14u, Sept 9, 16 & 23
Thursday – HS, Sept 10, 17 & 24
Cost: FREE
Registration: All players MUST register – No walk-ups.
| Sending off our seniors . . .
Matt Hartig
#17
5 year Viper / Cobra Field Lacrosse & Arizona Box Lacrosse Player
2018 & 2019 Arizona State HS All Star,
State Face Off and Ground Ball Champion
Jacob Knippel
#9
9 year Viper / Cobra, Field Lacrosse & Arizona Box Lacrosse Player
2014 JHS State Championship
2019 HS All Star
Grant Warren
#00
9 year Viper / Cobra, Field Lacrosse & Arizona Box Lacrosse Player
2014 JHS State Championship
2020 HS League Leader is Goals and Assists
Derek Baumgartner
#42
4 year Viper / Cobra Field Lacrosse & Arizona Box Lacrosse Player
2019-2020 Most Improved Player
2020 Leader on Defense
Austin Flowers
#16
2020 1st year Cobra Field Lacrosse & Arizona Box Lacrosse Player
Transfer from Mountain Ridge
2019 Season Ending ACL Surgery in 2019
Outstanding Defenseman for the Cobras in 2020.
| Small Group Training – Re-Intro to Lax 
Small Group Training – Re-Intro to Lax
Free of charge for all ages
Register HERE
Our plan is to resume mid August with small groups divided by age, preparing our athletes with conditioning, footwork, stick skills in a phased in approach before we can resume full team practices and games
Although this program is planned for returning players, anyone interested is encouraged to contact us!
Who: Age Groups 10u, 12u, 14u, and HS
What: Conditioning, footwork, stick work, shooting skills, and general lacrosse based fitness
Where: Montara Park, 63rd & Peoria Ave (Off Becker Ln), Glendale 85304
When: 5pm-6:30pm
Monday - 10u, Aug 17 & 24
Tuesday – 12u, Aug 18 & 25
Wednesday – 14u, Aug 19 & 26
Thursday – HS, Aug 20 & 27
Cost: FREE
Registration: All players MUST register – No walk-ups.
Link to COVID 19 Action Plan
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Winning vs Development?
Winning matters. But development matters more.
The score at the end of a game commonly determines a “winning” and “losing” team, but what does winning mean after all? Does winning mean having the better score in a U9 league game? Does winning mean a team that goes unbeaten in Division 1 in their U11 group?
I submit that “winning” is a long-term proposition. Too often we look for short-term gain and therefore miss the opportunity to reach the higher goal. In our case that means more time spent developing ALL players with a well thought out LTAD approach, ensuring that we have avenues for new players to learn, recreational players to enjoy this great game, and finally training and travel programs for those that wish to reach their highest potential.
Although “winning over development” survives to this day, the keepers of the flame are losing steam based on solid research. We know that by the age of 13, 70% of kids involved in organized sports drop out of the game. The main reason for this is kids aren’t “having fun anymore” and they’ve lost interest. By maintaining the short-term “win at all costs” mentality, many youth players are lost in the fight to win meaningless games. Far too often over my years I’ve heard comment that youth players have to “win” or they will be upset, or even depressed. This is simply not true.
In fact in a study conducted in 2014 by George Washington University found, when kids were asked why they participate in sports over 90 percent of children responded that they did so because it was fun. Fun, however, means a lot of different things for a lot of different people. The children were asked to describe what fun meant for them, and 81 different explanations arose throughout the study. 81 different explanations for what fun means, ranked in order of most important as a response.
Winning ended up 48th on the list.
The top fun factors were; Being a good sport, Trying hard, Positive coaching, Learning and improving, Game time support, Games, Practices, Team friendships, Mental bonuses, Team rituals, and Swag.
Trying your best is essentially the idea of giving 100%. It’s that winning mentality, and if we can continue to foster it, we are one step ahead of the game in helping to create “winners.” Kids generally forget about results soon after the game is over. The game is really won or lost, however, in the car ride home. As Project Play explains, kids often forget about the result ten minutes after a game is over, but are often reminded of it constantly in the car-ride home and at dinner that day.
Winning is important, but development is more important. Develop the winning mentality, see kids take ownership of their own technical development, understanding that one hour of practice a week is not enough, and watch the results come, eventually. Eventually is the key word here. Don’t expect this to happen over the course of a week, a season, maybe even a year. Development is not a straight line. Ups will come with downs, and development does not mean constant, unchecked progression.
So this is great but how do we develop skills in youth players and keep them playing sports?
I will summerize here, but encourage you to read the a complete solution, and our model, from The Aspen Institutes Project Play here;
The 8 Plays
Winning matters. But development matters more.
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