LaLiga Methodology courses outline the philosophy and methods used across LaLiga to train, develop and form some of the world’s top players. All the levels within the series – introductory, advanced, expert and immersion – include theory and practical sessions on and off the field. The final immersion level course includes a week in Spain working directly with LaLiga academies. 

LALIGA METHODOLOGY CURRICULUM

  • Understand structures of training sessions following principles of progression, cohesion and pertinence.
  • Understand the coach’s role in team management, setting different kinds of leadership models.
  • Apply a holistic perspective to performance factors: physical, technical, tactical and psychological.
  • During the workshops and sessions, develop different training sessions and exercises under the guidance of LaLiga experts.
  • Understand particularities of the initiation stages in terms of player development.
  • Know the prosed competition structures by LaLiga for different developmental stages.
  • Understand the principles of system and strategy training.
  • Know and understand different players’ needs and requirements per position and game model.
  • Individualize the training to specific players and to meet demands.
  • Set different exercises by lines and positions.
  • Apply different principles of the game model to training.
  • Understand different fundamentals and characteristics of the developmental stage and their application through LaLiga methodology.
  • Introduce the goalkeeper role and training fundamentals.
  • Understand different technologies applied to soccer from different perspectives and roles: coach, scouting, game analysis, etc.
  • Create short- and medium-term programming adapted to player characteristics.
  • Understanding game fundamentals
  • Whole-part-whole methodology
  • How to apply GPS technology
  • CORE and proprioception training
  • Sports psychology for coaches
  • Competitive micro-cycle structure in performance
  • Analyzing LaLiga teams’ systems and game models
  • Set pieces fundamentals and training progression
  • Training sessions by LaLiga soccer experts
  • Master classes by LaLiga clubs, managers and academy experts
  • Guest appearances by world-class LaLiga coaches and clinicians
  • Visits to LaLiga clubs and youth academies
  • Attendance at a LaLiga pro game and youth competition
  • Classroom session topics include:
    • How to create an effective game model
    • Examining physical and performance training aspects
    • Scouting and talent identification
    • Reviewing the Spanish youth soccer structure

LALIGA LEADERSHIP

Carlos Casal López

LaLiga Soccer Projects Coordinator

A UEFA Pro-certified coach with a Sport Science master’s degree specialized in Performance Analysis and Training Methodology. After several years of youth training experience, research and advisory in Spanish academies, Carlos joined LaLiga in 2015 to be part of their first soccer development program around the globe. His previous experience includes implementing coaching education, scouting and players development programs with federations, clubs and leagues from Brazil, South Korea, Belgium, Sweden, China and Africa, among others.

In 2019, Carlos became one LaLiga’s lead course experts/clinicians in the U.S. He has gained profound knowledge into the soccer system and players profile due to his interventions over various years into the country. His work as a lead expert in the U.S. is combined with his other tasks at LaLiga which include implementing different programs to continue developing domestic Spanish professional academies and his role as director in LaLiga master’s degree in soccer.

Saúl Vázquez Chas

Senior Specialist in Football Programs

Saúl is a UEFA Pro-certified Football and Futsal coach with a Master’s in Fitness Training in Football (RFEF) and a post-graduate qualification in Analysis of the Game and Analysis in Football. His Bachelor’s degree is in Physical Education and Sports Science.

He began his career in the RC Deportivo de la Coruña youth academy, where over eight seasons, he acted as a coach for different categories, as well as a scout and analyst. He also worked as the Technical Director and coordinator of the youth football academies and a coach with the senior teams. Saúl joined LaLiga’s Sport projects department in 2015, working as a coach in China and India for almost six years. He currently works as a senior coach specializing in sport projects, promoting and helping to expand football and the international projects developed by LaLiga.

Juan Florit Zapata

LaLiga Head of Sport Projects

Juan is a UEFA PRO coach with experience in different categories of Spanish grassroots football. He has a Bachelor of Science in Physical Activity and Sports, and an MBA in Sports Management, studies he combined with the practice of football as a player, having played in professional academy’s clubs such as Atlético de Madrid. Passionate about the world of sports and football, he has had the opportunity to live and experience this field from many sides: as a player, coach, technical director, and founder and manager of a sport services and advisory company. He has taken part in the LaLiga Sport Projects Department since December 2015, having played a big role in the international development of LaLiga, with projects carried out in all the five continents.

Nicolás García Hemme

VP of Strategy and Business Development of LaLiga North America

Nicolas works with LaLiga North America, a joint venture between Relevent Sports Group and LaLiga. Previously, Nicolás served as the Head of LaLiga Global Network – a multi-cultural international project composed of 50 people spread across 44 countries, the first endeavor of its kind at this scale in the sports industry. In this position, he was responsible for launching the project and selecting and developing all talent. Once established, he managed the team and its budget in order to develop opportunities and projects as well as spearhead actions to promote LaLiga abroad. Before starting with LaLiga, Nicolás was a high-performance athlete with the Spanish National Taekwondo Team, competing for Spain internationally for over 10 years. He was a silver medalist in the 2012 London Olympic Games. Nicolás holds a degree in Architecture from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and an Executive Master’s degree in Sports Management from Centro de Estudios Garrigues in Madrid.

CONTACT

For questions regarding LaLiga Methodology, please email playersfirst@usclubsoccer.org.