Youth System

Early Focus on Technical Skills

Spain places a strong emphasis on developing technical skills from a very young age:

Training sessions for youth players focus heavily on ball control, passing, and spatial awareness1
The priority is on technique, intelligence, and tactical understanding rather than physical attributes
Small-sided games are used extensively to enhance decision-making and increase touches on the ball

Integrated Academy System

There is a seamless integration between youth academies and professional clubs:

Many top Spanish clubs have B teams or reserve sides competing in lower divisions, providing a bridge to professional football.
Talented young players often have opportunities to train with senior teams.
This system creates a clear pathway from youth to professional levels.

Comprehensive Age Categories

Spain has a well-structured system of age categories:

Categories include Benjamín (8-9 years), Alevín (10-11 years), Infantil (12-13 years), Cadete (14-15 years), and Juvenil (16-18 years)
Each age group has its leagues and competitions, allowing for appropriate development at each stage.

Unique Competition Structure

The competition structure in Spain has some distinct features:

Youth teams play 7v7 up until U12, with 11v11 starting at U13.
Clubs, rather than individual teams, are promoted or relegated between divisions.
This system allows for continuity in development as players progress through age groups.

Unified System

Unlike some countries (such as the U.S.) with competing youth systems, Spain has a more unified approach:

All youth leagues fall under the federation, with no rival leagues.
This unified system promotes consistent development and allows for better competition between teams.

By focusing on technical skills from an early age, providing clear pathways to professional football, and maintaining a unified, culturally significant system, Spain’s grassroots football structure has proven highly effective in developing world-class talent.

Honor and Preferente Sub-Divisions

Within the Cadete category, the Honor and Preferente sub-divisions our true stand outs. The Honor Division represents the pinnacle of youth soccer in Spain, while the Preferente offers a platform for continued development.

Cadete Category

Honor and Preferente Sub-Divisions

Honor Division: Top-tier youth soccer in Spain
Preferente: Platform for continued development

Juvenil Category (16-18 years old)

Honor Juvenil Division (National)

Elite national youth league
Close to professional soccer experience
Promotion/relegation system: 1 promoted, 4 relegated

Liga Nacional Juvenil

Second tier of Spanish youth soccer
17 divisions, ~18 teams each

Liga Juvenil Preferente (Regional)

This is considered a springboard for talented players. It is organized by regional federations.

Provincial Leagues

This is truly considered the foundation of the youth system. It is known for encouraging local soccer development.

This structure provides a clear pathway for young players to progress through the ranks of Spanish youth soccer, from local to national levels.