RutaMister Blog
Ideas, experiences and practical resources about grassroots football, coach education, methodology, team management and player development.
MethodologyHow to coach benjamines (U9): a model session
A practical guide to coaching 8- and 9-year-olds: a 60-75 minute session, a weekly plan, the technical core that fits this age and how to introduce first ideas of positioning without a formation.
MethodologyHow to coach prebenjamín players: session plan
A practical plan for coaching 6 and 7 year-olds in Spanish grassroots football: a 60-minute session with free play and a rotating goalkeeper, a weekly plan and the technical core that actually works at this age.
FantasyCoach of the Matchday 7: Martín Anselmi and Elche's 1-3 win at Espanyol
Martín Anselmi is Coach of the Matchday 7 in LaLiga 2026/27 after Elche's 1-3 win at Espanyol playing with ten men from the 5th minute, worth 3.3 points and a climb to 18th in the RutaMister standings.
First stepsSalary by UEFA licence: what a coach earns with UEFA C, B, A and Pro
A football coach's salary in Spain changes with the licence held, because each licence sets the highest tier where they can be the head coach on record. We break down the salary range, the competition ceiling and the course price for UEFA C, UEFA B, UEFA A and UEFA Pro.
MethodologyCoaching goalkeepers in grassroots football without a goalkeeper coach
A practical guide for grassroots coaches without a goalkeeper specialist on staff: what we suggest by age group, concrete tasks for each session block, and when it is worth bringing in a specialist.
FantasyCoach of the Matchday 6: Manuel Pellegrini and Real Betis's 1-0 win over Getafe
Manuel Pellegrini is Coach of the Matchday 6 in LaLiga 2026/27 after Real Betis's 1-0 win over Getafe at La Cartuja, worth 2.85 points, and leads the RutaMister standings.
FantasyCoach of the Matchday 5: José Alberto López and Racing de Santander's 2-1 win over Alavés
José Alberto López is Coach of the Matchday 5 in LaLiga 2026/27 after Racing de Santander's 2-1 win over Deportivo Alavés at El Sardinero, worth 3.38 points, the highest score of the round.
ManagementShould I Move My Child Up or Down an Age Group? How That Decision Gets Made in Grassroots Football
Moving a child up or down an age group is not a club paperwork formality: biological maturity, the relative age effect and a real risk of injury or dropout are all in play. What Spain's regional federation rules say, and what to weigh before deciding for one specific child.
FantasyCoach of the Matchday 4: Antonio Hidalgo and Deportivo's 2-3 win at Villarreal
Antonio Hidalgo is Coach of the Matchday 4 in LaLiga 2026/27 after RC Deportivo's 2-3 win at Villarreal CF, worth 4.2 points, the highest score of the round.
The coach's Sunday summary
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