Football coaching access tests in Spain: what they ask and how to prepare
The access tests for Sports Technician in Football (Level 1) in Spain have two parts: a fitness test with 5 exercises (50m sprint, 2,000m run, vertical jump, flexibility and medicine ball throw) and a technical circuit with a ball that must be completed in under 3 minutes with an average score of 5 or higher. You need secondary education (ESO) and be at least 16 years old.
What the access tests are and who needs them
The access tests are a mandatory requirement to enrol in the Sports Technician in Football diploma (academic pathway). They do not apply to the UEFA federation pathway, which has its own admission process managed by each regional federation.
To sit the tests you need three things: secondary education (ESO or equivalent — vocational training or a Grado Medio access test), be at least 16 years old, and be physically fit for sporting activity.
Test dates depend on each authorised centre (CENAFE, ACADEF, ANEF, regional centres) and are usually offered several times a year. Contact your preferred centre directly for dates, fees and costs and venue details.
Part 1: fitness tests — 5 exercises with minimum marks
The first part assesses general physical fitness. You do not need to be an elite athlete: the marks are designed to confirm you can follow the course. But if you have been inactive for a while, preparation is advisable.
The five exercises and their minimum marks are:
- Speed (50 metres): Under 8 seconds (men) or 8.5 seconds (women).
- Endurance (2,000 metres): Under 10 minutes (men) or 12 minutes (women).
- Vertical jump: At least 45 cm (men) or 35 cm (women).
- Flexibility (sit and reach): At least 30 cm (men) or 35 cm (women).
- Medicine ball throw: Over 6 metres (both).
You must pass all five tests. If you fail a single one, you do not proceed to the second part.
Part 2: technical circuit with the ball
The second part is a technical circuit on a football pitch that tests your ball control under time pressure. Each examiner scores the overall circuit from 1 to 10. To pass you need an average of 5 or higher and must complete the course in under 3 minutes.
The circuit includes these stations in order:
- Long pass: Deliver the ball to a marked zone at distance.
- Straight-line dribbling: Speed and control without losing the ball.
- Zigzag dribbling: Weave through 4 obstacles spaced 2 metres apart.
- Shot on goal: Strike from outside the box into a full-size goal.
- Aerial dribbling (dynamic skill): Carry the ball in the air to the edge of the box.
- Precision shot: Strike into a small goal (2×1 metres).
- Control and wall pass (1-2): Oriented control, pass to a partner, receive and change direction.
What scores highest is not speed but technical cleanliness: a controlled circuit in 2:30 is worth more than a rushed one in 1:50 with multiple loss-of-possession errors.
How to prepare for the fitness tests in 4-6 weeks
If you already exercise regularly, the marks are achievable with a few targeted sessions. If you have been inactive for months, allow at least 4-6 weeks of specific preparation.
- 50m sprint: Do 30-60 metre sprints, 6-8 reps with full recovery (2-3 minutes). Twice a week. The key is the start: practise your reaction and the explosive first 10 metres.
- 2,000m run: Run 3 times a week, alternating steady runs (20-30 min at comfortable pace) with 400m intervals at target pace (2 min per lap). You will see improvement within 4 weeks.
- Vertical jump: Work on squats, lunges and box jumps. 3 sets of 8-10 reps, twice a week. Vertical jump responds quickly to basic plyometrics.
- Flexibility: Static hamstring and posterior chain stretches, 15-20 minutes daily. This is the easiest test to improve and the one most people neglect.
- Medicine ball throw: Practise the technique: feet apart, knee bend, explosive throw coordinating trunk and arms. With a 3-5 kg ball, 3 sets of 5 throws.
Common mistakes in the technical circuit
The technical circuit is where most candidates struggle — not from lack of ability, but from nerves and poor time management. These are the mistakes that cost the most points:
- Starting too fast: Many candidates sprint from the first station and lose the ball in the zigzag. Start controlled and accelerate from the third station onwards.
- Neglecting the long pass: It is the first station and sets the first impression. A wild long pass will not eliminate you, but it lowers your starting score. Practise 20-25 metre passes with your instep.
- Losing the ball during aerial dribbling: If the ball hits the ground you can continue, but examiners penalise the loss of control. Practise keep-ups with both feet while moving, not standing still.
- Missing the precision shot: The small goal (2×1m) looks easy, but time pressure makes it tricky. Aim for the centre, not the corners.
- Failing to communicate during the wall pass: The control and pass with a partner requires verbal coordination. Call before you pass and orient your body towards where you will dribble next.
What happens if you fail
Failing does not close the door. Most centres hold tests several times a year, and you can sit as many rounds as you need. Each attempt requires paying the registration fee again.
If you fail the fitness part, you do not reach the technical circuit. The upside is that you will know exactly which test you failed and can focus your preparation on that specific mark for the next round.
If you fail the technical circuit, the examiners' feedback (when offered) is valuable. Ask which aspects were penalised most and work on those stations. You can also consider the UEFA federation pathway as an alternative: it has no physical access tests, although the admission process and training focus are different.
Either way, this is not a life-or-death race. Many active coaches needed two attempts to pass. What matters is starting the journey and not letting one result stop your decision.
About the author
Content created by RutaMister based on practical experience, editorial review and a training-focused approach for grassroots football coaches.
Frequently asked questions
How many times a year can I sit the access tests?
It depends on the centre. CENAFE, ACADEF and ANEF typically hold tests several times a year at different venues. There is no limit on attempts: you can sit as many rounds as you need, paying the registration fee each time. Check the calendar of your preferred centre for upcoming dates.
Are the fitness tests the same at every centre?
The tests and minimum marks are regulated by Spain's Royal Decree on Sports Education, so the structure is the same at every authorised centre in the country. However, there may be minor practical variations in how the technical circuit is organised depending on the specific centre and venue where the tests take place.
Do I need to bring a medicine ball or does the centre provide it?
The centre provides all necessary equipment: medicine ball, cones, small goals and footballs. You only need to bring appropriate sportswear, trainers or football boots depending on the surface, water and your identity document for the pre-test identification check before the session begins.
Can I access the course without secondary education if I have playing experience?
Playing experience does not replace the academic requirement. You need secondary education (ESO), an equivalent qualification, or to have passed the Grado Medio access test. This last option is available to anyone aged 17 or over and is offered annually by each autonomous community across Spain.
Are the minimum marks the same for men and women?
No, the marks are differentiated. Women have wider times for speed (8.5s vs 8s) and endurance (12 min vs 10 min), and a lower bar for vertical jump (35 cm vs 45 cm). For flexibility the requirement is higher (35 cm vs 30 cm). The medicine ball mark is the same: 6 metres for both.
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