Inside the Physical Training Model With Beñat Díaz de Mendívil
Physical preparation is a core component of player development within the Baskonia Alavés Academy structure. It supports performance, reduces injury risk, and helps players adapt to the physical demands of training and competition in a professional football environment.
At this time of the year, following the holiday and New Year break, physical conditioning becomes especially important. Players return after a short period away from regular training, and ensuring they regain optimal physical condition in a structured and controlled way is a priority. The Academy is no different in this regard, with a clear focus on helping athletes return to their best level safely and efficiently.
To explain how this work is structured, we spoke with Beñat Díaz de Mendívil, physical conditioning coach for the International Academy and part of the Deportivo Alavés youth structure.
“I work as the physical conditioning coach for the International Academy and also within the Deportivo Alavés youth teams.”
This dual role ensures that the physical standards applied in the Academy align directly with those used inside the club’s development pathway.
Strength Training as the Foundation
Strength training sessions are held twice per week in the gym facilities at the BAKH complex. The focus is on building a solid physical base that allows players to progress safely and consistently over time.
“Our goal is to create a strong foundation that allows proper progression, improves performance, and reduces injury risk as much as possible.”
Sessions are adapted to each player’s age, level, and physical background. The emphasis is placed on long-term development rather than short-term results.
The functional training space allows the staff to design varied sessions using professional-level equipment and methodologies.
Field-Based Physical Development
In addition to gym work, physical conditioning is integrated directly into on-field training. These sessions focus on improving basic physical qualities while preparing players for the tempo and intensity required within the Deportivo Alavés structure.
“On the field, we work to improve basic physical capacities and help players adapt to the rhythm and level demanded by the club.”
Physical work is combined with football-specific exercises, ensuring that conditioning directly supports match performance rather than existing as an isolated component.
Planning, Monitoring, and Individualization
Workload planning follows a structured weekly model, supported by RPE questionnaires that provide feedback on how players are feeling and responding to training loads. This information is especially important for international players who may arrive with different training histories.
“This allows us to adjust and plan the week more accurately.”
Individualization remains a key principle. Training loads and content are adjusted based on age, physical development, and the player’s specific context. The objective is to deliver quality work that fits the individual rather than applying identical demands to the entire group.
Supporting the Player Beyond Training
Beyond physical preparation, Beñat emphasizes the importance of daily support and player well-being. Creating a stable and comfortable environment allows players to train consistently and adapt more effectively to the demands placed on them.
“Supporting the players and making sure they feel comfortable is fundamental.”
This approach helps maintain continuity, confidence, and consistency throughout the season.
Teaching Players How to Train
A key part of the conditioning program is education. Players are taught how to manage their own training process, including understanding what to train, when to train, and how to recover properly.
“We teach players how to train, what they need to train, and when to do it.”
For Beñat, the most important outcome of this process is availability.
“Availability is the most important thing. Being able to train consistently is essential.”
A player who understands their body and training process is more likely to remain healthy, train regularly, and continue progressing within a professional football environment.
Through structured strength work, football-specific conditioning, individualized planning, and ongoing support, the physical training model aims to prepare players for the demands of professional football while maximizing availability and long-term development.
Interested in Experiencing This Training Environment?
The same physical preparation principles, conditioning methodology, and professional standards described in this article are applied during the International Football Summer Camp 2026 in Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Participants train under the guidance of official Deportivo Alavés coaches, following a structured program focused on performance, injury prevention, and adaptation to professional football demands.
Learn more and register for the International Summer Camp here:
https://www.baskoniaalavesacademy.com/international-summer-camp/