Development of U16s players and teams
Season 2022. has already started a lot, where several teams will fight for points and placement. When we say several teams, we must point out that a lot of work and effort has been invested in working with the younger categories over the years. We must mention that players in the cadet competition cannot just show up and play good and organized rugby. The vast majority of players train for a long time and their progress is evident during the season. A lot has been invested in the development of players by both the Federation and the clubs, so we can only follow their development with excitement.
Young players must be athletes
The U16s have already reached the age when they have to take care of their body independently and under the supervision of a coach and plan their own time. If you want to do sports at a higher level, you have to take care of your physical fitness and strength. Let’s take an example from top sports, specifically from the NBA league, players come to the beginning of the preparations of each team physically maximally ready, in terms of fitness and strength, so they can dedicate themselves to training basketball and elements of basketball. While, for example, our players come unprepared for the beginning of the preparations, so they are tormented and harassed by running around Zlatibor. When the games start, the commentators talk about how difficult their legs are from the preparations, while for the players in the NBA league, they talk about how they dope.
Imagine the moment where all our players get a plan and program of physical activities that they have to fulfill in the pre-season, both related to running and related to training in the gym. At the beginning of the training process, coaches in all clubs can concentrate on rugby training. That would definitely be a higher level of playing sports than the current one, and it is not impossible. But, let’s move on to our list, which included the game and form shown at the first tournament of the Serbian U16s Cup.
TOP 5 players:
1. Milan Veskovic
Position: Flyhalf, fullback, wing
YOB: 2006.
Comparason: Melvyn Jaminet
We do not often have the opportunity to see a player of this type on Serbian fields. In the attack, he primarily used space, looked for holes in the opponent’s defense, and created two-on-one and three-on-two situations, which he solved with his teammates. In attack, he is just as dangerous in the breakthrough as in the collective game. High level decision making. His movement in the game without the ball is especially interesting, both in defense and attack. In defense, he retreated to the back and led the defensive line, perfectly defending the opponent’s shots. We are afraid to imagine what his game would look like if he went to the gym regularly and trained individually.
2. Matija Pelva
Position: wing
YOB: 2005.
Comparason: George North
The player with the greatest killer instinct in U16s competition. Aware of his strength and speed. When he gets the right ball and when he has space, he is unstoppable. In defense, impassable, excellent in contact, brave. If we look at the minutes, we will see that he scored the most tries, and that Rad received the fewest tries Mateja is definitely one of the leaders in an excellent team defense. He should work on better reading of the game as well as physical fitness. Exercising in the gym must be a must.
3. Nikola Begunić
Position: Lock
YOB: 2006.
Comparason: Grégory Alldritt
4. Dusan Jovanovic
Position: Prop
BOY: 2005.
Comparason: Joe Moody
As he read this, Chobi probably opened his mouth wide in astonishment. But we have no dilemma, Dušan is the embodiment of a modern and moving prop. The open game and the accompaniment in it adorn him the most. The deadliest weapon of modern rugby is when you have 4 moving, penetrating and strong prop in the team. Dusan is definitely the main item of those weapons. For all the props, training in the gym is a must, it definitely needs to be strengthened. Every prop that is pierced must have a flawless presentation of the ball, it is a rugby basis for every player, and especially for the props.
5. Ivan Salihovic
Position: Hooker
BOY: 2006.
Comparason: Keith Wood
Physical strength, excellent condition and courage is what adorns Ivan’s game the most. The position of the coupon is one of the most technically demanding in rugby, because the flow of the ball from the scrum and the car directly depends on it. Ivan is excellent in all static elements. Penetration of a player in an open game, with a low center of gravity and a strong upper torso, which makes him very deadly, a player who makes a difference on the field. The biggest drawback is the game without the ball and definitely discipline. If he worked harder on settings and games without the ball, he would definitely rise to a higher level. Modern coupons must be maximally disciplined, I can’t afford yellow and red cards, because a lot depends on them.
Players from 6-10 places who are expected to be at the top in the coming period.
6. Vojin Simonović, RK Rad, scrumhalf 2006 YOB.
7. Nemanja Milenković, RK Dinamo 1954, prop, 2005. YOB.
8. Andrej Matić, RK Rad, hooker, 2006. YOB.
9. Luka Cvejić, RK Borac Starčevo, prop 2006. YOB.
10. Filip Vidaković, RK Rad, center, 2006. YOB.
TOP 5 players who have not played so far:
1. Igor Gajić, RK Rad, flyhalf, 2006 YOB.
2. Dragan Kokanović, BRK Red Star, center, 2005. YOB.
3. Lazar Jelisavčić, BRK Red Star, lock 2006. YOB.
4. Andrija Janjic, RK Krusevac, prop, 2006. YOB.
5. Aleksa Pumpalović, BRK Red Star, lock, 2006. YOB.
