Tim Vom Steeg: Attacking from Transition

with Tim Vom Steeg,
University of California, Santa Barbara Head Men's Soccer Coach,
2006 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer National Champions; 2004 NCAA Championship Runner-up;
2x NSCAA & 2x NCAA National 'Coach of the Year' Award (2004 & 2006);
4x Big West Conference Coach of the Year; all time winningest coach in Big West history;
California Community College Coaches Hall of Fame (2008 ); USSF National "B" Coaching License

Follow UC Santa Barbara men's coach, Tim Vom Steeg, as he leads his team in a training session designed to reinforce his program's central focus: attacking from transition. Maybe once or twice a game, small moments exist after your team has won the ball and the conditions are ideal to attack; wasting these opportunities can be the difference between winning and losing.

You'll see how Vom Steeg develops an attacking mentality in his players from the session's high-energy warm-up through its conclusion. Additionally, Vom Steeg teaches the skills necessary to make the most of goal-scoring opportunities before the opposing team has time to recover.

Recognizing an Attacking Situation

In transition offense, the first player IS the transition - their recognition of an attacking situation is what determines whether or not your team can attack with a numbers advantage. Coach Vom Steeg trains his players to see the field around them in his 3v1 to 5v3 warm-up so they know when to use their first touch to attack.

Developing an Attacking Mentality

It's vital for the player attacking with the ball and the wide players around them to understand their roles when attacking from transition. Vom Steeg does a fantastic job of explaining how the player with the ball must quickly decide whether to use their first touch to move forward or play a one-touch pass to avoid pressure. He stresses the importance of a quality first pass to release wide players to finish a goal-scoring opportunity.

For wide players, Vom Steeg focuses on timing runs so their movement is going forward on the first touch, and emphasizes finishing on a first or second touch. In a 3v2 to 2v1 transition drill, players get plenty of chances to practice all aspects of UCSB's transition offense.

Coach Vom Steeg's drills focus on creating ample opportunities for players to attack with numbers and finish with a shot. In his fast-paced 6v6+3 drill, two teams of six are split into groups of two attacking players and four defensive players, with each group positioned in front of the goals on a shortened field. In a middle zone, three additional attacking players wait to start an attack going in the opposite direction off a turnover or play from the goalkeeper. If you are looking for a drill that gives your players ample opportunities to attack in a realistic game situation, this is it!

Coach Vom Steeg runs an exciting, attacking brand of soccer at UC Santa Barbara that has made them incredibly successful on the field and entertaining to watch. This video demonstrates how he prepares his players to attack from transition, and it will give you and your players the edge you need to make the most of those goal-scoring opportunities!

71 minutes. 2019.