Drawing Play Diagrams

Overview

The Play Builder is Youth Coach Hub's visual tool for creating play diagrams. It provides a football field canvas where you can position players, draw routes, assign blocking schemes, and add pre-snap motion.

The Play Builder Interface

Field Canvas

The main area displays a football field with:

• Yard lines for reference
• Hash marks
• Line of scrimmage (LOS)
• Neutral zone indicator

Player Icons

Each player appears as a circle on the field:

• Offense - Positioned at or behind the LOS
• Defense - Positioned in front of the LOS
• Labels show position (QB, RB, WR, etc.)

Toolbar

Controls for building your play:

• Formation selector
• Play type (offense/defense)
• Route drawing tools
• Motion controls
• Save/cancel buttons

Positioning Players

Selecting a Formation

1. Choose a base formation from the dropdown
2. Players automatically position according to the formation
3. Fine-tune positions as needed

Moving Players

1. Click and drag any player
2. Release to set their new position
3. The diagram updates in real-time

Position Constraints

• Offensive players must be at or behind the LOS
• 7 players must be on the line of scrimmage
• Maximum 4 players in the backfield

The system validates formations and warns you of illegal alignments.

Drawing Routes

For Receivers and Backs

1. Select a player
2. Choose a route type from the assignment dropdown
3. The route appears on the diagram

Route Types

Common Pass Routes:

Custom Routes

For routes not in the preset list:

1. Select the player
2. Choose Draw Route
3. Click points on the field to create the path
4. Double-click to finish

Route Appearance

• Solid lines - Primary routes
• Dashed lines - Option routes or secondary reads
• Arrows - Show direction of movement

Blocking Assignments

Offensive Line

For each offensive lineman:

1. Select the player

2. Choose their block type:

   • Drive Block - Straight ahead
   • Down Block - Block inside
   • Pull - Pull and lead
   • Pass Protection - Pass set

3. Assign the target:

   • Specific defender (Nose, 3-tech, etc.)
   • Gap responsibility (A-gap, B-gap)
   • Linebacker (Mike, Will, Sam)

Block Indicators

Blocking assignments appear as:

• Arrows showing block direction
• Labels indicating the assignment
• Color coding for run vs. pass

Running Backs

For running plays, assign backs to:

• Lead Block - Block linebacker
• Kick Out - Block end man on LOS
• Ball Carrier - The runner
• Fake - Run a fake handoff

Pre-Snap Motion

Adding Motion

1. Select the player who will motion

2. Choose a motion type:

   • Jet - Fast motion across formation
   • Orbit - Motion around backfield
   • Across - Standard lateral motion
   • Return - Motion then reset
   • Shift - Formation shift (must set)

3. Set the motion endpoint

Motion Display

Motion appears as:

• Dotted line showing the path
• Arrow indicating direction
• Different color than routes

Motion Rules

The system validates motion:

• Only 1 player in motion at snap
• Motion player must be off LOS
• Cannot move toward LOS

Defensive Plays

Positioning Defenders

1. Select a defensive formation (4-3, 3-4, etc.)
2. Adjust player positions as needed
3. Assign coverage responsibilities

Coverage Assignments

For defensive backs and linebackers:

Gap Assignments

For defensive linemen and blitzing linebackers:

• A Gap - Between center and guard
• B Gap - Between guard and tackle
• C Gap - Between tackle and end
• D Gap - Outside tight end

Showing Coverage

Coverage zones display as:

• Shaded areas for zone coverage
• Lines connecting man coverage
• Arrows for blitz paths

Adding a Dummy Formation

Offense with Dummy Defense

When creating offensive plays, you can add a dummy defense:

1. Toggle Show Dummy Defense
2. Select a defensive look
3. Use for teaching coverage reads

Defense with Dummy Offense

When creating defensive plays, add a dummy offense:

1. Toggle Show Dummy Offense
2. Select an offensive formation
3. Shows what you're defending

Dummy Appearance

Dummy players appear:

• In a different color (lighter/grayed)
• Without route assignments
• For reference only

Validation Warnings

The Play Builder validates your diagrams:

Offensive Validation

• Line count - Must have 7 on LOS
• Backfield count - Maximum 4 players
• Offsides - No players beyond LOS
• Eligible receivers - End players on line

Defensive Validation

• Alignment - Check neutral zone
• Coverage assignments - All DBs assigned

Warning Display

Warnings appear as:

• Yellow banner with issue description
• Highlights on affected players
• Suggestions for fixes

Keyboard Shortcuts

Speed up your workflow:

Tips for Better Diagrams

Keep It Clean

• Don't overcrowd the field
• Use consistent route depths
• Align players neatly

Show Key Information

• Highlight primary receiver
• Show the ball carrier path
• Include blocking assignments

Use Color Effectively

• Primary routes stand out
• Secondary options are subtle
• Blocking is distinct from routes

Be Consistent

• Use same route types consistently
• Position formations the same way
• Follow your terminology

Troubleshooting

Players Won't Move

• Click directly on the player circle
• Drag to desired location
• Release to set position

Routes Not Appearing

• Make sure player is selected
• Choose a route type
• Check that assignment saved

Validation Errors

• Read the error message
• Adjust player positions
• Verify formation requirements

Diagram Looks Wrong

• Reset to base formation
• Rebuild step by step
• Check for overlapping players

Next Steps

• Get started with plays for the basics
• Manage your playbook as it grows
• Tag plays in game film to track effectiveness