How To Draw Football Plays: Your Guide

What is drawing football plays? Drawing football plays is the process of visually representing offensive and defensive strategies on paper or digitally, outlining player movements, formations, and the intended flow of action during a game. Can I learn to draw football plays without prior experience? Yes, absolutely! With a clear understanding of basic football concepts and a systematic approach, anyone can learn to draw effective football plays.

Creating a football playbook is a fundamental skill for coaches and players alike. It’s where the magic happens, where hours of practice and strategic thinking come to life on paper. Whether you’re a budding coach looking to develop your team’s game or a player wanting a deeper grasp of football strategy, learning how to draw football plays is an essential step. This guide will walk you through the process, from understanding basic principles to creating detailed play diagrams.

How To Draw Football Plays
Image Source: cdn.shopify.com

The Building Blocks of Football Plays

Before you can start sketching out intricate routes and blocking assignments, you need a solid foundation. This involves grasping the core elements that make up any football play.

Offensive Formations: Setting the Stage

Offensive formations dictate the initial alignment of offensive players. They are the first layer of strategy, influencing how a team attacks and how the defense must react. Different formations offer various advantages, from powerful running games to potent passing attacks.

Here are some common offensive formations:

I-Formation: Features a running back directly behind the quarterback and another back (fullback or H-back) behind the quarterback. This formation is known for its power running capabilities.
- Pros: Strong for inside runs, allows for play-action passes, good protection for the quarterback.
- Cons: Can be predictable, fewer receivers in traditional sets can limit passing options.
Pro-Style Formation: Typically involves two tight ends, two wide receivers, and one running back. This is a versatile formation offering a balance between run and pass.
- Pros: Good for both run and pass, allows for multiple blocking schemes, adaptable to different personnel.
- Cons: May require more complex route combinations to stretch the field.
Shotgun Formation: The quarterback lines up several yards behind the center, with one or more running backs usually positioned beside or behind the quarterback. This offers more time for the quarterback to throw and better vision of the field.
- Pros: Increased passing protection, better quarterback vision, allows for quick passes, versatile for runs.
- Cons: Can be more challenging for running the ball inside, can expose the quarterback to more pressure if protection breaks down.
Spread Formation: Employs three or more receivers, spreading the defense horizontally. This aims to create mismatches and open up the field.
- Pros: Stretches the defense, creates one-on-one matchups for receivers, can exploit defensive weaknesses.
- Cons: Can leave the running game vulnerable without proper support, requires athletic and versatile receivers.
Pistol Formation: A variation of the shotgun where the running back lines up directly behind the quarterback. This hybrid formation combines elements of both shotgun and traditional formations.
- Pros: Allows for run-pass options (RPOs) from a deeper alignment, can confuse defenses, provides good protection.
- Cons: Can be slightly less advantageous for deep passing than a true shotgun.

Defensive Schemes: Reacting and Countering

Just as offenses have formations, defenses have defensive schemes. These are the strategies and alignments used to stop the opponent’s offense. Different schemes are designed to counter specific offensive strengths or exploit perceived weaknesses.

Common defensive schemes include:

4-3 Defense: Features four defensive linemen and three linebackers. This is a balanced scheme, strong against both the run and the pass.
- Strengths: Versatile, good pass rush from defensive linemen, strong against the run with linebackers.
- Weaknesses: Can be vulnerable to spread offenses if linebackers can’t cover receivers.
3-4 Defense: Employs three defensive linemen and four linebackers. This scheme relies on its linebackers to generate pressure and cover receivers.
- Strengths: Excellent at disguising blitzes, can create matchup advantages with athletic linebackers, strong against passing.
- Weaknesses: Can be susceptible to strong inside running games if the defensive line is not stout.
Nickel Defense: Utilizes five defensive backs (typically two cornerbacks and three safeties) and two down linemen and two linebackers. This is primarily used in passing situations.
- Strengths: Increased pass coverage, effective against spread offenses and passing plays.
- Weaknesses: Can be vulnerable against the run due to fewer linebackers.
Dime Defense: Features six defensive backs, two down linemen, and two linebackers. This is an even more aggressive pass-defense formation.
- Strengths: Maximum pass coverage, ideal for defending against high-volume passing attacks.
- Weaknesses: Highly vulnerable to the run.

The Art of Drawing Football Plays

Drawing football plays is a visual language. It requires clarity, conciseness, and accuracy. Each symbol and line has meaning, communicating complex actions to players.

Essential Tools for Drawing Plays

You don’t need fancy software to start, but having the right tools makes the process smoother.

Paper: Graph paper is ideal for providing a grid to maintain spacing and proportions. Plain paper can work, but it’s harder to keep things neat.
Pencils: Use pencils with different lead hardness (e.g., HB for general lines, 2H for finer details) for better control. Erasers are crucial for corrections.
Rulers/Straightedges: Essential for drawing clean, straight lines for player movements and the field.
Football Playbook Software (Optional but Recommended): For serious coaches or those who want a more professional look and easier editing, football playbook software is a game-changer. These programs offer pre-made templates, icons, and tools specifically designed for play diagrams. Popular options include Hudl Technique, PlayMaker Pro, and Xcel Playbook.

Basic Symbols and Conventions

A standardized set of symbols makes play diagrams universally understandable.

Field: A basic representation of the football field, including yard lines, sidelines, and end zones.
Players:
- Offensive Linemen: Solid blocks.
- Quarterback: Circle with a “Q” inside.
- Running Back: Triangle with an “RB” inside.
- Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: Circles with “WR” or “TE” inside.
- Defensive Players: Different colors or shaded shapes can denote defensive positions (e.g., a shaded triangle for a linebacker, a circle for a defensive back).
Movement Lines:
- Solid Line: Indicates the starting position of a player.
- Dashed Line: Shows the intended path or trajectory of a player during the play.
- Arrowhead: Indicates the direction of movement.
Ball: A small circle, often with a dot, indicating where the ball starts or where it is thrown.
Blocking:
- Solid Arrow: Indicates a player is blocking a specific defender.
- “X”: Represents a missed block or a player being blocked.
Routes: Dashed lines with arrows showing the specific path a receiver runs.
Key/Legend: A crucial part of any playbook. It explains all the symbols used in the diagrams.

Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing a Football Play

Let’s walk through drawing a simple play, like a basic screen pass.

Step 1: Set Up Your Field

Draw a section of the football field. For a typical play, you’ll want to show at least 10-15 yards of the field, including the line of scrimmage. Mark the yard lines clearly.

Step 2: Choose Your Formation

Decide on your offensive formation. For our example, let’s use a Shotgun formation.

Place your offensive players:
- Center: Directly over the ball.
- Guards and Tackles: Next to the center, aligned with the line of scrimmage.
- Quarterback: A few yards behind the center.
- Running Back: To the side of the quarterback (e.g., offset right).
- Wide Receivers: Split wide on both sides, at least 5 yards from the tackles.

Step 3: Align the Defense (Optional but Recommended)

To make your play diagram effective, it’s helpful to show a likely defensive alignment. For a shotgun formation, a Nickel or 4-3 defense is common.

Align defensive linemen across from your offensive linemen.
Place linebackers behind the defensive line.
Position defensive backs to cover your receivers and potential areas of the field.

Step 4: Mark the Ball and Line of Scrimmage

Clearly indicate the ball’s position and the line of scrimmage.

Step 5: Draw the Action

This is where you detail what each player does.

Quarterback: Start with a circle for the QB. Draw a dashed line with an arrowhead showing them dropping back a few steps. Then, draw a short, sharp dashed line indicating the pass.
Offensive Line: Draw dashed lines showing them initially blocking down or to the side. Then, add specific blocking assignments (e.g., a solid arrow from the tackle to the defensive end he’s blocking). For a screen pass, the linemen might initially engage, then release to block downfield.
Running Back: Draw a dashed line showing them faking a block or going out to lead the screen block.
Receivers:
- Short Out Route: One receiver might run a short 5-yard out route, turning sharply towards the sideline (dashed line with arrowhead).
- Screen Receiver: The other receiver (or the running back) will run a short, shallow route into the open space created by the offensive line. Draw this with a dashed line and an arrowhead.

Step 6: Indicate the Pass

Draw a dashed line with an arrowhead from the quarterback’s hands to the receiver who is intended to catch the ball.

Step 7: Add Blocking Details

Refine the blocking. Use solid arrows to show who is blocking whom. If a lineman is pulling or releasing to block a defender downfield, show that with a dashed line and an arrowhead.

Step 8: Include a Key

At the bottom of your diagram, create a key that explains all the symbols you’ve used. This is vital for clarity, especially if others will be reading your football playbook.

Example Play Diagram: Shotgun Screen Pass to the Right

Player Designation	Initial Alignment	Movement	Blocking/Route Description
Offense
C	Center	Block down to the right.	Block the nose tackle or inside.
RG	Right Guard	Pull and lead block for screen receiver.	Block the defensive tackle or linebacker, then seal off the edge for the screen.
RT	Right Tackle	Initial block, then release to block downfield.	Block the defensive end, then move to block a linebacker or safety.
QB	Shotgun	Drop back 3 steps, pass.	Step up in the pocket and throw the screen pass to the intended receiver.
RB	Offset Right	Fake pass block, then go out to block screen.	Initially appear to block, then release to block a defender on the screen side.
WR1 (Left)	Split Left	Run a 5-yard out route.	Run towards the sideline, make a sharp cut and catch the ball if it’s thrown to him.
WR2 (Right)	Split Right	Run a shallow crossing route.	Run a quick, short crossing route to get in position to receive the screen and run.
Defense
DT1	DL (Left)	Engage Center.
DT2	DL (Right)	Engage Guard.
DE1	DL (Left)	Contain or rush.
DE2	DL (Right)	Rush, attack the Tackle.
LB1	Inside LB	Read run/pass, cover middle.
LB2	Outside LB/Edge	Mirror RB, potentially blitz or cover flats.
CB1	Left CB	Cover WR1.
CB2	Right CB	Cover WR2 initially, then pass to safety.
SS	Strong Safety	Support run, cover tight end or flat.
FS	Free Safety	Deep coverage.

Key for the Diagram:

Solid Block: Offensive Lineman
Circle with Q: Quarterback
Triangle with RB: Running Back
Circle with WR: Wide Receiver
Shaded Triangle: Linebacker
Shaded Circle: Defensive Back
Solid Arrow: Blocking Assignment
Dashed Line with Arrow: Player Movement/Path
Dashed Line with Arrowhead (from QB): Pass

Advanced Techniques and Considerations

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can add more detail and complexity to your play diagrams.

Showing Blocking Schemes

Clearly illustrating blocking schemes is crucial for the offensive line.

Zone Blocking: Use directional arrows to show the area each lineman is responsible for blocking.
Man Blocking: Draw solid arrows directly from the blocker to the defender being blocked.
Double Teams: Show two offensive players blocking one defender, often with lines from both players converging on the defender.

Indicating Defensive Pressures and Coverage

For defensive plays, you need to show how your defensive schemes are designed to stop the offense.

Blitzes: Use dotted lines with arrows indicating linebackers or defensive backs coming to pressure the quarterback.
Coverage: Show how defensive backs are aligned against receivers (e.g., man-to-man, zone coverage patterns like Cover 2 or Cover 3). Use shaded areas or numbers to represent zones.

Incorporating Reads and Options

Many modern plays involve quarterback reads or option routes for receivers.

QB Reads: Use arrows and notes to show what the quarterback is looking for. For example, an arrow pointing to a linebacker with a note: “If LB crashes, throw the flat.”
Receiver Reads: Similarly, notes can indicate receiver adjustments based on defensive positioning.

Creating Football Coaching Drills

Your play diagrams can also be the basis for football coaching drills. When you draw a play, think about how you can break it down into smaller, focused drills to teach specific techniques or assignments.

For example, a screen pass play can lead to:

Lineman Pulling Drill: Focuses on the footwork and technique of pulling guards.
Screen Blocking Drill: Teaches receivers and running backs how to block for the screen carrier.
QB Drop and Throw Drill: Works on the quarterback’s footwork and accuracy when throwing the screen.

Using Football Playbook Software

While hand-drawing is valuable for building fundamental knowledge, football playbook software offers significant advantages for creating professional, organized playbooks.

Efficiency: Quickly drag and drop players, set up formations, and draw routes with pre-made tools.
Clarity: Software often uses cleaner graphics and consistent styling, making diagrams easier to read.
Organization: Most software allows you to categorize plays by formation, type (run/pass), or personnel, creating a searchable database for your football playbook.
Sharing: Digital playbooks are easily shared with players and assistant coaches via email or cloud storage.
Animation: Some advanced software allows you to animate plays, showing the full motion of players.

When to use software:

Creating a comprehensive team playbook.
Designing complex offensive and defensive schemes.
Presenting plays professionally to players.
Collaborating with other coaches.

When hand-drawing is still best:

Quickly sketching ideas on the sideline.
Teaching fundamental concepts to young or new players.
Developing your personal feel for spacing and angles.

Bringing It All Together: The Football Playbook

Your football playbook is more than just a collection of drawings; it’s the embodiment of your team’s football strategy. It should be clear, organized, and easily digestible for every player.

Elements of a Complete Football Playbook

Introduction/Philosophy: A brief overview of the team’s approach to offense and defense.
Personnel Groupings: Definitions of different player combinations (e.g., “11 personnel” means 1 running back, 1 tight end, 3 wide receivers).
Formation Charts: Diagrams showing all the offensive formations the team uses.
Play Diagrams: Detailed drawings of each play, including formation, assignment, and objective.
Keys/Legends: Explanations of all symbols used.
Drill Sections: Diagrams and descriptions of football coaching drills.
Game Planning Notes: Space for specific game strategies and opponent analysis.

Reviewing and Refining Plays

Drawing a play is just the first step. You must continuously review and refine your plays based on practice performance and opponent tendencies.

Practice Observation: Watch your players execute the plays. Do they understand their assignments? Are there execution issues?
Game Film Analysis: Reviewing game film provides invaluable insight into how plays work against live defenses.
Opponent Scouting: Tailor your play-calling and play design based on the strengths and weaknesses of your upcoming opponents.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the most important things to include in a football play diagram?
A1: A play diagram should clearly show player alignment, player movement, blocking assignments, routes, the ball’s position, and a key for all symbols used.

Q2: How do I represent different types of blockers (e.g., pulling guard, seal block)?
A2: Use specific symbols and arrows. A pulling guard might have a dashed line indicating their path to the target, followed by a solid arrow showing the block. A seal block can be shown with an arrow directed to seal off a defender from a running lane.

Q3: What is the difference between drawing offensive plays and defensive plays?
A3: Offensive plays focus on player movements to gain yardage and score. Defensive plays focus on player alignment and assignments to stop the offense, disrupt plays, and create turnovers. The symbols and diagrams will reflect these different goals.

Q4: How many plays should a basic football playbook have?
A4: For youth or beginner teams, a playbook might start with 10-20 core offensive plays and a few basic defensive schemes. As a team progresses, the playbook can expand significantly.

Q5: Is it important to draw the defense on offensive play diagrams?
A5: Yes, it’s highly beneficial. Seeing a likely defensive look helps players visualize the play’s context and anticipate defensive actions, improving their execution.

Learning to draw football plays is an ongoing process. By focusing on clarity, accuracy, and a deep appreciation for football strategy, you can create effective play diagrams that will help your team succeed. Whether you’re sketching on a notepad or utilizing advanced football playbook software, the ability to visually communicate your game plan is a powerful asset.