There are quite a few "playbook" packages available today. This category of coaching software is extremely popular with coaches at all levels. "Playbook" software historically has included two distinct types of products - Play Drawing programs designed for optimum Print Output, and Animated Playbook programs designed for optimum Screen Output. Recently, a few publishers of Playbook Software products have attempted to incorporate both high quality print output and animation in one product.

CompuSports offers a number of playbook programs to enable us to meet a  broad range of budgets and requirements.  We find that the most satisfied purchasers of this type of software prioritize either printing or animation and choose accordingly.  

Software for Creating, Printing and Publishing Playbooks

Most playbook programs enable you to draw plays, formations and drills and then print individual play "sheets" that can be combined to create a playbook.  Playbook programs that are designed for Print Output resemble, in some ways, Paint, Draw and CAD (computer drafting) programs. Some  offer page layout, page organization and advanced printing features. 

Playbook drawing programs have drawing objects and capabilities that are specifically designed for coaches, along with libraries of symbols and lines that are common to the sport for which it is designed.  We recommend Playbook drawing programs where the quality of the printed output is of primary importance.

Software for creating "Animated" Playbooks

An "animated playbook" makes it possible to harness the power and capability of the computer to "teach" a sport by showing the movement of "player objects" on the screen.  There is a significant difference  in approach and capabilities between a Playbook program designed for animation, and a Play Drawing program that adds animation. 

With a program designed for animation, plays are created by simply selecting objects, showing their "path" and then adjusting the timing of the objects in motion.  Once a play is created, it can be "re-played" on a computer display or projected into a screen or wall. Players (objects ) or the "tracks" of those players move along the exact path, and at the exact speed as intended. 

If you're looking for a way to use computer technology to improve your ability to teach, an animated Playbook is worthy of your consideration.  Animation can be used in one-on-one and small group sessions, with an overhead projection device, by distributing animated plays to coaches and players for them to view and print on their own computers and often on a web site. Plays, drills, reactions, assignments or just about any aspect of a sport "come to life" with an Animated Playbook application.

Click one or more of the links to the right to learn about the products we offer in each category.