How to Create Basketball Play Diagrams

From the Coach's Clipboard Basketball Playbook

I've been asked many times, "How do you create your play diagrams?"... so here it is. There are several basketball play diagramming software tools out there, at various prices.

Jes-soft Playbook

Many of the diagrammed plays that you see around the Internet have been created with this software, which has been around for a fairly long time. You get a free 30-day trial period, and then, if you like it, you register and buy it for about $30. There is a newer version available now with new enhancements. So first download and install the Jes-soft software on your computer... it will only take a few minutes to do so... click Jes-soft Basketball download.

Next, create your play(s) using the Jes-soft software, and save it. I use an older version of Jes-soft and with it, I export the play images as image files. Under the program's File --> Export, choose "Image" and you can save it as a jpg, png (recommended) or bmp file. Bmp files are usually too large. I am using mostly png files now as they require little disk space and retain image quality quite well.

You can also use the Export feature to create pdf files, which you can then upload to the Coach's Clipboard Member Files - Exchange section. Click Files --> Export --> Play and then click the "PDF" tab, and click OK. PDF files are ideal for combining text along with your images. PDF files are also very universal, read by almost every computer.

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Other Programs

These are all newer programs with newer technology. All look like good programs, although I personally have not used them (because I started out with Jes-Soft years ago and wanted to maintain consistancy).

• FastModel's FastDraw program - a highly-used favorite for drawing and animating.
• HoopsGeek Basketball Play Creator App - play drawing and animation.
• SlongeHoops - Draw it up and watch it run (animation).
• Coach Canvas App - handy play diagrammer.
• AthletePath's Basketball Play Designer - easy to use play diagrammer.

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Pen and Paper

If you are old-school and just like to draw plays quickly with pen and paper, use these printable court diagrams as your templates.