The canvas editor is a visual diagram tool built into every activity. Use it to draw professional drill diagrams on real playing surfaces -- then export them for handouts, presentations, or team group chats.
Selecting a playing surface
Use the Surface dropdown at the top of the canvas to choose a background. Surfaces are sport-specific: soccer pitches, hockey rinks, basketball courts, and more. You can also select a blank canvas or upload a custom surface image.
See Playing Surfaces for the full list of built-in options and how to create custom ones.
Toolbar overview
The toolbar runs along the left side of the canvas. Each tool is activated by clicking its icon or pressing its keyboard shortcut.
Selection tool
The default mode. Click any object to select it, then drag to reposition. Handles appear for resizing and rotating.
Player markers
Place individual player markers on the surface. Three types are available:
- Offense -- filled markers representing attacking players.
- Defense -- outlined markers representing defending players.
- Neutral -- a distinct style for goalkeepers, feeders, or uninvolved players.
Each marker displays a number or label that you can edit after placing it.
Shapes
Draw geometric shapes to represent zones, areas of play, or tactical regions:
- Rectangle -- use for grids, restricted zones, or playing areas within the larger surface.
- Circle -- use for shooting zones, gathering points, or positional areas.
- Zone -- a shaded region with adjustable opacity, useful for highlighting areas of the field.
Lines and arrows
Draw paths to show movement, passes, and runs:
- Solid arrow -- player movement or running paths.
- Dashed arrow -- passing lanes or ball movement.
- Curved line -- arcing runs or curved passes.
Click to set the start point, then click again to set the end point. For curved lines, drag the midpoint handle to adjust the arc.
Equipment
Place common training equipment on the surface:
- Cones -- colored markers for boundaries and gates.
- Barriers -- hurdles or agility obstacles.
Equipment objects can be duplicated quickly to lay out a full grid.
Text labels
Add text anywhere on the canvas to annotate the diagram. Use labels for player instructions, phase names, or distance measurements. Font size is adjustable.
Editing objects
Select, move, and resize
Click any object to select it. A bounding box appears with drag handles on the corners and edges. Drag the object itself to reposition it, or drag a handle to resize.
Rotate
With an object selected, use the rotation handle above the bounding box to rotate it to any angle. This is useful for angling arrows and aligning equipment with the surface.
Delete and copy
Press Delete or Backspace to remove the selected object. Use Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V (or Cmd+C / Cmd+V on Mac) to copy and paste objects. Pasted objects appear offset from the original so you can see them immediately.
Formation presets
Instead of placing every player marker by hand, apply a formation preset to drop a whole tactical shape -- a formation, set play, pressing structure, defensive shape, or special-teams unit -- onto the surface at once. A built-in library ships with the product, you can save your own, and the AI assistant can drop one for you on request. See Formation Presets for the full list and how to save your own.
Grid overlay
Toggle the grid overlay from the toolbar to display alignment guides across the surface. The grid helps you space cones evenly, align player markers, and keep your diagram clean and readable.
Exporting
PDF export
Click Export PDF to generate a print-ready document that includes the diagram, activity title, setup instructions, and coaching points. This is the fastest way to create a handout for practice.
PNG export
Click Export PNG to download the diagram as a standalone image. Use this for presentations, social media, or pasting into other documents.
Logo watermark
On the Pro and Club plans, your uploaded logo is placed as a watermark on exported diagrams. This is useful for branded handouts and social media posts. Upload your logo in Settings > Profile.
Pro: Your logo replaces the default watermark on exports — great for handouts parents and players actually keep. Upload it in Settings > Profile. Compare plans
Tip: start with AI
You do not have to build every diagram from scratch. Open the AI coaching panel, describe the drill you want, and the assistant will generate a complete diagram on your chosen surface. From there, fine-tune positions, adjust arrows, and add labels manually. This is often faster than starting with a blank canvas, especially for complex drills with many player movements.
See AI-Generated Drills for details on prompting the assistant.
See the full Drill Designer feature overview.