Free · animated · works on your phone

Football tactics board

Drag players, draw runs and passes, and add steps that play as an animation. Describe it and the AI draws it. Present it at half time or send it to the team on WhatsApp.

✨ Describe it and I'll draw it

Photos of players aren't read or kept. Only drawings of tactics.

Steps each step animates into the next

What happens in step 1

Draw arrows for what happens next, then press "+ Next step": players move to where their arrows point.

TypePitchCoaching points

Ready-made boards

69 animated boards for 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11, each with who does what, what to do when the other team changes, common mistakes and drills to practise it. Open one, watch it play, then make it yours: change the formation, move players, add your own steps.

Playing out from the back

7v7 · 2-3-1 · With the ball

Playing out from the back

How to play out from the back at grassroots level: the goal-kick shape, making the pitch big, the third player, and what to do when they press. Animated at 7v7.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · With the ball

Inverted full-back

What an inverted full-back does: steps inside into midfield in possession to make a box, gives more passing angles and protects against the counter.

7v7 · 2-1-2-1 · With the ball

Playing out in a 2-1-2-1

Building from the back in a 7v7 2-1-2-1: centre-backs split, the holding player shows between them, and the two midfielders find the pockets. Animated board.

7v7 · 3-1-2 · With the ball

Playing out in a 3-1-2

Building from the back in a 7v7 3-1-2: the back three, the lone midfielder as the hinge, and two strikers who drop to make passing lanes. Animated board.

7v7 · 3-2-1 · With the ball

Playing out in a 3-2-1

How to build from the back in a 7v7 3-2-1: the back three spread, the midfield two stagger, and the spare defender carries it forward. Animated board.

9v9 · 2-4-2 · With the ball

Playing out in a 2-4-2

Building from the back in a 9v9 2-4-2: a central midfielder drops between the centre-backs to make three, the wide midfielders go high. Animated board.

9v9 · 3-2-3 · With the ball

Playing out in a 3-2-3

Building from the back in a 9v9 3-2-3: three against their two strikers, the midfield pair at different heights, and wingers holding the width.

9v9 · 3-3-2 · With the ball

Playing out in a 3-3-2

Building from the back in a 9v9 3-3-2 against a front three: the keeper as the spare player, the central midfielder as the hinge, then wide.

9v9 · 3-4-1 · With the ball

Playing out in a 3-4-1

Building from the back in a 9v9 3-4-1: back three against two strikers, wing-backs high, and a midfield pair that rotates to find space. Animated board.

11v11 · 3-4-3 · With the ball

Playing out in a 3-4-3

How a 3-4-3 plays out against a 4-4-2: back three against two strikers, the midfield pair, wing-backs, and wingers who come inside. Animated board.

11v11 · 3-5-2 · With the ball

Playing out in a 3-5-2

How a 3-5-2 plays out against a front three: the keeper as spare player, the holding midfielder, wing-backs and two strikers who drop and run. Animated board.

11v11 · 4-2-3-1 · With the ball

Playing out in a 4-2-3-1

How a 4-2-3-1 plays out: the double pivot staggers, one drops, the 10 finds the pocket and the full-backs push on. Animated board with roles and drills.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · With the ball

Playing out in a 4-3-3

How a 4-3-3 plays out against a 4-4-2 press: the holding midfielder drops between the centre-backs, full-backs push on, 8s find the pockets. Animated board.

11v11 · 4-4-2 · With the ball

Playing out in a 4-4-2

How a 4-4-2 builds from the back against a front three: a central midfielder drops in, the full-back pushes on, the wide midfielder tucks in.

Pressing

11v11 · 4-3-3 · Without the ball

High press

How to press high as a team: the trigger, the curved run, trapping them on the touchline, who covers, and what to do when they play around you.

7v7 · 2-1-2-1 · Without the ball

Pressing in a 2-1-2-1

How a 7v7 2-1-2-1 presses: the striker and two midfielders make a front three, and the holding player covers. Animated board with roles and drills.

7v7 · 2-3-1 · Without the ball

Pressing in a 2-3-1

How a 7v7 2-3-1 presses: the striker curves to show it wide, the wide midfielder jumps, the centre midfielder covers inside. With roles and drills.

7v7 · 3-1-2 · Without the ball

Pressing in a 3-1-2

How a 7v7 3-1-2 presses: two strikers on two centre-backs, the midfielder screening, and a wide defender jumping out. Animated board with roles and drills.

7v7 · 3-2-1 · Without the ball

Pressing in a 3-2-1

How a 7v7 3-2-1 presses: the striker and one midfielder press, the other midfielder covers, and a wide defender steps up. Animated board with roles and drills.

9v9 · 2-4-2 · Without the ball

Pressing in a 2-4-2

How a 9v9 2-4-2 presses: two strikers, wide midfielders jumping, and the central pair covering. Animated board with roles, mistakes and drills.

9v9 · 3-2-3 · Without the ball

Pressing in a 3-2-3

How a 9v9 3-2-3 presses: front three against their back three, the midfield two marking, and the back three stepping up. Animated board with roles and drills.

9v9 · 3-3-2 · Without the ball

Pressing in a 3-3-2

How a 9v9 3-3-2 presses a back three: two strikers press, a wide midfielder jumps to the third centre-back, and the middle shuffles. Animated board.

9v9 · 3-4-1 · Without the ball

Pressing in a 3-4-1

How a 9v9 3-4-1 presses: the striker and two central midfielders press, the wing-backs jump high. Animated board with roles, mistakes and drills.

11v11 · 3-4-3 · Without the ball

Pressing in a 3-4-3

How a 3-4-3 presses: front three against their back line, wing-backs jumping, the central pair stepping onto their midfield. Animated board.

11v11 · 3-5-2 · Without the ball

Pressing in a 3-5-2

How a 3-5-2 presses a back four: strikers on the centre-backs, wing-backs jumping onto their full-backs, midfield three marking. Animated board.

11v11 · 4-2-3-1 · Without the ball

Pressing in a 4-2-3-1

How a 4-2-3-1 presses: the 10 steps up beside the striker onto their 6, the wingers take the full-backs, the double pivot covers. Animated board.

11v11 · 4-4-2 · Without the ball

Pressing in a 4-4-2

How a 4-4-2 presses against a 4-3-3: strikers split their centre-backs and block the 6, the wide midfielder jumps, the back four pushes up. Animated board.

Set pieces

7v7 · 2-3-1 · Set piece

7v7 corner

A simple corner routine for 7v7: two spaces in the box, one on the edge, one back, and a short option. Built for young players who can't yet reach the far post.

9v9 · 3-2-3 · Set piece

Throw-in routine

Simple throw-in routines that keep possession: one checks short, one spins in behind, and the thrower steps back on to receive. No offside from a throw-in.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · Set piece

Attacking corner

A simple attacking corner routine: start deep, attack three spaces, flick on at the near post, keep players back. Roles, variations and drills.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · Set piece

Central free kick

Central free kicks around the box: the direct shot, a dummy run, and the short lay-off, with runners following in for rebounds. Animated board.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · Set piece

Wide free kick

How to attack a wide free kick: runners level with the last defender, delivery into the space between the defence and keeper, and late runs. Animated board.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · Set piece

Defending corners

How to defend corners: a mix of zonal and man-marking, attacking the ball, clearing high and wide, and pushing out together. With roles and drills.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · Set piece

Defending a free kick

How to defend a central free kick: who's in the wall and how many, where the keeper stands, who marks the runners, and following in on rebounds.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · Set piece

Defending a wide free kick

How to defend a wide free kick: a line held around the edge of the box, the keeper owning the six-yard box, markers goal-side, and stepping out together.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · Set piece

Kick-off routine

Simple kick-off routines: play back, switch long to a winger running in behind, or go direct to a target. Rules, roles and drills, animated.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · Set piece

Long throw

How to use a long throw-in: a target at the near post, runners for the flick-on, and players around the edge for the second ball. With roles and drills.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · Set piece

Penalty

Penalties for grassroots teams: a calm routine for the taker, where everyone else stands, and following in for the rebound. Rules and practice ideas.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · Set piece

Short corner

A short corner routine: two against one by the flag, a one-two to change the angle, then a cross into the box. When to use it and how to practise it.

Attacking ideas

7v7 · 2-3-1 · With the ball

Getting it wide

How to use the width of the pitch: pull the defence to one side, switch it quickly and attack the space with a 1v1 or 2v1. With roles, mistakes and drills.

7v7 · 2-3-1 · With the ball

Third-man run

An animated third-man run: A passes to B, B sets it first time to C, who was already running. When to use it, who does what and how to practise it.

9v9 · 3-3-2 · With the ball

Route one

Direct play on an animated board: the long ball to a target, the flick-on or knock-down, and the runners who win the second ball. When it works.

11v11 · 4-2-3-1 · With the ball

Between the lines

How to find and use the space between their midfield and defence: the number 10's position, the pass through the lines, and turning to attack.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · With the ball

Beating a low block

How to break down a team defending deep: quick switches, overloads out wide, cut-backs, shots from the edge, and patience. Animated board.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · With the ball

Cut-back

How to create and finish cut-backs: getting to the byline, runners at the near post, penalty spot and edge, and a pass back across the box. Animated board.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · With the ball

False nine

What a false nine is: a centre-forward who drops into midfield, pulling a centre-back out or getting free, while the wingers run in behind.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · With the ball

Half-spaces

What half-spaces are and how to use them: receiving between their wide and central midfielders, turning, and attacking the gap behind them.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · With the ball

Overload to isolate

How to overload one side to draw the defence across, then switch to your best one-against-one player on the other side. Animated board.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · With the ball

Underlap

How the underlap works: a midfielder or full-back runs inside the winger into the gap between full-back and centre-back. When to use it and how to practise it.

11v11 · 4-4-2 · With the ball

Overlap

How the overlap works: the wide player drives inside, the full-back runs round the outside, and the pass is released at the right moment. With roles and drills.

Defending ideas

9v9 · 3-2-3 · Without the ball

Pressure, cover, balance

The three defending roles: first defender presses, second covers behind, third balances across. Animated at 9v9 with roles, mistakes and drills.

9v9 · 3-3-2 · Without the ball

Low block

How to defend in a low block at grassroots level: two compact lines, sliding together, protecting the middle, and getting out when you win it. Animated board.

11v11 · 4-4-2 · Without the ball

Defending long balls

How to defend against a direct, long-ball team: attack the header, cover behind it, win the second ball, and press the passer. Animated board.

11v11 · 4-4-2 · Without the ball

Defending crosses

How to defend crosses: stop the cross at source, centre-backs on the near post and the middle, far-side full-back tucked in, midfielders on the cut-back.

11v11 · 4-4-2 · Without the ball

Holding the line

How a back four holds its line: drop when the passer has time, step up when the ball goes back or is under pressure, and move together. Animated board.

11v11 · 4-4-2 · Without the ball

Mid block

How to defend in a mid block: a compact 4-4-2 around halfway, the pressing trap when the ball goes wide, and how to win it and break. Animated board.

Transitions

9v9 · 3-2-3 · Winning it back

Gegenpress (counter-press)

What gegenpressing is and how to coach it: the first five seconds after losing the ball, who presses, who blocks, and when to drop instead.

11v11 · 4-2-3-1 · Winning it back

Counter-attack

How to counter-attack: win it, look forward first, sprint into three lanes and finish in a few passes. Animated in a 4-2-3-1 with roles, mistakes and drills.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · Winning it back

Rest defence

What rest defence is: the players who stay behind the ball when you attack, positioned to stop the counter. With roles, mistakes and drills.

Game management

11v11 · 4-4-2 · With the ball

Chasing a game

How to chase a game: adding an attacker, pushing full-backs on, filling the box for crosses, and keeping enough players back to avoid a counter.

11v11 · 4-4-2 · Without the ball

Protecting a lead

How to see out a game: switching to a compact 4-5-1, defending the box, keeping the ball in their half and using the corners. Animated board.

Legendary teams and managers

11v11 · 3-4-3 · With the ball

Conte's 3-4-3

How Antonio Conte's switch to a 3-4-3 turned Chelsea's 2016-17 season: three centre-backs, wing-backs, two inside forwards and a striker. Animated board.

11v11 · 4-1-4-1 · Without the ball

Man-marking with a spare man

How Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United defended: aggressive man-marking all over the pitch with one spare centre-back, then fast, vertical attacks.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · With the ball

Positional play and the false nine

How Pep Guardiola's Barcelona played: positional play in a 4-3-3, a free player in every line, Messi as a false nine, and winning the ball straight back.

11v11 · 4-3-3 · With the ball

Total Football rotation

What Total Football was: Rinus Michels' Ajax and the Netherlands of the early 1970s, with players swapping positions, pressing high and keeping the pitch small.

11v11 · 4-4-1 · Without the ball

Ten-man low block

How Jose Mourinho's Inter defended at the Camp Nou in the 2010 Champions League semi-final with ten men: two compact banks of four, nothing through the middle.

11v11 · 4-4-2 · With the ball

4-4-2 wing play

How Sir Alex Ferguson's 1998-99 Manchester United attacked: a 4-4-2 with Beckham crossing from the right, Giggs on the left and the Yorke-Cole partnership.

11v11 · 4-4-2 · Winning it back

Leicester's counter

How Claudio Ranieri's Leicester won the 2015-16 Premier League: a compact 4-4-2, winning the ball in midfield and fast, early passes for Jamie Vardy.

11v11 · 4-4-2 · Without the ball

Sacchi's 4-4-2 press

How Arrigo Sacchi's AC Milan of the late 1980s defended by attacking: a compact zonal 4-4-2, a high line, pressing together and the offside trap.

Formations, positions and every tactics board

Tactics board

Positions

Questions coaches ask

Is the tactics board free?

Yes. Drawing, animating, presenting and sharing are free with no download. Saving boards to your team and drawing with AI are free too once you sign up.

Does it work for 5v5, 7v7 and 9v9?

Yes. Start from any formation from 5-a-side to 11-a-side, or an empty pitch, and add or remove players as you like.

How do I show my team at half time?

Open the board and press Present. It fills the screen, plays each step with a caption, and you can tap through at your own pace.

Can I share it on WhatsApp?

Yes. Share a link that plays the animation in the browser, or make a short 9:16 video to send in the team chat or post as a status. Shared boards show shirt numbers or positions, never full names.

Can I turn a whiteboard drawing into a board?

Yes. Take a photo of your whiteboard or paper and the AI copies the players, arrows and steps onto the board for you to tidy up.