The Playbook Caller · Built by MiaMetrix

Know your formation is legal before the snap.

The Playbook Caller is a football formation board and playbook that checks every alignment against the rule book you play under: NFHS, NCAA, NCAA with the Texas UIL exceptions, or NFL. When a player is out of place, it rings that player on the field and cites the rule.

14 days free · no card

  • 4 rule books
  • English & Español
  • Phone, tablet and desktop

Try the Rule Check

Illustration · tap a rule book
I Formation. Y is 1.5 yards off the line. 1 issue under NFHS: 5 in the backfield.

I Formation with the tight end (Y) set 1.5 yards off the line. Each verdict is the app's own rule check for that book.

How to use it

From rule book
to wristband.

Eight steps, each shown on a real screen from the app.

  1. The Playbook Caller on a tablet with NFHS rules picked in the top bar and the Rule Check bar open: LEGAL, with the five checks it ran on the I Formation, one of them marked unverified for NFHS.

    Pick your rule book

    Choose NFHS, NCAA, NCAA + Texas UIL or NFL in the top bar. Open the Rule Check bar to see what that book checks.

  2. The formation library open beside the field, with the Spread / Shotgun family expanded and Trips 3x1 selected and on the field.

    Choose or build a formation

    Open Formations to browse 137 sets by family, or press New formation and place your own players.

  3. The I Formation under NFHS with the tight end (Y) dragged off the line in the Editor. The Rule Check bar has turned red and reads 1 ISSUE · NFHS, 5 in the backfield, with the same label above the line.

    Drag a player, read the bar

    Turn on Editor and drag anyone. Move the tight end off the line and the bar turns red: 1 ISSUE, 5 in the backfield.

  4. The same move under NFL rules: 2 ISSUES. The open bar explains Only 6 on the line and Uncovered end, cites NFL 7-5-1(b) and 5-3-1 with a Source link, and the right tackle is ringed on the field.

    Fix the flagged player

    The player out of place is ringed. Open the bar for the rule and its source, then drag him back until it reads LEGAL.

  5. Draw mode on the I Formation: routes drawn from X, Z, Y and the tailback, with the notation buttons, the Ball to menu and Save as play under the field.

    Draw a play and save it

    Press Draw and sketch from each player: route, pass, block or motion. Play runs it; Save as play keeps it in your playbook.

  6. The Game day window on the Wristband tab: 14 of 14 saved plays numbered 1, 2, 3 for a 3-panel adult card, with Layout, Card size, Numbering and Copies menus and a Print wristband button.

    Print wristbands and call sheets

    Saved plays are numbered for a 1-, 2- or 3-panel wristband, or grouped by situation on a call sheet. Print it or save a PDF.

    Team plans and up · included in the trial
  7. The Team cheat sheets tab under the field, listing saved plays with their code, personnel and typical looks, and the Print sheet, Export CSV and Wristband & call sheet buttons.

    Share it with your staff

    Print the Team cheat sheet or export it as CSV. On Team plans, every coach you invite by email works from one shared library.

    Team: up to 6 coaches · larger staffs on request
  8. The board in Spanish under NCAA rules: Trips 3x1 with Z dropped off the line, a red bar reading 1 PROBLEMA · NCAA, Solo 6 en la línea, and an English button in the top bar.

    Work in English or Spanish

    Press Español in the top bar and the whole board switches, rule checks included. Each coach picks a language.

Step 1 of 8

Rule books

Four rule books.
One board.

Pick the book your games are played under. The check follows it: how many players are on the line, how many are in the backfield, who is on the ends, the interior linemen, and the kickoff alignment.

High school

NFHS

The high school book. At least 5 on the line, no more than 4 backs, and 5 interior linemen.

College

NCAA

At least 7 on the line and 5 interior linemen, plus the free-kick alignment rules.

Texas high school

NCAA + Texas UIL

Texas UIL plays the NCAA book with its own exceptions. The board applies both.

Pro

NFL

At least 7 on the line and an eligible receiver on each end, including the 2026 kickoff alignment.

A coaching aid, not an official ruling

The Rule Check tells you what the book says about your alignment. The officials on the field still make the call.

Where a check is not confirmed for a book, the app says so. Today one check is marked UNVERIFIED: players inbounds at the ball spot under NFHS. No public NFHS source confirms it, so the board applies the college rule and shows it as a caution.

The Playbook Caller is independent. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NFL, NCAA, NFHS or UIL. See every rule and its source.

Features

Built for the install,
not just the whiteboard.

The Rule Check bar

Always on the field: LEGAL or the number of issues, the out-of-place player ringed, and the rule one tap away.

137 formations, plus your plays

80 offensive and 57 defensive sets to start from, grouped by family. Draw routes and run the play at game speed.

Wristbands and call sheets

Print wristband cards and call sheets straight from your plays.

Team plans and up · included in the trial

One library for your staff

The account owner invites each coach by email, and the whole staff works from the same shared playbook.

Team: up to 6 coaches · larger staffs on request

Export and print

Copy a diagram as PNG, download SVG, print sheets, or export CSV and JSON.

English and Spanish

The whole app and every rule check read in English or Spanish, and each coach can switch at any time.

Who it's for

For the staff
that builds the playbook.

High school staffs · NFHS or UIL

Head coaches and coordinators

Put in your offseason install knowing every set is legal before Friday night.

  • Check trick and unbalanced sets against the NFHS book, or UIL in Texas
  • Print wristbands and call sheets for game day
  • Work in English or Spanish, coach by coach
College staffs · NCAA

Coordinators, quality control and analysts

Build the playbook under the NCAA book, with one library the whole staff shares.

  • Catch an uncovered end or a short line before an official does
  • Invite every coach on the staff by email
  • Export diagrams to your install decks and cut-ups

Every account is for an adult coach (18+). Players and parents do not get accounts.

Pricing

Simple plans.
Start free.

14 days free · no cardYou pay only when you choose a plan. Pay yearly and get 2 months free.

Personal

For one coach

$9.99/ month

or $99 a year (2 months free)

  • All 4 rule books and the Rule Check
  • 137 formations; draw and run plays
  • PNG, SVG, CSV and JSON export
  • English and Spanish
  • No wristbands or call sheets
Start free trial

Program & Unlimited

Up to 15 coaches, or unlimited

Let's talk

For staffs of more than 6 coaches.

  • Everything in Team
  • Seats for the whole staff
  • Ask us about purchase orders
Talk to us

Prices in US dollars. Taxes may be added where required. Cancel any time from Manage billing in the app.

School paying by purchase order or invoice? Email us before your trial ends and we will tell you what we can provide.

We are choosing a small group of founding programs: high school and college staffs who help shape The Playbook Caller. Email us to ask about founding-program pricing.

Ask about founding pricing
FAQ

Straight answers.

Is the rule check official?
No. It is a coaching aid: it reads your alignment against the book you pick and cites the rule. The officials on the field make the call. The Playbook Caller is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NFL, NCAA, NFHS or UIL.
What if a rule is not confirmed for my book?
The app says so. A check that no public source confirms for a given book is labelled UNVERIFIED, and the bar adds "(unverified)" when that check is the reason for a flag. Today that applies to one NFHS check: players inbounds at the ball spot.
Do I need a card for the trial?
No. You get 14 days free with no card. Choose a plan when you are ready; nothing is charged before then.
Can my whole staff use it?
Yes. Team covers up to 6 coaches, and larger staffs can talk to us about Program or Unlimited. The account owner invites each coach by email, and everyone works from one shared library.
Can players or parents have accounts?
Not today. Every account is for an adult coach (18+).
Can I get my work out of the app?
Yes. Copy a diagram as PNG, download it as SVG, print sheets, or export your library as CSV or JSON.
Does it work in Spanish?
Yes. The app, the rule checks and this page are all available in English and Spanish.
Social

Follow The Playbook Caller

  • @theplaybookcallerThe Playbook Caller on Instagram
    Follow
  • @tpc_footballThe Playbook Caller on X
    Follow
Feedback

Coaching with it?
Tell us what to fix.

What works, what does not, and what your staff needs next. Your message goes straight to our inbox.

How would you rate The Playbook Caller? (optional)

1 = poor · 5 = excellent

We use your details only to read and answer your feedback. Read our privacy notice.

* Required

Check your next install
before an official does.

14 days free · no card. Questions first? We answer every email ourselves.

Your program here? Tell us