Annotations

Tokens and trails show where players are and where they move — but annotations tell the rest of the story. Use annotations to highlight zones, indicate throwing lanes, label concepts, and draw attention to the details that make your plays click.

UltiStackr provides four annotation types: arrows, text labels, circles, and rectangles. Each can be customized and optionally pinned to stay anchored in place.

Arrow Annotations

Arrows are the most versatile annotation type. Use them to show throwing lanes, indicate direction, highlight a specific cut, or point out where the force should be.

Creating an Arrow

1. Select the Arrow tool from the toolbar
2. Click on the field where the arrow should start
3. Drag to where the arrow should end
4. Release to place the arrow

Arrow Types

Just like trails, arrows come in three styles:

Line Arrow

A straight arrow from point A to point B. Best for:

• Indicating a direct throw (inside flick, flat huck)
• Pointing at a specific player or zone
• Showing force direction

Cut Arrow

A two-segment arrow with a control point in the middle, creating a sharp change of direction. Best for:

• Showing a jab-and-go cut
• Illustrating a direction change (in cut that becomes an under)
• Diagramming a handler’s around-the-back reset path

To adjust the cut point, drag the control point (the middle handle) after placing the arrow.

Curve Arrow

A quadratic Bezier curve that creates a smooth arc. Best for:

• Showing the flight path of a huck or hammer
• Illustrating a sweeping motion or flow
• Representing a curved run without a sharp change of direction

Drag the control point to adjust the curve’s shape and intensity.

Switching Arrow Types

After placing an arrow, you can change its type:

1. Select the arrow on the field
2. In the Properties Panel, choose between Line, Cut, or Curve
3. The arrow updates immediately, and you can adjust control points as needed

Text Labels

Text labels let you add written notes directly onto the field. They’re perfect for labeling concepts that aren’t obvious from the visual alone.

Creating a Text Label

1. Select the Text tool from the toolbar
2. Click on the field where you want the label
3. Type your text
4. Press Enter or click away to confirm

Customizing Text

In the Properties Panel, you can adjust:

• Font size — Make labels larger for important callouts or smaller for subtle notes
• Content — Edit the text at any time

Common Uses for Text Labels

• Play names or calls — Add “STACK LEFT” or “FLOOD” directly on the field
• Player responsibilities — Label a zone with “Deep deep” or “Short handler”
• Timing cues — “On stall 5” or “After second pass”
• Teaching notes — “This is the power position” or “Pivot here”

Circles

Circle annotations are great for highlighting areas of the field rather than specific points.

Creating a Circle

1. Select the Circle tool from the toolbar
2. Click and drag on the field to draw the circle
3. Release to place it

Common Uses for Circles

• Highlighting the open lane — Circle the space where a cutter should attack
• Marking zones — Show the area a zone defender is responsible for covering
• Indicating the hot spot — Circle the break-side space your handlers are trying to attack
• Endzone targets — Circle the area of the endzone where the play aims to score

Rectangles

Rectangles work similarly to circles but are better for marking areas with straight boundaries.

Creating a Rectangle

1. Select the Rectangle tool from the toolbar
2. Click and drag on the field to draw the rectangle
3. Release to place it

Common Uses for Rectangles

• Zone boundaries — Outline the area each defender covers in a zone
• Trap zones — Highlight the sideline area where you want to trap the disc
• Lane assignments — Mark the throwing lane your handler should target
• Field thirds — Divide the field into sections for positional reference

Pinning Annotations

By default, annotations are free-floating — they sit on the field at the coordinates where you placed them. Pinning an annotation makes it sticky, so it stays anchored to a specific token or position even when you navigate between steps.

How to Pin an Annotation

1. Select the annotation
2. In the Properties Panel, toggle Pin on
3. The annotation is now anchored

When to Use Pinning

• Labels on players — Pin a “Handler” text label to a player token so it follows them across steps
• Persistent zone markers — Pin a rectangle to show a zone that remains relevant throughout the play
• Arrows tied to movement — Pin an arrow’s start point to a player so the throwing lane updates as they move

Unpinning

To unpin an annotation, select it and toggle the Pin option off in the Properties Panel. The annotation will stay at its current position but will no longer track with a token.

Layering and Visibility

Annotations are drawn on top of the field and behind the player tokens, so they never obscure the primary elements of your play. If annotations overlap, you can:

• Reposition them by dragging
• Delete ones that are no longer needed
• Adjust their size to avoid collisions

Tips for Effective Annotations

1. Less is more — A play with 15 annotations is harder to read than one with 5 well-placed ones. Annotate the key insight, not every detail
2. Use arrows for intent — Show where the throw should go, not just where players are
3. Use different annotation types — Use arrows, circles, and text labels to distinguish offensive intent from defensive reads
4. Think about your audience — If this play is for experienced players, you might not need to label “stack.” If it’s for rookies, label everything
5. Combine with trails — Annotations complement trails. Trails show player movement; annotations show everything else (throws, zones, concepts)

What’s Next

• Trails & Movements — Visualize player paths with lines, cuts, and curves
• Playback Controls — Watch your annotated play animate step by step
• Sharing Playbooks — Get your plays in front of your team