First match quick-start

1. Build or import the two teams

Open Libraries → Team Library. Use Import team pack if you already have a pack, or Create New Team Pack to build one manually. Add team name, manager, default formation, club/international mode, and card colours. The player-card design uses the circular squad-number badge.

Add every player you need. Club packs support league/cup goals, assists and yellow cards; international packs use caps/goals and can show the player's current club code. Save the pack, then repeat for the opposition.

2. Optional: set your regular team as the default

In Team Library, press Set as default on the club you cover most often. Its cards populate the tray whenever COMM-PANION opens. Only one team can be default. Use Clear default to return to a blank launch tray.

3. Prepare player notes

Tap a player card. Use My Notes for biography, pronunciation reminders, anecdotes and talking points. Player Info can hold deeper reference information such as DOB, height, preferred foot, birthplace, previous clubs and source/checking details.

4. Create the match

Press New Match. Choose home and away teams, formations, date, competition, venue and referee, then create the fixture. The match is added to Match Library and the tray switches to Match teams so unrelated clubs do not clutter the card tray.

5. Build the line-ups

Drag cards from the tray onto formation slots, freely onto the pitch, or into substitute boxes. Formation-docked players follow the formation if it changes later. On iPad, swipe horizontally across the card tray to move through a large squad.

6. Add substitutes and emergency players

Drag substitutes into their boxes. The circular number badge is part of the card artwork. If someone is missing, use Libraries → + Player to add a match-only player without changing the permanent Team Library pack.

7. Record boot colours

Open a player's profile and use the boot-colour controls at the bottom of My Notes. The marker is match-specific and can help identify players quickly from the commentary position.

8. Save before kick-off

Press Save Match. The saved fixture preserves tactical layout, substitutes, formations, boot colours, live incidents and other match state.

9. Run the live clock

Press Start at kick-off. Pause when needed. Tap the clock to correct it manually with entries such as 23:15 or 45+2. Use 2nd half to begin from 45:00. Resetting the clock does not erase Match Log.

10. Log incidents

Tap an event button, then tap the relevant player: Goal, Yellow, Red, No Goal VAR, Missed Pen, Own Goal. Goals and own goals update the score, player markers update, and Match Log timestamps the incident.

11. Make substitutions naturally

While the clock is running, drag the incoming substitute directly onto the outgoing player. Same-team replacement stacks are logged automatically as substitutions at the current match time.

12. Change shape during the match

Use the formation selector above either team's substitutes. Formation-docked players travel with the formation and can then be manually repositioned for more exact tactical illustration.

13. Use Match Log and Undo/Redo

Match Log records time, incident, team and player/detail. Events can be edited or deleted and running scores recalculate. Undo/Redo covers tactical actions including player movement, docking, substitutions and formation changes.

14. Save, reopen and export

At full time, pause the clock, check the log and save. Match Library supports opening, editing, duplicating, exporting and deleting fixtures. Team Library supports showing cards, default-team choice, editing, exporting and deletion.

15. Back up what matters

iPad tips

Landscape is the main tactical working view. Vertical page movement uses native Safari scrolling at normal zoom. Pinch zoom remains available; custom one-finger board panning takes over once the board is zoomed. Portrait reorganises the pitches and substitutes vertically.