This is a guide to making a dot book.

1. DOT BOOK 101
How to write the perfect dot book

2. What you need…
To make a dot book
you will need only a
few materials:
1 – Notecard Spiral
2 – Coordinate Sheet
3 – Pen or pencil
4 – Shoe string or
other cord
5 – Tape, Ziploc Bag,
or clear contact
paper

3. Before you get started
know that…
o Your dot book may not be complete
(pictures and notes) until we have
learned the drill on the field and/or
have drill charts
o It may be wise to use pencil early in
the season due to drill changes and
possibly new coordinate sheets

4. What you must include…
 Name
 Instrument
 Marching Show name and year
 Coordinate Sheet identification (i.e. C18)
 1 page for every move
 Music measures on every page
 Notes on holds, horn moves, dance
moves, and marching details (i.e. forward
slide right)
 Drawing or picture of formation

5. What the cover looks like…
Must have:
o Name
o Instrument
o Show name
o Year
o Drill I.D.

6. Next step…
Writing the pages in your dot book

7. Step 1
Write set number at the top of the index card and then copy set
location from coordinate sheet onto page.

8. Step 2
Write the number of counts in takes to arrive to that set.

9. Step 3
Write the corresponding measures for the move made when
arriving to this set.

10. Step 4
Describe the move you are making to arrive to this set. Use terms
such as hold, forward diagonal right, backwards slide left, etc.

11. Step 5
Write notes on your move. Include horns up/down, visuals (i.e.
plies), and other relevant information.

12. Step 6
Draw or print a picture of the “big picture”. In other words, draw
what shape is being made on the field and where you are in
relation to that shape and the field.

13. What your final product should
look like…
o Now repeat
steps 1-6 for
each set on your
coordinate
sheet.
oEach set much
have its own
page.
o I recommend
you use both
front and back of
notecards to
include more sets
(i.e. #1 in front,
#2 behind it)

14. Note
Each section should have a divider

15. Final Step
Put together a functional dot book that
will be available at all times when on
the field

16. Step 1
Use contact paper, tape, or a Ziploc bag to keep dot book water
resistant and to keep it in better conditions.

17. Step 2
Use shoe laces, string, or any form of cord to tie to your dot book in
order to have an easy way to carry it on the field.

18. Conclusion
o Go back and make sure that all the
parts included in this PowerPoint are in
your dot book.
o DO NOT throw away your coordinate
sheet simply because you have it
written down in your dot book. Save it in
case of emergencies.

19. If you still have questions…
o If you have trouble making your dot
book or simply have other questions on
how to make your dot book ask me by
e-mail, text, or phone call.
o Do not wait until the day before next
band camp to start. Get it done early
to leave room for questions and
mistakes.