Stealing the lead is a term often discussed in tapi tapi. It means that one player has reversed the momentum of the other and is driving on the other. In other words, one player has gone from a defensive mode to being on the offensive in the blink of an eye.

In the simplest terms, if the opponent presents his/her stick, you can turn the table, usually by grabbing the other’s stick.

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The above video provides two examples of stealing the lead. The first example is the standard clear. See how Alex executes the standard clear at 0:38 of the video.

Notice how Alex uses his left hand to clear my stick away? He has stolen the lead and is now in the driver’s seat. Knowing when to take the offensive requires a fair bit of practice. The flow drill demonstrated in the video is one way I teach students to steal the lead.

The second example in the video involves the backhand clear at 0:50.

This time, I’m stealing the lead from Alex. Before I did so, Alex was in the driver’s seat. I must flip the script here and go from being on the defensive to driving on Alex. The backhand clear allows me to steal the lead.

Once you know where and when to steal the lead, you can work on the timing. If you can predict your opponent’s next move, you can time your steal to your advantage. Master Chuck Gauss provides an excellent example in the video below.

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Master Chuck makes it abundantly clear how following the stick or clearing Andy’s stick can result in devastating counters. Aside from the technicality of stealing the lead, do you understand the mentality involved? This skill requires a certain mindset. If you are in a “defensive” mindset, the chances of pulling off a steal will be minimal.

On the other hand, if you possess an aggressive mindset, like Master Chuck in the video, stealing the lead will become second nature. This concept requires practice, and you will acquire the mindset to turn the tables on your opponent with practice.

Along with the mindset of stealing the lead, this concept also involves sensitivity to your opponent’s movement and energy. Otherwise, how will you spot opportunities to steal the lead?

In conclusion, this concept is an essential Modern Arnis skill. It enables one to turn the tables on an opponent, leading to a potential finish. Without this essential defensive skill, one will have difficulty dealing with a skilled opponent.

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