# 4 Ways To Set Up Your Opponent

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2021/05/31/blog-4-ways-to-set-up-your-opponent/
- Published: 2021-05-31T10:45:00-04:00
- Author: Brian Johns

## How do you set up an opponent? There are several methods of setting up your opponent for a finishing shot. In the video below, I demonstrate four ways of setting up your opponent.

If you are not able to view this video, click [here](https://youtu.be/Yybz6oIwcX8).

In this video, I demonstrated how footwork can put [forward pressure](https://brianejohns.com/2024/08/19/video-of-the-week-19-forward-pressure/)
on your opponent or get off the line. You can also use footwork to create [space and time](https://brianejohns.com/2015/06/24/blog-how-filipino-martial-arts-influenced-albert-einstein/)
that puts you in a superior position. In the brief clip below, I coupled the [sweep stroke](https://brianejohns.com/2024/04/22/video-of-the-week-9-defending-against-the-sweep-stroke/)
with the concept of moving forward into Alex’s centerline. As a result, he has to
retreat. In addition, my advance could also momentarily displace his spinal alignment,
giving me an advantage.

The following way I like to play with an opponent, especially one faster than me,
is to [grab their cane](https://brianejohns.com//2016/07/11/blog-three-ways-to-grab-the-cane/).
Doing so allows me to change the pace on my terms rather than futilely trying to
match my opponent’s [speed](https://brianejohns.com/2012/09/23/blog-timing-speed-and-rhythm/).
Once I grab the cane, I can go for the [finishing shot](https://brianejohns.com/2024/04/08/video-of-the-week-7-modern-arnis-block-check-counter/).
The caveat is that once I [grab the cane](https://brianejohns.com/2015/07/14/blog-fix-it-friday-its-the-stick-buddy/),
I must act immediately, or my opponent will re-counter me. Grabbing the cane is 
essentially [stealing the lead](https://brianejohns.com/2016/07/19/blog-stealing-and-keeping-the-lead/).

A [well-placed strike](https://brianejohns.com/2015/03/10/blog-the-importance-of-the-5-poke-in-modern-arnis/)
is a nice way to tee up a finishing shot. Hehehehehe. A good example, as shown in
the clip below, is a leg shot. Once Alex reacts to the leg shot, I can move upstairs
to his head for the finishing shot. One need not be limited to cane strikes to set
your opponent up for a kill shot. One can also use the check hand to strike.

“Baiting” is a bit of a misnomer. As I explained in the video, I intend to hit Alex
when I’m baiting. In the clip below, I demonstrated a left vs. right same-side bait,
intending to hit Alex. But what if he blocks that punch? Aaaah! I’ve set him up!
Master Chuck Gauss, my instructor, has always told me, “_When in doubt, HIT!_“

## By the way, the scenery looks beautiful, eh?

This video was published in August 2019, several months before the pandemic. I CAN
NOT wait to start training with my students outdoors soon. Fortunately, the decline
in COVID-19 cases in Ontario should lead to the first step of re-opening the economy,
hopefully by mid-June. We shall see. Per last week’s post, personal training is 
permitted under Step One. Hence, my excitement at the prospect of live teaching!

## One step at a time!

## Additional Reading

 * [Bamboo Shoots](https://brianejohns.com/2010/01/04/blog-bamboo-shoots/)
 * [Three Ways To Grab The Cane](https://brianejohns.com/2016/07/11/blog-three-ways-to-grab-the-cane/)
 * [Stealing and Keeping The Lead](https://brianejohns.com/2016/07/19/blog-stealing-and-keeping-the-lead/)
 * [Goals of the Bamboo Shoots Program](https://brianejohns.com/2010/08/17/blog-goals-of-the-bamboo-shoots-program/)
 * [Toronto Area Machete Attack](https://brianejohns.com/2022/09/14/blog-brampton-machete-attack/)

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