Drawing Fire

Drawing fire is a deliberate tactical maneuver where a player exposes themselves just enough to force opponents to shoot at them, shifting attention away from weaker or hidden teammates. This tactic is especially effective when a team needs to break a stalemate, open a wire, or enable a bunker run.

There are multiple methods to draw fire:

- Quick exposure flashes, encouraging opponents to commit shots. - Aggressive peeks, suggesting a pending push. - High-volume return fire, signaling active engagement. - Loud verbal cues that imply motion or intention.

When executed well, drawing fire disrupts the rhythm of opponents and forces them to track the decoy player rather than monitor others. This creates windows for teammates to fill key bunkers, close distance, or switch sides of the field.

Timing is crucial. If done too early, players may waste the opportunity. If done too late, a teammate may already be caught crossing a lane. Experienced teams coordinate these actions through subtle calls and pre-planned cues.

Because drawing fire inherently increases personal risk, the player performing it must understand their exposure profile, available cover, and the angles controlling their bunker. The goal is to attract attention without getting eliminated.

At the highest competitive levels, drawing fire becomes part of a larger communication and pressure strategy, where teams manipulate opponent focus to break structured defenses.