Establish a safe soldier zone

From the first wave until the first meaningful crash, recall, or river contest; reassess whenever Q or E changes the trade window.

Use the first waves to learn whether you can hold the center of lane with Sand Soldiers without losing health to the enemy's return trade. If the wave is favorable and your soldiers cover the enemy's last-hit path, take short trades, then crash before recalling or moving. If the enemy has push or stronger early reach, collect CS and preserve mana for the next wave; transition when a crash creates a visible roam, reset, or river window.

Lane

Trade through soldier coverage

If the first waves let you attack the enemy when they last-hit and your Sand Soldiers can cover the retreat, use short soldier trades and then release minion aggro. If the enemy wave is larger or your soldiers are misplaced, take the CS and preserve health instead of extending the exchange.

With Azir

• If Azir is on your team, give him time to establish Sand Soldiers before starting a fight. When he is holding mid priority, move with him through the river rather than asking him to face-check alone; his threat is strongest when the team arrives behind a prepared zone.
• If you are the jungler or support and want to engage, stand close enough to follow an ultimate displacement but do not force Azir to dash first. If his soldiers are already covering the choke, let the enemy walk into that space and layer your control after they commit.
• If Azir is behind, help him defend waves and entrances instead of demanding a risky flank. A protected Azir can clear, delay the enemy, and make the next objective harder to enter; your job is to keep divers away long enough for his soldiers to keep attacking.
• If Azir is ahead, convert his pushed wave into a structure or objective setup. Move with his first rotation, protect his return path, and stop chasing once the enemy has left his soldier zone; the lead matters when it becomes territory, not when it becomes another isolated kill.