Distributor drive gear position at TDC

What's the easiest way to be sure I'm on the compression stroke? Thanks

Pull the # 1 spark plug, put your finger over the spark plug hole and have someone kick the motor over....if you are on the compression stroke it will blow your finger off the hole (that's where you need it). Then aim the slot toward the # 1 cylinder. Drop in your distributer with the rotor aimed at the #1 spark plug position. That should get you close enough to start it and put a timing gun on it.