flying wedge
V-shaped offensive charge
A flying wedge is a V-shaped offensive formation, originally a mass momentum play in American football where players locked arms and charged forward to clear a path for the ball carrier.
The tactic proved so dangerous it was banned in the early 1900s.
The term now describes any group moving in wedge formation to push through crowds or opposition: Security formed a flying wedge to escort the celebrity through the mob.
Things that obstruct
- linemenFootball's front-row players
- kickoffOpening play in football
- punt returnAdvancing a caught kick
- special teamsKick and return squads
offense · tackle · snap · protection · gridiron · scrimmage · rushing · interference
Massed infantry formation
- arrowheadPiercing end of projectile
- veeTwenty-second letter's name
- deltaSymbol denoting variation
- echelonLevel within hierarchy
column · apex · point · flank · line · spearhead · triangle · chevron
Mounted military force
- infantryGround combat troops
- chargeCost or accusation
- assaultViolent offensive act
- advanceMove or progress forward
maneuver · battalion · tactics · engagement · breakthrough · penetration · offensive · siege
Occurring at the same time
- teamworkJoint effort toward shared aim
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- unityWholeness through cohesion
- cohesionTendency to bind together
momentum · thrust · orchestration · unison · timing · cooperation · discipline · alignment
Officers deployed for civil unrest
- crowd controlRegulating gathered masses
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
- marchRhythmic group walk
- picket lineProtesting workers' boundary
mob · surge · barrier · confrontation · civil unrest · rally · riot · stampede
blockers
Things that obstruct
- linemenFootball's front-row players
- kickoffOpening play in football
- punt returnAdvancing a caught kick
special teams · offense · tackle · snap · protection · gridiron · scrimmage · rushing · interference · momentum
phalanx
Massed infantry formation
echelon · column · apex · point · flank · line · spearhead · triangle · chevron · array
cavalry
Mounted military force
advance · maneuver · battalion · tactics · engagement · breakthrough · penetration · offensive · siege · skirmish
synchronized
Occurring at the same time
- teamworkJoint effort toward shared aim
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- unityWholeness through cohesion
cohesion · momentum · thrust · orchestration · unison · timing · cooperation · discipline · alignment · collective
riot police
Officers deployed for civil unrest
- crowd controlRegulating gathered masses
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
- marchRhythmic group walk
picket line · mob · surge · barrier · confrontation · civil unrest · rally · riot · stampede · blockade
flying wedgeskirmish line
Extended infantry formation
open order · spread formation · thin line · guerrilla tactics · single file
flying wedgedefensive line
Blockers facing the offense
shield wall · rearguard · phalanx · defensive perimeter · fortified position
flying wedgeretreat
Sanctuary or withdrawal
withdrawal · rout · falling back · dispersal · scattering
flying, flies, flew, flier, flyer, flight, wedge, wedges, wedged