staggered formation
Alternating position pattern
A staggered formation is an arrangement where elements are offset rather than aligned in straight rows—each position slightly ahead or behind its neighbor.
Military units, aircraft, and vehicles use staggered formations to improve visibility, reduce vulnerability, or maintain spacing: The jets flew in staggered formation.
The pattern appears anywhere orderly offset matters: Plant the seedlings in staggered formation so each gets adequate light.
- echelonLevel within hierarchy
- offsetCompensate by opposing force
- zigzagAngled back-and-forth path
- diagonalSlanting line or path
- chevronV-shaped line or symbol
military · ranks · tactical · flanking · skirmish line · defensive line · spacing · interval · asymmetric · wedge · column · deployment · troop movement · marching · scattered · alternating · stepped · tiered
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