tactical formation
Troops positioned strategically
A tactical formation is a specific arrangement of military units, players, or other elements designed to achieve strategic advantage.
Soldiers adopt formations for defense or attack; sports teams arrange players in formations to optimize offense or defense: The team shifted into a 4-3-3 formation.
The term implies deliberate positioning rather than random placement.
- phalanxMassed infantry formation
- flying wedgeTriangular charging formation
- flankSide of body
- flanking maneuverAttack from the side
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
battalion · wedge · battle line · front line · column · close ranks · skirmish · advance · hold the line · retreat · fall back · deployment · regiment · cavalry · infantry · shock troops · ambush · guerrilla warfare
- air patrolpatrol, combat air patrol, routine patrol, coastal patrol, night patrol
- SWATSWAT, entry team, ballistic shield, battering ram, flash grenade