Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 18, 2006 3:09:53 GMT -5
This is all common sense but is rarely seen on an airsoft battlefield.
A well trained cohesive unit moves in an orchestrated and deliberate manner that is both efficient and tactically sound. The unit both large and small should know their order of movement (Who individually or which squad will lead, follow and trail) and actions at obstacles or danger areas before they move out. (how they'll cross roads how they form up at rally points etc.)
The well trained unit will assume formations as dictated by the element leader that make sense for the terrain and easily shift from one formation to another without a great deal of guidance from the element leader. (Move from a wedge to a line formation etc) A simple hand and arm signal should be enough. While moving each individual and element pays attention to the surrounding team members and adjacent or lead elements and adjusts their intervals according to the terrain and circumstances. Point men or point elements are critical obviously. They are intended to spot enemy activity or see potential challenging areas before they are entered informing the element leader (often by hand and arm signals) It's imperative that the point element or point man NEVER move out of sight of at least the second trail man or element.
Every unit while moving should have a designated individual or unit assigned to maintain rear security. It is amazing how often when you get behind a unit or allow it to pass how exposed they become with no one ever looking back!
When an element halts everyone should get donw and know their assigned area of responsibility. Before moving out the unit should insure that everyone and every elements moves out as well.
Rally points should if possible be preplanned. "Once we cross the creek and start up the other slope I plan to set up a rally point on the reverse slope right in this draw , take a count and do a short butterfly scouting patrol before we continue thru the valley" Often times enroute a well trained unit will designate rally points that can be easily located and if possible can be briefly defended. Often times they are designated by the patrol leader circling their hand over their head and pointing straight down with a designated number of fingers held up. (Everyone would then know that this particular location is rally point four) If they make contact with a superior force the patrol leader can shout out "Rally point four . Go Go Go!" Rally points should be established every couple hundred yards or even closer in thick terrain. Without a rally point a patrol leader upon contact might shout out 8 o clock 200 meters. The primary direction of movement is always 12 O clock.
Units know and have rehearsed simple tactical manuevers like Bounding overwatch, One member or element moves while the others visually cover likely enemy locations. In this case elements leap frog moving past where the other unit or individual stopped. Movement by bounds. One unit or individual within a squad moves while others cover with suppressive fire in this case they move up to or only slightly past the covering element or individual. Fire and manuever is when an enemy unit or individual can be addressed with suppressive fire by one or more supporting individuals or elements while another individual or unit makes a sweeping movement to a flank of the enemy. Once on the flank they provide the covering fire while the other element moves on the enemy.
When a well trained unit moves over an enemy position or objective it knows to do just that (Move beyond the objective or now elminated opponent.) It's amazing how often I see players stop right at the objective or downed enemy players. Even if your mission si to search for intel the first individual or unit should roll past allowing the trailing unit to conduct the assigned mission while the initial unit or individual provides cover.
Withdrawals are an art as well and will be covered in another thread. All of this sounds easy and intuitive but absolutely won't happen without discussion, planning and rehearsal while not under fire and a great deal of practice in a game. It's cool to see a unit that moves with grace and purpose or a group that clearly knows how to work together. it's fun for the team and intimidating for the opponent.
A well trained cohesive unit moves in an orchestrated and deliberate manner that is both efficient and tactically sound. The unit both large and small should know their order of movement (Who individually or which squad will lead, follow and trail) and actions at obstacles or danger areas before they move out. (how they'll cross roads how they form up at rally points etc.)
The well trained unit will assume formations as dictated by the element leader that make sense for the terrain and easily shift from one formation to another without a great deal of guidance from the element leader. (Move from a wedge to a line formation etc) A simple hand and arm signal should be enough. While moving each individual and element pays attention to the surrounding team members and adjacent or lead elements and adjusts their intervals according to the terrain and circumstances. Point men or point elements are critical obviously. They are intended to spot enemy activity or see potential challenging areas before they are entered informing the element leader (often by hand and arm signals) It's imperative that the point element or point man NEVER move out of sight of at least the second trail man or element.
Every unit while moving should have a designated individual or unit assigned to maintain rear security. It is amazing how often when you get behind a unit or allow it to pass how exposed they become with no one ever looking back!
When an element halts everyone should get donw and know their assigned area of responsibility. Before moving out the unit should insure that everyone and every elements moves out as well.
Rally points should if possible be preplanned. "Once we cross the creek and start up the other slope I plan to set up a rally point on the reverse slope right in this draw , take a count and do a short butterfly scouting patrol before we continue thru the valley" Often times enroute a well trained unit will designate rally points that can be easily located and if possible can be briefly defended. Often times they are designated by the patrol leader circling their hand over their head and pointing straight down with a designated number of fingers held up. (Everyone would then know that this particular location is rally point four) If they make contact with a superior force the patrol leader can shout out "Rally point four . Go Go Go!" Rally points should be established every couple hundred yards or even closer in thick terrain. Without a rally point a patrol leader upon contact might shout out 8 o clock 200 meters. The primary direction of movement is always 12 O clock.
Units know and have rehearsed simple tactical manuevers like Bounding overwatch, One member or element moves while the others visually cover likely enemy locations. In this case elements leap frog moving past where the other unit or individual stopped. Movement by bounds. One unit or individual within a squad moves while others cover with suppressive fire in this case they move up to or only slightly past the covering element or individual. Fire and manuever is when an enemy unit or individual can be addressed with suppressive fire by one or more supporting individuals or elements while another individual or unit makes a sweeping movement to a flank of the enemy. Once on the flank they provide the covering fire while the other element moves on the enemy.
When a well trained unit moves over an enemy position or objective it knows to do just that (Move beyond the objective or now elminated opponent.) It's amazing how often I see players stop right at the objective or downed enemy players. Even if your mission si to search for intel the first individual or unit should roll past allowing the trailing unit to conduct the assigned mission while the initial unit or individual provides cover.
Withdrawals are an art as well and will be covered in another thread. All of this sounds easy and intuitive but absolutely won't happen without discussion, planning and rehearsal while not under fire and a great deal of practice in a game. It's cool to see a unit that moves with grace and purpose or a group that clearly knows how to work together. it's fun for the team and intimidating for the opponent.