Terrain-Based Movement Planning
This article covers how to use terrain features to move safely, stay concealed, and maintain tactical flexibility. It also introduces the Tactical Hold—a critical tool that allows a section to pause mid-movement, establish security, and give leaders time to reassess or issue new orders without unnecessary exposure.
Key Principles
- Use terrain to your advantage: Prefer routes that provide hard cover or concealment to reduce risk.
- Avoid exposing the section: Stay off skylines, roads, and open fields when stealth or security is a priority.
- Always plan with bounds: Break long movements into short bounds between natural cover or dead ground.
- Visual scanning is key: Read the terrain ahead to anticipate obstacles, danger zones, or flanking opportunities.
- Embed Tactical Holds into movement: Pausing with purpose is better than pushing into unknown or risky terrain.
Tactical Hold
A Tactical Hold is a planned or reactive halt ordered by the Section Lead or 2IC. Upon hearing the hold command, all members:
- Immediately stop movement and drop to a low profile.
- Spread out and establish 360° security, covering all approaches.
- Maintain strict noise and light discipline unless otherwise instructed.
- Wait in position while leadership reassesses the route, checks maps, listens to comms, or prepares new orders.
Tactical Holds are used:
- When terrain or threat conditions ahead are uncertain.
- To prepare for a complex bound or crossing.
- After contact, to reset the team’s posture before re-engaging or withdrawing.
- During navigation checks, lost comms, or when the section is spread too thin.
Tactical Holds are not breaks—they are an active security posture that buys leaders time without compromising the team.
Terrain Examples
Good Terrain to Use
| Terrain Feature | Tactical Benefit |
|---|---|
| Tree Lines | Conceal movement, break silhouette |
| Gullies / Ditches | Low-profile routes with cover from fire |
| Walls / Buildings | Hard cover and protection in urban areas |
| Terrain Folds | Natural dead ground; invisible to distant enemies |
| Vegetation | Concealment for stealth and observation |
| Elevation Changes | Observation points, but risk of silhouetting |
📸 Suggested Image: Labels over terrain types showing ideal use: berm = cover, ditch = concealment, etc.
Poor Terrain to Avoid
| Terrain Type | Why to Avoid |
|---|---|
| High Ground Ridges | Risk of silhouetting when crossing sky-lined areas |
| Open Fields | Long lines of sight expose you to enemy fire |
| Flat Roads | Predictable travel lanes, prone to ambush |
| Chokepoints | Bridges, gates, and narrow paths are easy to trap |
📸 Suggested Image: Diagram showing a bad path directly across an open field vs a smart flanking route through cover.
Application
-
Route Selection:
- Choose a path that minimizes exposure by following tree lines, ditches, or terrain folds.
- Avoid straight lines, predictable roads, and open ground unless absolutely necessary.
-
Bound Planning:
- Identify intermediate positions with cover to serve as breakpoints.
- Each bound should end at a defensible terrain feature where the team can hold if needed.
-
Execution:
- Move by bounds or overwatch depending on terrain and threat.
- If visibility or control is lost, the lead calls a Tactical Hold.
- While halted, maintain 360° security and use terrain features for cover.
-
Leadership Use:
- Tactical Holds are ideal moments for issuing new orders, managing fatigue, confirming bearings, or waiting for external assets (e.g., supporting fire or other elements).
Common Mistakes
- Moving across open terrain without scanning for safer options.
- Failing to rehearse or brief alternate routes before stepping off.
- Using roads or hilltops without considering silhouetting or ambush risk.
- Calling holds without enforcing proper dispersion or security posture.
- Treating Tactical Holds like rest stops instead of active security pauses.
Summary
Terrain-based movement keeps your section protected, unpredictable, and in control. Adding Tactical Holds to your playbook allows leaders to make informed decisions mid-movement without rushing into danger. Used together, terrain and timing turn every movement into a tactical advantage.