"The principal never feels the threat. That means you did your job."
Foot Movement Formations
Instructor Sele: How you move with a principal in public tells an experienced threat everything about your capability. Good formations are invisible to the public but impenetrable to a threat. Learn them, practise them, and use the right one for the right environment.
Section 1 — Why Formations Matter
A foot movement formation is a structured arrangement of CPOs around the principal designed to maximise protection while minimising profile. The correct formation depends on the number of CPOs available, the threat level, the environment (open street, crowded market, narrow corridor, building lobby), and the principal's own movement speed and preferences.
Section 2 — The Diamond Formation
Used for open, high-threat environments requiring 360-degree coverage.
Front CPO: eyes forward, clears the path. Left and right CPOs: cover lateral approaches, maintain equidistance. Rear CPO (usually the TL): eyes rearward, monitors for following threats, co-ordinates team.
The diamond provides full coverage in all directions. It is the most resource-intensive formation, requiring a minimum of 4 CPOs.
[Front CPO]
[Left CPO] [PRINCIPAL] [Right CPO]
[Rear CPO / TL]Section 3 — The Wedge Formation
Used for crowd penetration and forward movement through congested areas.
The front CPO leads, using their body and presence to create a path through the crowd. Left and right CPOs prevent lateral approaches. The principal is shielded from the front and sides. Used when moving through a market, event crowd, or busy lobby.
[Left CPO] [Front CPO] [Right CPO]
[PRINCIPAL]
[Rear CPO]Section 4 — The Box Formation
Used for medium-threat environments with 4 CPOs.
The four CPOs form a box around the principal, maintaining consistent coverage from all angles. More compact than the diamond — used in urban environments where the full diamond spread is impractical.
[Front-Left CPO] [Front-Right CPO]
[PRINCIPAL]
[Rear-Left CPO] [Rear-Right CPO]Section 5 — The Two-Person (Close) Formation
Used for low-threat environments, or when only 2 CPOs are available.
CPO 2 (the PEO) stays closest to the principal and executes the IAD on contact. CPO 1 clears the path. This formation provides minimal coverage but maintains the principal's safety in a low-profile manner.
[CPO 1 — leading, 1–2 paces ahead] [PRINCIPAL] [CPO 2 — trailing, within arm's reach]
Section 6 — Action on Contact in Foot Formations
If contact is made with a threat during any foot movement: Cover — the PEO places their body between the principal and the threat, shielding them physically. Communicate — the TL declares "CONTACT" on the radio; other CPOs take their assigned positions. Move — the principal is moved at speed to the vehicle or nearest hard cover. This is non-negotiable. The principal moves — they do not observe.
- •Formation selection depends on threat level, team size, and environment
- •Diamond: 360-degree coverage, highest protection, requires 4 CPOs
- •Wedge: crowd penetration and forward movement
- •Box: balanced urban coverage with 4 CPOs
- •On contact: Cover → Communicate → Move — always in that order
"I've watched trainees practise formations beautifully on the training ground and then fall apart in a real Monrovia street — pedestrians, motorcycles, street sellers. The formation collapses because they're reacting to the crowd instead of maintaining their position. Your formation is your discipline. The environment tests it. Train in real environments, not just empty car parks."
The diamond formation in foot movement is best used when: