Bounding / Leapfrogging

I'm going to assume that you all have played the game "Leapfrog" at some point in your life. You start out by one person getting "set" in a position then the person that is moving forward places their hands on the first persons back and 'leapfrogging" over. That person now gets in the "set" position and the first person repeats the steps of 'leapfrogging over. This simple motion repeats over and over until you have reached your goal.... If either person tries to move before the other is ready, the whole "leapfrog' fails! Much is the same in the movement called Bounding or Leapfrogging.


Bounding / Leapfrogging requires dividing the attacking element into two parts. This can be as little as two people total or as many as ten (it becomes difficult but not impossible with more). For this discussion we will call the elements "Alpha" and "Bravo". There are a number of things that have to work together for any bounding to be successful. 

1. What is the agreed on objective.
2. How are you going to communicate with each other. (Radio, Hand signals, Both?)
3. Bounding distances. 
4. Execution....

The Goal or Objective can be as simple as "the other side of the field" or as as challenging as moving your unit to a specific point at a specific time as a part of a co-originated attack. The simple command "COVER ME" doesn't work, if you have no idea what to cover the person from or what direction he is moving, - you need to have some degree of planning. 

Communication. You will need to agree on signals, radio communication or both. For existing units, the signals are most often preset and practiced but if
you are working with more than just your team, don't assume that everybody "knows" what you are doing, take a moment to make sure that you are all on the same page.

"I'm gonna get on my little soap box here for a moment... I have in the last year seen alot of alternate hand signal charts that have been circulating on the internet or on Facebook and here lies the rub... we need to realize that there are folks out there that don't always recognize what is supposed to be funny and what represents good solid non-verbal communication in the field. Take the time to learn to do it the right way! If you are not sure, ask a veteran or look in the Army Rangers Handbook. Don't make up something that looks "cool" or "works" for your team because there WILL be times that you will have to depend of those who are not on your team or unit."   

Bounding distances. This is another one of those areas where I say "practice, practice, practice!" Each bound needs to be looked at, there is no set "We will go 20' each time." If your objective is in a relative straight line with multiple areas of coverage in between you might be able to set a somewhat fixed distance for each leap. However if you are moving around curves on a trail or have to zigzag towards your objective, then the distances will become variable.  You will need to consider three things with each move, 

1. Will my movement allow me to be covered by my covering element?
2. Will my movement put me in a direct line of fire by my covering element? 
3. Will my new position allow me to cover properly for the next movement of the other element?

You don't want to ever be in the position in bounding where you have no one covering your six or where you will be useless to the rest of the team when it comes time for their move.
Finally Execution Alpha will redirect or suppress the enemy by firing upon the target while Bravo changes positions. When the signal is given, the teams switch roles. (Bravo redirects or suppresses while Alpha moves.) Before changing positions, the moving team will usually identify a location that advances them on the target, has adequate cover and line of sight to engage the target. Variations of this technique may employ more than two teams (with as few as one person) in the suppressing or moving roles. A variation may be chosen based on the size and equipment of the defending force, as well as the distance and frequency of available cover. 

****In situations where the defending force is unaware of the attacking force, it may be possible to hold fire and conduct part or all of the movement without being observed.****

Padre' out...