flying wedge

American  

noun

1. a fast-moving group of law-enforcement officers in a compact, wedge-shaped formation that can infiltrate crowds or protect someone effectively.

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Example Sentences

Among other changes, they eliminated the flying wedge and allowed the forward pass, which made the game marginally safer.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 4, 2023

Mass momentum plays like the flying wedge were also common.

From Slate • Nov. 13, 2020

By 1894 the flying wedge, the most dangerous football play of its time because it allowed the offensive team a running start before it crossed the line of scrimmage, was banned.

From The Guardian • Dec. 27, 2012

The flying wedge, a blocking technique that is believed to have debuted in a Harvard-Yale game in 1892 but was banned soon after, is shown briefly in the opening seconds.

From New York Times • Jan. 30, 2012

Mindful of the famous "flying wedge" of waiters at Farrell's for the purpose of hustling objectionable and obstreperous customers with despatch to the sidewalk, I was prepared for anything.

From The Ear in the Wall by Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin)