ADP 3-90, page 45

The Offense 31 July 2019 ADP 3-90 3-5 passing unit in the supporting range of the forward combat elements of the stationary unit until the passage of lines is complete. The area between the battle handover line and the stationary force belongs to the stationary force commander. The stationary force commander may employ security forces, obstacles, and fires in the area. DIRECTION OF ATTACK 3-26. The direction of attack is a specific direction or assigned route a force uses and does not deviate from when attacking. It is a restrictive control measure. A commander’s use of a direction of attack maximizes control over a subordinate unit’s movement, and it is often used during night attacks, infiltrations, and when attacking through obscurants. Unit commanders establish a direction of attack through a variety of means, such as target reference points and checkpoints. When using a direction of attack, unit commanders designate a point of departure. (See paragraph 3-33 for a discussion of the point of departure.) FINAL COORDINATION LINE 3-27. The final coordination line is a phase line close to the enemy position used to coordinate the lifting or shifting of supporting fires with the final deployment of maneuver elements. Before crossing this line, units make final adjustments to supporting fires to reflect the actual situation versus the anticipated situation. The location should be easily recognizable on the ground. The final coordination line is not an FSCM. FORWARD LINE OF OWN TROOPS 3-28. The forward line of own troops is a line which indicates the most forward positions of friendly forces in any kind of military operation at a specific time (JP 3-03). The FLOT normally identifies the forward location of covering or screening forces. In the defense, it may be beyond, at, or short of the FEBA. It does not apply to small, long-range reconnaissance assets and similar stay-behind forces. Friendly forces forward of the FLOT may have a restrictive FSCM, such as a restrictive fire area, placed around them to prevent friendly fire incidents. LIMIT OF ADVANCE 3-29. The limit of advance is a phase line used to control forward progress of the attack. The attacking unit does not advance any of its elements or assets beyond the LOA, but the attacking unit can push its security forces to that limit. Commanders usually select a feature that is easily identifiable, perpendicular to the direction of attack, and on the far side of the objective as the LOA. The use of an LOA prevents an attacking force from overextending and reduces fratricide possibilities and friendly fire incidents by fires supporting the attack. Unit commanders position an LOA far enough beyond an objective to allow their unit to flexibly defend it. An LOA prevents units from exploiting success and launching a pursuit. Commanders should only use LOAs if they do not want their units to conduct an exploitation or pursuit. An LOA and the unit’s forward boundary should rarely coincide because of limitations that a forward boundary places on supporting fires beyond that boundary. LINE OF CONTACT 3-30. The line of contact is a general trace delineating the location where friendly and enemy forces are engaged. Commanders designate the enemy side of the line of contact by the abbreviation “ENY.” In the defense, a line of contact is often synonymous with the FLOT. A line of contact may be combined with an LD in the offense. LINE OF DEPARTURE 3-31. In land warfare, the line of departure is a line designated to coordinate the departure of attack elements (JP 3-31). The purpose of an LD is to coordinate the advance of the attacking force, so that its elements strike enemy forces in the order and at the time desired. An LD also marks where a unit transitions from movement to maneuver. Commanders also use it to facilitate the coordination of fires. Generally, it should be perpendicular to the direction the attacking force takes on its way to the objective. Units have different