Wiktionary
forward line
n. 1 (context military English) The soldiers in the furthest forward position in an army. 2 (context Gaelic football Australian rules football English) Collectively, the three full forwards 3 (context soccer English) Collectively, the attackers
Usage examples of "forward line".
Its forward line, already far away, was marked by a high yellow cascade.
Nine hundred kilometers from the logical mustering point, nonstop, with heavy warships and freighters, and we can say we'd be unlikely to see the forward line make more than ten kilometers per hour tops, but allowing for storms, tides, whatever, certainly less.
He cast off the forward line, then walked back, seemingly unconcerned that the bow was swinging in a great arc.