1) When you set a Rally Point from one of your base buildings, choose a location that has green cover (see video below).
The proper use of Rally Points in my opinion is an under-utilized component to some player’s game. How do I know this? I save every replay (mostly team games against various levels of players) and when I open it up in COHRA (Company of Heroes Replay Analyzer) I notice the erratic use of Rally Points. Whether its 1v1 or team games almost every map has a good green cover location (closer to the battlefield) where you can set a rally point. In the early game this doesn't seem like much of an advantage, but the minute you start fighthing, you might forget about your troops and at least now you can be assured that they are in green cover should they be attacked. Also worth noting is that as the game progresses, don't be afraid to reset your Rally Points again to different areas, once again it would be ideal to set it to a green cover spot (anything but red).
2) When Shift-Clicking orders, your last click should always be to a location of cover.
Never end your Shift-Click on a captured point. Never build/repair something without queuing your squad to an area of cover.
Why is this important? Because once again, you will most likely be micro'ing something else and by queuing the unit to cover it at least guarantee’s that those troops are protected should you forget about them.
Examples in which you should use this tip is when:
Laying mines, salvaging wrecks, repairing vehicles, etc.
Building bunkers, MG nests, etc.
Any defensive structures: wire, sand bags, tank traps, etc.
In addition to queuing your squad to cover (after their “work assignment”), you should right click direction drag them to ensure that they are in directional cover, that is, facing the area where and attack is most likely.
Video examples:
VIDEO: Barracks Rally Point to green Cover on Semois south:
VIDEO: Rifles ordered to capture Ammo point and queued to take cover (behind wall):
VIDEO: Engineers place mines and are queued to take cover Ex#1:
VIDEO: Engineers place mines and are queued to take cover Ex#2:
VIDEO: Engineers repair M8 and queued to take cover (in house):
