The cations within a metallic solid are known as Kernels . The mechanism that holds a metallic bond together is the attraction between the positive kernels and the negative electron sea. The strength of the metallic bond is derived primarily from the charges in the system. The larger the magnitude of the positive charge on the metallic nuclei, the greater the strength of the metallic bond. The greater the number of valence electrons contributed to the electron sea, the greater the strength of the metallic bond.
Metallic bonds are omnidirectional.
They do not have any geometric requirements which need to be fulfilled. Think of the marbles surrounded by water, in a box. The marbles can be pushed anywhere within the box and the water will follow them, always surrounding the marbles. Because of this unique property, metallic bonds can maintain their existence when pushed and pulled in all sorts of ways. If a metal is subjected to a force, the kernels can slide around on the layer of electrons.