I know a bit vague, but thought I would offer. In our tradition, this really implies that positioning and blocks would be considered of higher importance to striking on the hierarchy of considerations when defending against an attack. Parries would be used most often with the idea of continuing the attacker's momentum, not stopping it, so better positioning would be available to the defender. Movements would consist of either circular movements around the attack, or angled linear movements moving at 45 degree angles to the plane of the attack. Top left can be named quadrant one next to it, on the right, quadrant two below it on the left, quadrant three and finally on the bottom right, quadrant four. This can be modeled on an X-Y axis where the opponent would be standing on the top of the Y-axis and the defender on the bottom, divided by the X-axis.

Within this basic step work is the consideration of weakness of the opponent's position as it relates to his stance and also an understanding of a weak side/ strong side potential of attack from the opponent. In the school that I am familiar with, we use a 12-step paradigm (and variations on these) to model basic movements and counters to an opponent's attacks. Tai Sabaki, or just Sabaki as we use it, coming from an Ashihara Karate tradition, would be integral in the evaluation of movement as a response to any particular technique.

Sabaki no yari