closequarter

Closequarter, often written as close quarters, refers to situations and engagements conducted at short range within a confined or cluttered space. It applies to physical proximity between opponents, participants, or objects, and is used in military, law enforcement, sports, and design contexts. The term is closely associated with close-quarters combat (CQC), a subset of fighting that emphasizes speed, control, and weapon-handling in tight spaces.

In military and law enforcement, close-quarters combat covers techniques for moving, entering, and fighting in rooms, hallways, and urban interiors. Training typically includes room clearance, disarming and restraining techniques, grappling, and the use of short-range weapons. It prioritizes situational awareness, rapid decision-making, and safety to minimize collateral damage. Equipment may include compact firearms, knife or blade options, and protective gear suitable for confined space operations.

In design and planning, close-quarters considerations affect architectural layout, crowd management, and safety protocols. Narrow corridors, doors, stairwells, and cluttered environments affect mobility, evacuation routes, sightlines, and cover options in both civilian and tactical contexts, including emergency response and search-and-rescue operations.

In culture and media, close-quarters scenarios are common in action films, tabletop wargames, and video games, where combat mechanics emphasize proximity and fast reflexes. The concept is often distinguished from long-range or open-space engagements.