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If $f:M\to N$ satisfies transversality of a map to a submanifold $S$, its nonempty preimage is an embedded submanifold of the displayed codimension. Choose a slice chart for an embedded submanifold around $f(p)$ in which $S$ is the zero set of the first $k$ coordinates. Their composition with $f$ has surjective derivative on its zero set, so the regular level set theorem gives a local embedded slice of dimension $\dim M-k$. These slices give the subspace topology and a compatible smooth atlas on the preimage. Its tangent space is

Initial position ${\varphi }_0$ for a wave map takes values in the target, and initial velocity ${\varphi }_1$ belongs to its tangent space at ${\varphi }_0(x)$. For $S^2$ this means $|{\varphi }_0|=1$ and ${\varphi }_0\cdot {\varphi }_1=0$. Localized data agree with a constant map and zero velocity outside a compact set; the map itself need not be a compactly supported ambient function.