Transitional Space Scenarios 

Let’s look at the true meaning of the words “transitional spaces” with real life scenarios. First, let’s start with a good definition of transitional spaces. Remember, we are using these words in the self-protection world with an understanding of how quick things happen. 

Transitional spaces are uncontrolled places between two static areas where we are vulnerable to criminals. Transitional spaces cannot be avoided; we have limited sight and we are usually within an arm’s reach of another person. 

Per Newcastle University, there are three types of transitional spaces, all of which are important to understand for self-preservation. 

1. Transition spaces between two destinations: Entrances are important transitional spaces for two distinct spaces. They interlink, but also separate spaces, with the same function. One way in and one way out.

2. Transition spaces between two static spaces: These spaces are typically utilized to connect two or more spaces. Common examples include courtyards, verandas, corridors, staircases and ramps. Several ways in and out.

3. Transition spaces between nature and built form: The concept of the backyard has opened new opportunities for connecting with nature and environment. There is a wide range of spaces that connect man, his dwelling and nature – from a basic semi-open enclosure in the gardens to intricate pavilions and trellises. Besides these direct connecting places, balconies and terraces have also served as an indirect link to nature and the outside world. 

How Quickly Can Things Happen? 

When things “go bad,” it will usually happen quickly and the closer a bad dude is to you, the quicker he can get to you, and the less time you have to make a solid first decision. 

Imagine you are tossing a football back and forth with a friend. You are roughly three-to-four car lengths (12 feet) from each other, so there is very little “time pressure” to catch the ball. You have time to move forward, backward or to the side in order to make a good catch. Now move a little closer, so you are under two car lengths from each other. Now, when the ball is thrown, you are starting to feel the pressure. You still have some time to move any direction to make a good catch, but you need to be super quick about it. Let’s shorten the distance between you and your friend to one car length. Here you can feel the pressure, and speed, of that ball coming at you and if you are not prepared, you are going to get nailed. And lastly, move a little closer. So close that you could lean in and shake someone’s hand. Now, throw the ball. The ball is moving so fast that you have no time to move out of the way. You are getting hit, so now it’s time to manage what happens next. This last zone has similarities to a transitional space. 

Transitional Space Scenarios

• You have paid for your groceries, they are bagged and in your cart, and you are heading toward the automatic doors. The threshold between the interior space and the exterior space is the transitional space. Most people will leave the building, look to see where they parked and head that way, but not you. You know a violent criminal could be lurking just outside the doors. You do not go blindly through that space, you think about how you want others to perceive you with your body language, you look both ways as you pass through and have a plan. You care about what or who is closest to you because that is the immediate threat due to distance. Once you have established that there is no one on either side of the door in that transitional space, you can now look for your car, always moving your eyes from near too far. You understand that once you are in your car, and it is locked, you are probably safe. 

• You live in an apartment building that has a handful of units and you are going to a pool party at your complex. You grab your pool bag, lock your apartment door and are walking to the locked apartment building door that will put you outside onto a sidewalk. This is a transitional space. Most people would be distracted with their bag and keys so they barrel through the spaces without a care in the world; all the while, a violent criminal is less than an arm’s length away. This won’t happen to you, though because you understand boundaries – so, you have pre-deployed pepper spray and pay attention to what is closest to you because that is your immediate threat. 

• It is Sunday night and you are in your fenced-in backyard getting your garbage cans ready to be taken to the street for Monday morning pickup. Most people would just open the wooden gate, swing it as wide as they can and start to drag two large cans through, but not you. You understand that it is dark out so vision is poor. You have a flashlight, but you also realize that you can’t see anything on the other side of your fence because it is a wooden privacy fence, and you know you can’t have both hands occupied as you go through this transitional space. So, you then walk through and look first to look for a potential threat, before doing the can drag. 

Understanding transitional spaces is a huge benefit when thinking about safety. Transitional spaces require you to look both ways immediately, have a plan, avoid distractions, carry yourself with confidence and understand that the closer the criminal, the less time you will have to react.

Want to train with Shelley and Brian Hill and the team at The Complete Combatant? Check out their website for opportunities, resources, swag, LockedIn Grip, apparel and more.

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  About Shelley Hill

  Shelley Hill wears a "bunch of hats." Her husband, Brian, named her the “Indispensable Organization Wizard” about 25 years ago and that has become her official title. Shelley is the CEO and instructor at The Complete Combatant. She is an HK Brand Ambassador, publishes regular articles in Women’s Outdoor News and Shooting Illustrated, teaches online classes, is an Active Self Protection Certified Instructor,  an Instructor Graduate of Modern Samurai Project's Red Dot Instructor program,  NRA Certified Instructor, Certified NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, Refuse to be a Victim Instructor and is a Certified OC (Pepper Spray) Instructor through Chuck Haggard's Agile Training & Consulting. She is the designer and mastermind behind Image Based Decisional Drills, Smart Choices , LockedIn Grip, The Complete Combatant's annual The Mingle for professional ladies in the "firearms/self defense" industry and The Quest for red dot shooters. She is also the President of a non-profit organization called Blue Line Ponies. This 501c3 focuses on providing a retirement range for our career service horses. Shelley is also a presenter at several national conferences is a public speaker and she actually loves people. View all posts by Shelley Hill →