When talking about fighting and defensive encounters, we often visualize ourselves in a certain type of scenario. We typically see ourselves defending against one opponent that we were alert and prepared for, in an open space, with a flat surface and in an environment that is well lit. While there is nothing wrong with this mental schema of how a violent attack might take place and it’s always better to have some sort of mental rehearsal vs none at all, it would be a disservice to ourselves and our personal safety if we didn’t address the concept of Transitional Spaces. What are Transitional Spaces and why are they significant in the context of Krav Maga and defensive encounters?
Defining Transitional Spaces
Not all environments are created equally. This is especially true for Transitional Spaces. So what are they? A Transitional Space is, essentially, any location or environment in which we are transitioning from one environment to another. Furthermore Transitional Spaces allow for the attacker to utilize the element of surprise and to have a quick escape route because most people do not think of Transitional Spaces as locations where defensive encounters can occur. The danger of Transitional Spaces is that we are in highly vulnerable positions usually in less-than-ideal conditions to defend ourselves either due to uneven surfaces, being in a physically awkward position, close quarters, low lighting, etc.
Examples of Transitional Spaces are endless, but some more common ones we talk about often are: stairways, elevators, alleyways, parking lots/garages, vehicles (i.e. getting in/out of your vehicle or sitting in a stopped vehicle), doorways/lobbies, hallways, and public transportation (defending yourself on a bus/train). Have you ever mentally rehearsed a scenario involving defending yourself in one of these types of locations?
Tactical Considerations
When discussing why Transitional Spaces are important as they pertain to Krav Maga it’s important to understand how our tactics change. Our environment is going to completely dictate our tactics. This is true for defensive encounters generally, but even more so when we are in a Transitional Space. It makes sense when you think about it. A Taekwondo Tornado Kick is probably not going to be a viable option in an elevator, or most kicks for that matter. A better option might be using close range strikes such as knees, elbows, headbutts, hammer fists and some tighter punches like hooks or uppercuts. That awesome jab-jab-cross-hook-uppercut combo you’ve been working on would be difficult to execute on a stairway as you’re going up or down. Your goal if fighting on a stairway is to get off the stairs and onto flatter ground, so you might want to consider disengaging. As I said, your environment dictates your tactics.
Strategies for Transitional Spaces
Transitional Spaces are a fact of life, they are unavoidable. On any given day you can easily find yourself in a multitude of Transitional Spaces all which can require slightly differing strategies for surviving a defensive encounter within. So it would be ridiculous for me to say try to avoid Transitional Spaces, because you just can’t. What you can do however, is pay attention.
If you’ve been reading my blog, you will have seen I’ve posted previously about such topics as Situational Awareness, Cooper’s Color Code, Boyd’s OODA Loop, as well as Baselines (click on any for links to those) and you should begin to see how all of these topics help to coalesce into a solid foundation of a comprehensive Self-Defense plan. Transitional Spaces are another layer to your proverbial Self-Defense onion in that the best defense in a Transitional Space is realising that you are in fact in one! By being aware and being in Condition Yellow it helps you to react to a threat. However what you should also be thinking about is what your options are when entering a new environment, even if that environment is a transitional one to another. This mental rehearsing helps cut down on your OODA Loop and react more quickly and effectively. You can’t know when you will be attacked, if you could you wouldn’t be there in the first place. Your next best bet is being alert and aware of your environment and knowing what your options and limitations are.
Look inside that elevator, is it empty? Are there unsavory looking characters in it? Don’t worry about being rude, if you feel unsafe, take the next one, they’ll get over it. Look down the stairs (or up) as you enter a stairwell, does it look clear? how close/far are the nearest landings and exits? Before you get in your car, do a quick 360° visual scan of your environment. Do the same when exiting your car. Check your mirrors when stopped in traffic.
I could go on forever, the point is that information and intel are your friend. What can you learn about your environment? Look around, establish a baseline. Be cognizant of Transitional Spaces and what your options for defending yourself might be. Be cognizant of what your limitations are too (such as that tornado kick in the elevator, or being inside a car).
Conclusion
Understanding Transitional Spaces and being aware of the heightened risks they present in the context of a defensive encounter can help us to be more aware if we are attacked in one and to have an idea of what strategies and tactics might be available to us. Hopefully in reading this post it has gotten you thinking about Transitional Spaces and has started you mentally rehearsing about what you might do if attacked in some of the environments you commonly find yourself in. What are some other examples of Transitional Spaces you can think of? What are some strategies you can employ if attacked in one of those spaces? Leave a comment below!
As always, thanks for reading. Stay alert, stay safe and no matter what GO HOME SAFE! KIDA!
Published by kravmagamindset
Mike is a Krav Maga and Martial Arts practitioner for 10+ years, a Police Officer in a major urban city, and an overall Self-Defense enthusiast looking to connect, discuss and learn with other like-minded individuals in various stages of their self-defense journeys. Not an officially certified Krav Maga Instructor. All topics discussed and techniques demonstrated are purely for discussion purposes and are not to be taken as a substitution for actual training at an officially certified Krav Maga school. Krav Maga Mindset waives all liability resulting in misuse or misapplication of topics/techniques discussed in this blog and any injuries resulting from such.View all posts by kravmagamindset
