What is Defendo?

Defendo is knowledge and passion that could one day save your life - even if only once.

An instructor in a red shirt controls a training partner in a clinch outdoors while others watch

Defendo is…

a modern European self‑defense system designed for the real threats of everyday life. It combines contemporary teaching methodology, safe training practices, and proven effectiveness - in a way that’s accessible to everyone. Born in Scandinavia, it continues to grow across Europe. The system was created by Finnish master Jyrki Saario, who built it on years of experience in close‑quarters combat, cooperation with the military and law‑enforcement, and sound pedagogy.

Two men work a wrist-grab drill in a gym, a group watching

You don't have to be…

an athlete, a commando, or a martial‑arts champion. It’s enough to be a conscious citizen who wants to be prepared for real‑world dangers.

Defendo gives you an edge:

  • You train simple solutions based on natural reactions.
  • Classes are conducted safely-even for people with no prior experience.
  • After about 50 training hours, you can become a Hard Target-more ready for an unexpected confrontation.
Become an instructor

The four pillars of Defendo

Each pillar represents a complete Defendo program – from essential self-defense to advanced tactical skills.

We divide Defendo into four categories—each with a different specialization and set of requirements.

Two men drill a knife defence on a gym floor, one in red shorts

Red

The foundation of Defendo. Focused on simple and effective techniques for real-life self-defense and personal safety.

Defendo Red is the foundational and most important pillar of the Defendo system — created for civilians who want to learn real, effective, and intuitive self-defense. The program consists of six logically structured levels, each developing different skills — from basic defensive reactions to advanced tactics against armed attackers.

Characteristics:
For civilians
For professionals
For enthusiasts
Learn more
An instructor seen from behind on an indoor shooting range, wearing ear protection and a blue Defendo instructor shirt

Blue

Designed for police officers and security professionals. Emphasizes control, restraint, and safe handling of aggressive individuals.

Defendo Blue is a specialized tactical self-defense program designed for law-enforcement officers and security professionals. It focuses on the legal and effective use of force, control techniques, and suspect restraining. Training is based on realistic decision-making scenarios that teach quick responses under stress.

Characteristics:
For police
For uniformed services
Learn more
A soldier in green field uniform and cap, in profile, outdoors

Green

Military CQB designed for armed forces. Builds the individual soldier’s ability to survive in close-contact situations.

Defendo Green is the military version of the system, focused on close-quarters combat and survival in combat conditions. The program emphasizes practical CQC (Close Quarters Combat) skills, tactical movement, and readiness for operations in the most demanding and unpredictable environments. Training is aimed at military personnel, special forces operators, and units operating under battlefield stress.

Characteristics:
For military personnel
Learn more
A paramedic in a high-visibility jacket seen from behind, looking down a street

White

Created for medical and emergency service personnel. Focuses on safety, protection, and managing violence in high-stress environments.

Defendo White was developed specifically for medical responders and emergency service workers who are often exposed to aggression while performing their duties. The program emphasizes situational awareness, de-escalation skills, and safe protective techniques adapted to medical work environments and high-stress situations.

Characteristics:
For paramedics
For healthcare professionals
For medical support staff
Learn more

Defendo Red

Defendo Red is the core pillar of the Defendo system-created for civilians who want to learn real, effective, and intuitive self‑defense. The program consists of six logically arranged levels, each developing different skills-from fundamental defensive reactions to advanced tactics against an armed attacker.

  • Level 1 – Hard Target: posture, stress response, and core techniques.
  • Levels 2–4 – Combat Tech: defense against attacks from various directions, controlling an aggressor, and fighting on the ground.
  • Levels 5–6 – S.T.A.R.: realistic scenarios involving a knife, stick, and firearms.

Training is physical, mental, and practical-giving you tools that can truly help in a dangerous situation. Everything takes place in a safe, supportive training environment-without brutality or aggression. Each level ends with an exam to confirm progress and enable further development. Grounded in European realities and legal context, Defendo Red is highly relevant for today’s city dwellers.

Defendo Blue

Defendo Blue is a specialist training program for law‑enforcement and private‑security personnel. It focuses on practical techniques for subduing and controlling aggressive individuals, the legal and safe use of force (e.g., handcuffs, OC spray, baton), and tactical operations during interventions-including in low‑visibility or confined spaces (e.g., room‑entry while protecting facilities).

Dr. Tomasz Maczuga – Police lieutenant colonel (ret.), former deputy head of the Department of Intervention Techniques and Tactics at the Police Training Center in Legionowo; PhD in physical culture; author of training manuals for officers.

Who is it for?

  • Law‑enforcement officers (police, military police, municipal police),
  • Physical security staff and intervention teams,
  • Instructors of intervention techniques and safety,
  • Candidates for uniformed services and specialist formations,
  • People responsible for incident response and facility security.

Defendo Green

Defendo Green is a specialist program in hand‑to‑hand combat and close‑quarters tactics (CQB), developed for soldiers, special‑operations personnel, and officers working in high‑risk environments.

Training scope includes:

  • Hand‑to‑hand fighting with long guns and sidearms,
  • Defensive techniques against edged and dangerous tools,
  • Offensive actions in confined spaces,
  • Anti‑disarm tactics and the use of firearms as contact‑distance tools.

Program Director: Maj. Petteri Kantola (ret.), Finnish Defence Forces.

Designed for:

  • Operational military and special‑operations units,
  • H2H/CQB instructors,
  • Armed formations (e.g., Military Police, Border Guard),
  • Intervention teams, cadets, and participants in armed‑forces training programs,
  • Personnel responsible for security and response under combat‑risk conditions.

Defendo White

Defendo White is a specialist program designed for people working on the front line with the public-especially in stressful situations marked by tension or aggression. It is intended, among others, for paramedics, teachers, public‑transport staff, social‑services workers, and civil servants.

The training focuses on safe and lawful ways to:

  • Control and calm aggressive individuals,
  • Protect yourself and others without resorting to violence,
  • Handle panic, grappling, or verbal/physical assaults,
  • Minimize the risk of conflict escalation,
  • Provide first aid and call for support in crisis situations.

Built on realistic workplace scenarios, the program does not require prior combat‑sports experience. It teaches you to act with professionalism and respect for others’ dignity while ensuring the safety of yourself, colleagues, and those under your care.

Training program structure

Defendo offers a unique training curriculum, broken down into thematic levels—each focusing on different self-defense aspects. As you gain experience and invest time in training, you'll move through the stages, mastering new techniques and tactical elements. Each level concludes with an exam that confirms your readiness for the next phase.

  1. I
    Two men stand side by side in a training hall, one in a Saario Academy hooded top

    Hard TargetLevel I

    The Hard Target level is a training program aimed at civilians who want to learn the basics of self-defense and increase their personal safety. The program focuses on building awareness, prevention, and simple self-defense techniques.

    • Character development
    • Basics of self-defense
    • Preventing dangerous situations
    • For beginners
  2. II
    An instructor demonstrates a palm defence while students look on

    Combat TechLevel II

    The Combat Tech level is the first step into the world of professional self-defense. The program includes basic techniques of effective defense against the most common forms of violence.

    • Defense against frontal threats
    • Gaining an advantage
    • For people with at least 50 hours of training
  3. III
    Two men grapple on a mat, one inverted with legs in the air

    Combat TechLevel III

    At this level, participants expand their skills and learn advanced techniques. The training includes fighting on the ground and defense against various types of attacks.

    • Attack from behind
    • Fighting from a worse position
    • For people with prior experience in Defendo
  4. IV
    Ground fighting on a mat while a man in a Saario Academy shirt watches

    Combat TechLevel IV

    This level focuses on developing the ability to act effectively under high stress. Training includes fighting in limited spaces and multiple attacker scenarios.

    • Fighting on the ground
    • Fighting in a disadvantageous position
    • For advanced participants
  5. V
    Two men spar wearing protective helmets

    S.T.A.R. (Special Tactics and Response)Level V

    The S.T.A.R. program is designed for uniformed services. It includes advanced tactics and techniques, giving professionals the skills needed to act effectively in extreme situations.

    • Defense against dangerous objects
    • Situation control
    • For the highest levels of advancement
  6. VI
    A drill against a training pistol held to the head, by a white wall

    S.T.A.R. (Firearm)Level VI

    The advanced phase of the S.T.A.R. program focuses on perfecting previously acquired skills and adapting them to even more demanding tasks faced by professionals.

    • Defense against firearms
    • Extreme conditions
Events

What we organize

Saario Academy organizes hundreds of events each year, giving tens of thousands of participants the opportunity to discover and develop their Defendo skills.

Seven students stand in a line in a gym facing an instructor

Everyday training

The system provides participants with professional and safe training. Classes are varied, improve physical fitness, build self-confidence, develop early-threat recognition skills, and teach how to survive in situations of direct danger.

We place strong emphasis on maintaining the highest quality of our training. We offer a wide range of courses and instructor programs, depending on the participant’s level of experience and preparation for the role of instructor.

Contact us
An instructor signs a document for a student in a training hall

Camps and seminars

Saario Academy regularly organizes training events in seven European countries, enabling both beginners and advanced participants to develop their self-defense skills in the Defendo system. Each event has a clear goal and program—from intensive camps, through instructor courses, to open thematic seminars.

A wide view of a training hall with many pairs practising

Courses

Saario Academy conducts professional training programs preparing participants to become Defendo instructors—in the Red, Green, Blue, or White versions. Each course consists of practical and theoretical parts, ending with an exam and international certification. Programs are led by experienced trainers, including special-forces officers, military instructors, and the system’s creators.

Saario Academy certificates and log books laid out on a table

Examinations

The Defendo system has been designed as a consistent and transparent development path, where each level ends with an exam. This gives participants the opportunity to confirm their skills and move on to the next stage—both as students and as future instructors.

The Defendo Red program consists of six levels:

  • Level 1 – Hard Target
  • Levels 2–4 – Combat Tech
  • Levels 5–6 – S.T.A.R. (Special Tactics And Response)

At each level, you practice new techniques and self-defense scenarios. After completing the required number of training hours and mastering the necessary skills, you may take the practical exam.

A close-quarters drill inside a narrow vehicle interior

Want to organize your own event?

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FAQ

Looking for answers?

Find the answer to your question.

How to start training Defendo?

To start training Defendo, go to the Find a Club section and choose a location that suits you. You can also contact us at defendo@gmail.com or through the Contact page.

How to become an instructor

To become a Defendo instructor, you need to meet certain requirements and criteria. More information can be found in the Contact section, or you can get in touch with us there and submit your application.

Do I need experience to start training?

No! Defendo is a system you can start training regardless of your age or experience.

Is Defendo training safe?

Defendo training is based on learning safety, so instructors pay special attention to ensuring safety during classes.

What is the difference between Defendo and Krav Maga?

Defendo is not a combat sport, but a self-defence system focused on teaching the right reactions in dangerous situations. It was designed to neutralize as many threats as possible using as few techniques as necessary, following the principle that “less is more.”

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