Programs · 01 Name
Defendo.
“It is better to be a student of reality than a master of illusion.”
— Jyrki Saario · founder
02 — One-line definition
A modern self-defense system based on scientific research.
Defendo provides a minimum amount of techniques with maximum repetitions to create an effective close-combat system. It combines straight-forward fighting techniques with tactical thinking to deal with modern urban dangers.
Defendo was developed to meet the requirements of European societies — the culture, the climate and the environment set the conditions a self-defense system must take into account to be realistic. Only tried and tested techniques have remained in the system; the uncertain and less useful ones were discarded.
The Defendo triangle — the three fundamentals of self-defense
Physical fitness
The body that carries the technique.
Correct techniques
Mastery of the correct techniques — few, tried, tested.
A strong mind
The “never give up” mindset, trained from Level 1.
The mathematics of Defendo: three techniques with a thousand repetitions beat a thousand techniques with three. Action beats reaction — the system is built so that under sudden pressure, the trained response is already there.
// the name honours William E. Fairbairn’s “Defend-U” of 1931 — Shanghai police, wartime close-combat — “the common denominator being the maximum realism and effectiveness of the systems and the European roots.”
03 — Saario Academy connection
Defendo lives inside Saario Academy — taught by licensed instructors, examined to one standard.
Defendo Alliance EST. 2005
Founded by Jyrki Saario in 2005 — Finland and Sweden first, then Hungary, Poland, Ireland, France, Spain and the Czech Republic; the UK and USA from 2014.
IDDI
International Division of Defendo Instructors — the Alliance’s expert instructor team.
RAID
Research and International Development — a hand-picked team, RED level and thirty or older, that develops the system.
04 — For whom
Built for civilians. Extended for professionals.
Civilians — the core system
Defendo as taught in the clubs: the six-level student system, with RED as its apex.
Defendo Blue — police & security services
Defense in interventions: overpowering and controlling aggressive individuals, close-quarters work, reduced visibility, first aid under pressure.
Defendo Green — military
Close-combat with rifles, pistols and knives, a strong emphasis on not being disarmed — trained in full battle-gear.
Defendo White — paramedics & medical personnel
A dedicated track for paramedics and medical personnel.
05 — What it teaches
Few techniques. Many repetitions. Clear doctrine.
“Teach how to win, not how to lose.”
“How you train, is how you react.”
“Lots of fights may end up on the ground, but 100% of them begin while standing.”
— from Jyrki Saario’s guidelines on teaching
How a class runs
Every lesson runs on the Defendo clock — a structured 60-minute lesson plan — under the system’s safety rules. An instructor’s first priority is to prepare students for survival in a sudden physical confrontation.
// from the Defendo poster wall
advice #1 for homecoming:
be trained and prepared!
Defendo poster · www.defendo.org
06 — Level structure
Six levels. Then RED.
The student system is a ladder of six examined levels — every level closes with a fighting requirement.
Hard Target
The basics: stance, footwork, strikes at maximum force, defense against sudden attacks. The “never give up” mindset begins here.
Fighting requirementMilling I — with overhooks and underhooks
Combat Tech Part I · Attacks from the front
Defense against the most common attacks from the front — kicks, chokes, grabs — and basic joint-locks.
Fighting requirementMilling II
Combat Tech Part II · Attacks from behind
Defense against attacks from behind — chokes, bear hugs, hair and neck grabs.
Fighting requirementThe decapitation test
Combat Tech Part III · The ground
Fighting on the ground — grips, holds, chokes and leverages. The primary rule: get up as fast and as safe as possible.
Fighting requirementStreetboxing
S.T.A.R. Part I · Special Tactics And Response
Advanced work: defense against club and knife — threats and attacks.
Fighting requirementGround fighting
S.T.A.R. Part II · Firearms
Five techniques against firearm threats, including in defense of a third party. Full-out sparring, standing and on the ground.
Fighting requirementEverything goes
Defendo RED — the apex
“The final level achievable in Defendo — roughly the equivalent of black belt in other martial arts. Receiving the DEFENDO RED certificate from founder Jyrki Saario means that the student has trained consistently through the system and achieved a very high understanding of the technical and tactical aspects of self-defense.”
// inside the curriculum, techniques carry their own names — the Shield, the A-Block, the Whiplash
07 — Instructor path
From student to instructor.
Instructor courses — Levels 1–3
Defendo Level 1, 2 and 3 instructor courses, run across the Alliance calendar — typically five days each.
The RED course
After all three stages of the basic course, on the Head Master’s recommendation — five to seven days, closed with an exam. Passing it is Black Belt, 1st degree.
Black Belt, 2nd–5th degree
Waiting periods of two to five years between degrees — and every degree returns to the RED course: assisting, teaching, showing deeper understanding.
08 — Program coordinator
Defendo runs through the Academy’s coordinator structure. Instructors stay in contact with their coordinator, and official certificates are ordered through coordinators only.
09 — Events
Defendo on the 2026 calendar.
Defendo Combat Tech Camp · Warsaw
Defendo Suurleiri · Kotka
Defendo Masterclass + RED course · Lahti
Defendo Blue course & Blue Camp · Valkeakoski
Defendo Winter War · Lahti
Open for everyone// from the 2026 Saario Academy calendar — part of the Academy’s international year
10 — Certification & Passport
Every grade is examined, recorded and signed.
Authorised examiners
Only authorised examiners grade Defendo. Authorisation follows Dan rank — a 1st Dan examines up to Level 1; a 5th Dan, Levels 5 and 6.
Recorded results
Examination results are officially recorded in official logbooks and passports.
The RED certificate
The Defendo RED certificate comes from founder Jyrki Saario.
“Examination results are officially recorded in official logbooks/passports.”
— Saario Academy Regulation
11 — FAQ
Asked before the first class.
Do I need experience to start?
No. Level 1 — Hard Target — is the basics of self-defense: stance, footwork, strikes at maximum force, defense against sudden attacks. The whole system is built as a minimum amount of techniques with maximum repetitions.
How long does Defendo take?
Each level takes roughly six months of consistent training, and the six-level ladder about three years. RED sits beyond it as the final certificate.
Is there real fighting in the exams?
Yes. Every level closes with a fighting requirement — Milling at Levels 1 and 2, the decapitation test at Level 3, Streetboxing at 4, ground fighting at 5, and “everything goes” at Level 6.
I work in police, the military or medical services — is Defendo for me?
There are dedicated professional tracks: Defendo Blue for police and security services, Green for the military, and White for paramedics and medical personnel. Civilians train the core system.
12 — Next step
Train Defendo.
Find a club near you and start at Level 1 — Hard Target.