Special Forces 'Realistic Self-Defense' Principles in Prague, Czech Republic | RDCTD Covert Operation Tradecraft The tradecraft guide to realistic self-defense; basic combatives techniques and defensive concepts utilized by the Special Forces that’s grounded in gross motor skills, disabling strikes, and simple escapes.

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The primary goal in this type of defense is to help you protect vital areas, counter-attack when necessary, and, most importantly, maintain a mindset focused on survival and escape rather than prolonged engagement.

Special Forces operators are trained to handle threats with maximum efficiency. In combat situations, there’s no time or need for flash or complicated maneuvers. The aim is to neutralize the threat quickly and move to safety. When it comes to self-defense, adopting similar principles can help anyone — no matter their experience level — respond effectively to danger.

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LINER TRADECRAFT

        I.   THE MINDSET

Before getting into techniques, it’s essential to establish the right mindset. In real-world self-defense situations, you don’t have time for hesitation. Your objective is to act decisively, prioritize your safety, and disengage as quickly as possible. Extended conflict can increase the chances of injury, attract more attackers, or escalate into an unwinnable situation.

Key Mindset Principles:

Survive First:   Your priority is survival, not winning a fight. Always aim to disengage and escape.

Aggression with Control:   In a defensive scenario, you must commit to your actions but avoid letting emotions like fear or anger take over. Controlled aggression helps you strike with intent.

Keep Moving:   Stagnation is dangerous in a fight. Constant movement — whether you’re attacking or escaping — disrupts your attacker’s ability to target you effectively.

Situational Awareness:   Maintain awareness of your surroundings at all times. This includes potential exits, obstacles, and additional threats.


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By practicing this mental switch under stress, you condition your mind to bypass hesitation and initiate movement immediately. This simple preparation can save critical seconds in a self-defense situation, allowing you to act quickly, disable the threat, and escape.

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        II.   GROSS MOTOR SKILLS OVER FINE TECHNIQUES

In high-stress situations, fine motor skills deteriorate rapidly due to adrenaline and the body’s natural stress response. Special Forces operators rely on gross motor skills — simple, large body movements that are easier to execute under pressure. In self-defense, these include basic punches, elbows, knee strikes, and simple escapes.

Key Gross Motor Techniques:

Hammerfist Strikes:   A hammerfist involves striking with the bottom part of your closed fist. It’s a strong, natural movement that minimizes the risk of injuring your hand. Target the face, nose, or collarbone of your attacker.

Elbow Strikes:   Elbows are extremely effective at close range, especially to the head or torso. Drive your elbow into soft targets like the jaw or solar plexus.

Knee Strikes:   If your opponent is within grabbing distance, use knee strikes to target their groin, stomach, or thighs. Kneeing an attacker disrupts their stance and ability to keep fighting.

Low-Line Kicks:   Target the knees, shins, or ankles of your opponent. A low kick to the knee can disable an attacker’s mobility quickly, making escape easier.


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This conditioning will help your body execute simple but effective movements even when your mind is overwhelmed. These movements are instinctive and don’t require precision — ideal for situations when you’re under duress.

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        III.   PROTECTING VITAL AREAS

Protecting your vital areas is crucial in self-defense. These are the regions of the body where a strike could incapacitate or seriously injure you. An operator will always guard these areas while attempting to disable an attacker by targeting theirs.

Vital Areas to Protect:

Head and Neck:   A blow to the head or neck can cause unconsciousness or worse. Use your arms and shoulders to shield your face, and always keep your chin tucked to protect the neck.

Solar Plexus and Ribs:   A powerful strike to the solar plexus (located just below the sternum) can knock the wind out of you, leaving you vulnerable.

Groin:   Protect the groin at all costs, as it is a prime target in any close-range encounter. Always be mindful of leaving it exposed during an altercation.

When protecting vital areas, use the concept of “tactical framing” — positioning your forearms and hands in front of key targets like your head, neck, and torso without compromising your ability to strike back. Keep your elbows tight to your body and hands slightly extended in front of your face.


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In protecting these areas, keep your hands up in a defensive position, ideally between you and your attacker. Your elbows should be close to your ribs, and your chin should remain tucked. This stance allows you to both protect yourself and launch counterattacks effectively.

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        IV.   DISABLING STRIKES

Disabling strikes are intended to create immediate, debilitating pain or injury, allowing you to escape the situation. The focus is not on knocking out your opponent but on breaking their ability to continue the attack.

Targets for Disabling Strikes:

Eyes:   An eye gouge or rake is one of the most effective disabling techniques. Even a brief contact with the eyes can cause intense pain and disorientation.

Throat:   A strike to the throat — whether with a fist, edge of the hand, or thumb — can collapse the windpipe or make it difficult for the attacker to breathe, giving you valuable seconds to disengage.

Groin:   A knee or kick to the groin can cause immediate incapacitation. This area is extremely sensitive and a reliable target for men and women alike.

Knees:   Kicking or stomping the knee can cause serious damage, potentially taking away the attacker’s ability to chase or continue fighting.

When targeting disabling strikes, always follow through with your attack to maximize impact. For example, when aiming for the throat or eyes, commit fully by driving your body weight into the strike rather than relying solely on arm strength.


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When applying these disabling strikes, do so with maximum intent and aggression. Your goal is to create enough damage to stop the attacker’s assault and make your escape possible.

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        V.   SIMPLE ESCAPES

In a self-defense scenario, you should aim to escape as soon as the opportunity arises. Special Forces operators practice quick escapes because prolonged combat is dangerous and unpredictable. The same principle applies in civilian self-defense — use strikes to create space and then get out.

Basic Escape Techniques:

Escape from Grabs:   If grabbed by the wrist or arm, instead of pulling directly away, rotate your wrist towards the weakest part of the attacker’s grip (usually the thumb) and pull free. This move requires little strength and works well under pressure.

Frame and Push:   If an attacker grabs you around the body, create a frame with your arms by pressing your forearm into their chest or neck. From this position, you can push off, creating space for a disabling strike or an escape.

Break Contact:   After delivering disabling strikes, don’t engage further. Instead, break contact and immediately move toward an exit. The goal is to avoid being dragged into a prolonged fight where you risk injury or escalation.


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By controlling their arm momentarily, you also set yourself up for a quick disabling strike to the face or groin. This tactic turns a defensive maneuver into an opportunity for immediate counter-attack and escape.

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        VI.   REAL-WORLD SCENARIO TRAINING

Special Forces operators train constantly to ensure these movements are second nature. While you may not have access to the same level of training, it’s important to practice under stress. Simulate real-world conditions by training with a partner or using drills that elevate your heart rate and adrenaline, such as sprinting or exercising before practicing strikes.

Key Points to Keep in Mind:

Use scenarios:   Practice reacting to common self-defense situations like a surprise grab or a close-quarters confrontation.

Maximize efficiency:   Focus on quick, decisive movements that end the encounter as soon as possible.

Train to escape:   The purpose of self-defense is survival. Make sure your training always includes practicing how to escape once you’ve neutralized the immediate threat.


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The more you train your body and mind to perform under stress, the better prepared you’ll be to execute these techniques in a high-stakes scenario.

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LINER TRADECRAFT

Self-defense, when stripped down to its essentials, is about surviving and escaping. Special Forces combatives emphasize simple, powerful techniques designed for real-world scenarios. By training with these principles in mind, you can dramatically increase your chances of walking away from a dangerous situation unharmed.

[INTEL : ‘Protect yourself at all times…]
[INTEL : The Self-Defense Size Up]
[OPTICS : Prague, Czech Republic]