Trocar assemblies and methods of use in minimally invasive surgical procedures are described. Such trocar assemblies include a head, a distally extending shaft including an open distal end, a cutting component extending through the open distal end, and a retractable protection assembly to extend and retract through the open distal end of the shaft. The retractable protection assembly extends through the open distal end to cover the cutting component in a naturally biased position. Further, the retractable protection assembly retracts from the open distal end to expose the cutting component in a compressed position during application of body pressure to the retractable protection assembly until reaching a body cavity. Upon reaching the body cavity and removal of body pressure, the retractable protection assembly returns to the naturally biased position and extends through the open distal end to cover the cutting component.