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Like many martial artists (especially those with a traditional background) I used to consider the head butt as essentially a thugs move. It doesn’t have the same finesse as some martial arts techniques and because almost anyone can do it without any special training I used to think that it didn’t qualify as a proper martial arts technique, so I basically ignored it like you would the scruffy little kid with the attitude in the school yard. I was too good for the head butt.
Then I had cause to use it years ago. A guy was getting too close for comfort, right into my face and obviously about to hit me when without thinking I head butted him on the nose. To my surprise and his, blood exploded from his nose and he dropped to his knees, both hands over his injured face, any thoughts of attacking me now long gone from his mind. Needless to say, I made a quick exit and ran of down the street before his mates came.
Ever since that incident I have found renewed respect for the head butt and I was lead to examine it more as a weapon and as a means for effective street self defense. I now consider the head butt to be as much a martial arts technique as a punch or kick or lock and just as effective in terms of causing an opponent real damage and stopping them in their tracks.
If you have a problem with the head butt in the sense that you dismiss it out of hand as an ineffective technique then you probably do so for one of two reasons:
1. You’re a snob (like I once was) who views the head butt as being beneath you because it isn’t taught in your traditional system or…
2. You have little or know combat experience and therefore are unable to see the benefits of such a technique in a real fighting situation.
If you dislike the head butt for the first reason then get over yourself. Pretentiousness, snobbishness, self importance, these are the undesirable qualities that have plagued the more traditional martial arts over the years and that have made it easy for critics to dismiss traditionalists as being out of touch and up their own ass. If it wasn’t for these traits then proponents from the MMA and reality based self defense quarters would find it much harder to criticize the traditional martial arts as being irrelevant. Close-mindedness is not something to be cultivated as some martial artists have done over the years, but something to be set aside in favour of open-mindedness and a willingness to accept whatever works. How is a head butt anymore cruder than an elbow strike or a knee? It isn’t. It has just become synonymous with street fighting and therefore is considered too thuggish for the dojo. Let me tell you though, in terms of street self defense, nothing is too thuggish. I’ll bite your nose of if I had to. It’s about survival. End of.
If you dismiss the head butt because of the second reason, then what gives you the right if you have never tried to use it in a real situation? Admit you’re not sure about it because you’ve never seen it working but don’t dismiss it out of hand based purely on a lack of experience.
So we have established the credibility of the humble head butt and it is no longer the outcast in the school yard but a welcome member of the gang. Now let’s take a look at how to use him and also see what the scruffy little devil can bring to the table in terms of combat effectiveness.
How to Head Butt
It may seem silly to some that I have to explain how to do a head butt but you’d be surprised how many people don’t know how to do one properly and without injuring themselves as well.
One of the main reasons the head butt has gotten such a bad rap is because people with no experience or training often try to use it and end injuring themselves in the process. I’ve seen people run in and smash their nose on the forehead of the person they were trying to head butt in a kind of reverse head butt technique were they end up the injured party instead of their opponent.
A surprising number of people have no idea what part of their head to use when doing this technique. Do you use the forehead? Do you use the top of the head?
The correct spot on the head that you use to strike with is the spot right around were the hairline would be at the very top of the forehead. Going a bit higher is okay, though not desirable. Obviously, in a real situation, when the pressure is on, mistakes can happen. Just try to make sure you don’t go any lower than the hairline spot, say above the eye brows, because then you can split your head open and end up bleeding down into your eyes which will of course put you at a distinct disadvantage.
You can practice the head butt as you would any other technique, by using the heavy bag. Incorporate it into your movements along with your punches and kicks, making sure to connect with the right part of the head all the time.
Another good way to practice it that I have found is to simply hold your hand out in front of your face (about where an opponents face would be) and to throw a head butt at the palm of your hand. This gets you used to hitting with that part of your head and also what the impact feels like (to an extent).
After a while using the head butt will become second nature to you and you will find yourself with another superbly effective weapon in your arsenal.
And just in case you need further assistance, watch this video.
But before we go any further, I feel I must warn you about hitting the bag with too much force while your practicing this technique as doing so can cause neurological damage over time. When practicing with the bag concentrate more on closing distance and getting into position. A simple tap against the bag is enough for practice sake. It’s a simple enough technique anyway and you shouldn’t need to practice it that much. Just watch the conntact though, for as a wise person once said, you only get one brain!
The Three Main Advantages of the Head Butt
1. The head is hard and heavy. The human head is basically very similar to a bowling ball in terms of size and weight and because of the thickness and density of the skull it is also nearly as hard as a bowling ball as well. So imagine a bowling ball smashing into your nose or forehead and you get some idea of how devastating the head butt can be.
2. You can throw it without any preparation. Unlike a kick or a punch you can throw a head butt without having to wind it up first and risk telegraphing it. You can literally throw it out of nowhere, giving you the vital element of surprise. As a pre-emptive strike it works quite well in this regard. If you’re facing of to an opponent, you put your fence up and then choose your moment to step in and let loose with the head butt. Very few opponents will still be standing after a solid head butt, especially if you connect with their nose.
3. You don’t need to use your hands or feet to head butt. This is my favourite advantage of the head butt. Your hands can be tied behind your back and you can still throw an effective head butt. This means if someone grabs your arms or grips you in a bear hug then you can still defend yourself. Even if you are grabbed from the back or side you can still use it by changing direction. The only thing you have to watch for is your opponent deciding to head butt you first. Even on the ground in a grappling situation (not ideal, but it can happen anyway) you can head butt effectively no matter what position you are in and especially if your arms and legs are tied up. What other weapons would you have besides your teeth? None.
Make Friends with the Head Butt (It Might Just Save You One Day)
I hope after reading this article that you can set aside any preconceived ideas that you may once have had about the humble head butt and can now view it as the superbly effective and versatile technique that it is. There aren’t many techniques that will pull you out of a hole in any situation but the head butt is certainly one that will. Get to know it and make it a vital part of your arsenal.
And like that scruffy little school yard scamp, it won’t bite (well, only sometimes!).
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