Who here has used head butts?

Subject: Who here has used head butts? Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:15 pm

Hi Everyone,
Alrighty, who here has used head butts in a street fight/self-protection situation whether successful or not? If you have, I'm interested in your stories and the insights gleaned from the experience(s).

To start things off, I've only used a head butt twice in real-world situations. In both instances, they helped in victory. Now, one thing that comes to mind as I recall them, is that in one fight, while it damaged my opponent, it hurt me a little too 'cause I caught a bit of his forehead upon contact. In both cases, my adversaries were roughly at my height range. In one altercation, I executed a "free-movement" (i.e. unattached) head butt, in the other, I was in a clinch. One wasn't more effective than the other; they both were about the same in result. I don't recall if I had my tongue on the roof of my mouth and/or eyes closed as many head butting "experts" advocate; I just slammed the top of my head into theirs faces.

I've seen plenty of good (and bad) head butting footage on the internet, but in person, the most vicious one I ever saw was one in which the victor first shoved then pulled in his adversary into a devastating head butt from a two-handed lapel grab. He (the victor) hit his opponent's head like a shotgun blast and snapped his head back so violently that he was knocked the "F" out immediately. It was a devastating move that left an indelible impression on me.

I saw the above incident after my two encounters and coupled with being more studied about this skill over the ensuing years, I believe my head butts are much improved.

While I know that there is some inherent risks in using head butts in training and especially in real-world usage, it is my go-to weapon whenever my hands are tied-up/occupied. Their primary purpose for me is to allow me to free up my hands so that I can start blasting away with my palm shots again. They've proven their worth in this regard. Now, if they produce an even more devastating effect, that's icing on the cake for me. Wink

Okay guys, your turn. Please share any experiences and insights you have in this area. I'm interested in your thoughts. Thanks...

Take Care,
Lito
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The essence of true love is purposeful effort.

True happiness is attained through fidelity to a worthy purpose.

Winners take chances and perceive pressure as a privilege.

Whatever you believe, it's true.

Admin Joined : 13 Aug 2007 Posts : 177

I look at headbutts as starters for ten as Peter C. would say.

In a clinch I use them to free up my hands, and as a pre-emptive I use them to start the ball rolling for some big bombs to follow.

Mick Coup has a great analogy saying it's like using one egg to crack another and I think that needs to be addressed. You don't want to knock yourself out. A headbutt is foreign to many folks and can cause a great stun if an ideal line-up is not available for you. Example? Caught off guard, guys in your face, quick headbutt to nose causing him to recoil, then BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Jeff

Admin Joined : 16 Aug 2007 Posts : 232

I've butted and been butted.

On both sets of occasions the technique has been very effective.

I'm shorter than most though so I think that lends itself to an easier application of the technique. The upward angle and the practical guarantee that I will connect below the eye-line makes it a more viable option than for someone trying to deliver a butt at a downward angle. That would be crazy in my opinion.

I do think that culturally the US has a different view on the headbutt to the guys in Europe. From a very early age it forms part of our fighting knowledge and the main sport of the working class assists in developing the perfect technique. We simply are more comfortable with using the head and understand better the mechanics of how to do it effectively through many hours using it to direct a football around the pitch.

The only thing I would add is that if you are going to practice the butt then practice the bowling ball movement of the opponents head so you are connecting with the side of their face and not straight on. You pretty much negate the possibility of a nasty forehead to forehead clash by doing so.

Admin Joined : 13 Aug 2007 Posts : 177

The only thing I would add is that if you are going to practice the butt then practice the bowling ball movement of the opponents head so you are connecting with the side of their face and not straight on. You pretty much negate the possibility of a nasty forehead to forehead clash by doing so.

Good point.

Joined : 24 Oct 2007 Posts : 56

I have used it once to the bridge of the nose with success. The watering eyes, pain, etc. present a good opportunity to follow up with big strikes.

A friend of mine, who's fairly short, loves head butts.

Joined : 07 Nov 2007 Posts : 84

I have been accused of leading with my head in the ring, but I can only recall one instance where I intentionally did it outside the ring. Not too terribly effective as he lowered his head at the last second. OUCH

Joined : 30 Aug 2007 Posts : 47

Lito and Rusty:

Have either of you ever played football (ie, what Americans call soccer)? One of the reason that headbutts seem a very natural move to Brits is that we spend lots of time perfecting the mechanics when we play football as kids.

Here are a couple of great examples from Zidane, the French maestro:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yHsXYoPRwzs

http://youtube.com/watch?v=zAjWi663kXc

Rupert

Joined : 01 Sep 2007 Posts : 113

People also get used to using the head in our fair land because in one hand they have a bird in the other a drink! tee hee!!

Subject: Re: Who here has used head butts? Fri Jan 25, 2008 9:13 am

Hi Rupert,
Sorry for the late reply...

I have only played soccer (as we call it here) recreationally and that was a long time ago. When I did, I wasn't much of a head-butter. It wasn't one of my favorite sports.

Nice links to Zidane. I have seen that footage of his head butt to the chest before. I sure wouldn't want to be head butted by him.

Take Care,
Lito
_________________
The essence of true love is purposeful effort.

True happiness is attained through fidelity to a worthy purpose.

Winners take chances and perceive pressure as a privilege.

Whatever you believe, it's true.

Joined : 01 Sep 2007 Posts : 113

Most people that have been butted in a street altercation usually sport a nice clean scar across the bridge of the nose. And i must point out the fact that the head is a predominant factor in defensive american football! Ramming the head into an adversary should be done whilst wearing a crash helmet! A very good friend of mine who now lives in Australia was a master with his head and he too sports the scars to prove it but if its all you've got then its got to be done.
Take care
John

Admin Joined : 16 Aug 2007 Posts : 232

I saw a truly awesome headbutt on Friday night. The power delivered was phenomenal from a guy who was no more than 170lbs at most.

The shot landed and took the opponent completely off his feet. The cleanest KO I have ever witnessed!

I've always been a believer in the force the head can generate when correctly applied. Friday's events just re-confirmed and re-iterated the need to control the space, distance and timing of any altercation because I don't see anyone riding a shot like the one I witnessesed on Friday.

Admin Joined : 13 Aug 2007 Posts : 177

Where did this happen Chris?

Admin Joined : 16 Aug 2007 Posts : 232

It was in my local pub Jeff.

Just an alcohol fuelled argument that got out of hand. Two guys in their mid twenties.. both about 5' 10 and both about 170lbs.

Funny thing was (afterwards!).. the guy who delivered the headbutt didn't even spill his drink and when I stepped over he was quite calm and relaxed about the whole thing. Alcohol had definitely dulled the adrenal response but not the ability to deliver with precision and aggression.

Admin Joined : 13 Aug 2007 Posts : 177

Admin Joined : 13 Aug 2007 Posts : 177

Ok Chris, next question.

From what you witnessed, how did the fella deliver the shot (as far as mechanics and such goes) that you feel made it so effective?

Jeff