Head Butting

© COPYRIGHT 2010 BY BRADLEY J. STEINER - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Sword and Pen – October 2010 Issue

[Reprinted With Permission]

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ONE of the most powerful and devastating surprise blows that may be delivered in a close-in attack situation is the head butt. Not everybody likes head butting, but no one who is training for practical self-defense can afford not to learn head butting. It is important, valuable, practical, and may be executed with good results by anyone of any size — including women and children.

Whenever an adversary moves in close - which is almost always, if he gets the chance - a smashing head butt into his face will at the very least stun him for sufficient time to followup with stomp kicks, chops to the throat or neck, elbow smashes to the solar plexus or sternum, uppercut punches to the solar plexus, knee blows or front kicks to the testicles, etc. Whenever seized from behind in a body hold ("bear hug") over or under the arms, snapping your head back into the attacker‘s face is an excellent move to make, among others (like kicking or elbowing back, or/and grabbing the testicles), etc.

We do not recommend using the head as a battering ram against the abdominal area, although it is true that this might sometimes be an effective action. Our objection to this particular use of the head is that it leaves you open for a knee to your face or a blow to your skull or brain stem, as an attacker who is sharp might well react speedily as he sees you coming.

A proper head butt cannot be defended against. When for example, a body hold is applied from behind the assailant is completely open to having his face smashed with the back of your head — and there is no avoiding the blow if it snaps into him without warning.

From the front a head butt must be applied very close in; almost kneeing distance (i.e. practically body-to-body). You look your adversary in the eye and then suddenly snap you head forward to look at his belt, as your forehead bashes him in the nose. Be extremely careful to avoid bringing your head back before butting. Just look at his belt and let the butt strike him without warning.

By overlapping both palms quickly behind the adversary‘s head or neck, the head butt is increased in severity. In some circles this has been referred to as the "Danish kiss". We like to follow it up, when we do it, with a sharp knee to the adversary‘s testicles.

When seized by more than one opponent, close in, smashing into one or more with a head butt can be effective. Not only the front and back of the head, but also that part of your skull above and about an inch or two to the rear of your ear is a powerful striking surface.

Always head butt by getting your entire body behind the blow. Don‘t "flop" your head back or forward by relaxing your neck. Your neck should be tensed, and your body should be smartly driven behind the head butt in a smooth motion.

Some tips for developing the head butt:

• Never practice on a hard surface (makiwara, etc.). Use a heavy bag or other padded striking aid that gives completely with the butting action. You should not try to "build up" the striking surfaces of your head as you might build up your hands and your elbows, etc.

• NEVER use head butting to break objects (boards, etc.). Not only is this a completely unnecessary practice, it may be hazardous.

• Make full defensive as well as offensive use of head butting. Lace it into counterattacks and attacks whenever possible, if you find that the technique is to your liking.

Do bear in mind that powerfully delivered head butts are extremely dangerous and must be employed only in legitimate self-defense. This makes them valuable, of course, but it also places a requirement for discretion and sound judgment upon the shoulders of all who develop the technique — exactly the way all serious combative skills impose a demand for maturity, judgment, and sound reasoning in every student and teacher who trains in the methods.