A headbutt is a strike with the head, typically involving the use of robust parts of the cranium as area of impact. Effective headbutting revolves around striking a sensitive area with a less sensitive area, such as striking the nose of an opponent with the forehead. A misplaced headbutt can cause more damage to the headbutter than the victim.

Mechanics of the headbutt

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Headbutts can be used from close range such as from the clinch, or on the ground. They are typically applied to the head of the opponent since the head is often a readily available target, and has several sensitive areas. An effective headbutt can be performed with a forward, rising, sideways or backwards motion; each being effective from different positions. Parts of the cranium with thick bone and high local curvature make for good weapon areas, and these include the forehead near the hairline, the outboard curved part of the parietal bone, and the occiput. Ideal targets include the bridge of the nose, the cheekbones, the hinge area of the jaw, the temple, and the top edge of the eye socket. Hitting the opponent's teeth or mouth is likely to cause mutual damage.

Headbutts in combat sports and martial arts

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Headbutting is considered an illegal technique in nearly all combat sports, with a few exceptions such as Burmese boxing, Professional wrestling, and mixed martial arts competitions such as Finnfight. The reasons vary from general inappropriateness to the sport, or technical reasons. Headbutts are prone to cause lacerations, often deeper ones than from punchesSaurini, Jocelyn. The job of a ring doctor. www.braggingrightscorner.com. URL last accessed February 2 2006, and may lead to both fighters sustaining concussions.Pettifer, Ross. What is MMA - Background. www.cagewarriors.com. URL last accessed January 31 2006. Even though generally banned in sport application, several martial arts and self-defense systems do however include headbutting in the curriculum. In some rare systems, such as Eritrean Testa, headbutting is of major focus or is the sole focus.

Headbutts in Football (Soccer)

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Headbutting has recently received some attention due to its use by some players during FIFA World Cup matches. Headbutting is considered illegal in association football and is punishable by red card. In the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Luis Figo headbutted Dutch player Mark van Bommel in the Portugal vs. Netherlands Round of 16 match, receiving a yellow card for his offense. In the final match against Italy, Zinedine Zidane of France headbutted Marco Materazzi in the chest, for which he received a red card.

References

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Main references

Other references

External links

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• Headbutting for Self-Defense: The Conventional Wisdom is Wrong
• Self Defense: The Standard Headbutt

Strikes

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