The headbutt is a superb self-defence tool to have ready. In this video lesson I show a method that delivers a great deal of power at very close range.

This one is for anyone who wants an answer when an attacker is right in their face, grabbing them or pulling them in. At that distance, your hands may be tied up, but your head is always there.

Why The Headbutt Matters

Most real attacks happen close. People grab, push, shout in your face and pull you around. Many martial arts train at a distance where there is room to punch and kick, so when an attacker closes the gap those tools can be hard to use.

The headbutt works exactly where they stop working. It needs no space, it comes from a position you are probably already in, and the attacker rarely expects it.

The Principles Behind A Good Headbutt

A headbutt is not about swinging your head on its own. Done that way it is weak and risky for you. The power should come from the body:

  • Use the whole body. Drive from the legs and hips, not just the neck
  • Strike with the hard part. Use the strong upper part of your forehead, never your face
  • Hit soft targets. Aim for areas that are weaker than the part you hit with
  • Keep your neck firm. A loose neck wastes power and can hurt you
  • Pull the target in. If you have hold of them, bringing them into you adds a lot

Common Mistakes

The biggest mistake is hitting forehead to forehead. You are as likely to hurt yourself as them. The second is a loose, nodding motion with no body behind it. The third is thinking one headbutt ends everything. Use it to create an opening, then get away.

Train With Control

The head and face are dangerous targets. Practise the movement slowly and with control, on pads or a bag first, and only work with a cooperative partner at very light contact. Never practise full-power headbutts on a person.

The Law

A headbutt is a serious use of force. In self-defence any force must be reasonable for the threat you face, so this is a tool for genuine danger, not for settling an argument. Avoid trouble whenever you can.

Take It Further

For a complete close-range system, see the Pressure Point Self Defense Course. If your job involves dealing with aggressive people up close, the PPDT Online Course is built for police, door staff and security.