How do you *take* a proper headbutt

[Survivor]

YeLLa-TiGeR's post motivated me to ask a related question I was planning to write up: If you see a headbutt coming, how do you take it to minimize the damage?

First off, there are lots of different ways to headbutt -- from inside the guard, from a standing clinch, etc... The ones I'm thinking of are when 1)the guy has you in a standing clinch and you, being aware of the possibility, see it coming just before it lands or 2) they launch one during an "in-your-face" yelling match and you are aware of the possibility enough to know what's coming at you a split second before it lands. What do you do?

When somebody punches, you can "roll with it". Headbutts are quick, and moving your shoulders is way slower than the reaction time you're typically gonna get. Moving your head is quick, but could be disadvantageous. Turning your head, for example, saves your face but opens up your soft temple, a sensitive area, to a bashing.

Does anybody have general comments on the best way to receive a Glasgow Kiss?

I'd also like to see peoples' comments on HBs from other positions of course...

[Edited by Survivor on 12-09-2000 at 10:06 AM]

[Ryu (non-working password]

LOL...you don't.

Well, if you see it coming, you can move your face out of the way, and he'll catch the top of your head which may open him up, but it's risky, and not really worth it in my opinion.

If you see a headbutt coming and you are in position to do something, put your hand between his head and your face. Royce repeadedly did this Shamrock if I'm not mistaken. But...most of the time it comes down to how tough your skin is.

[Evilution]

I agree with Ryu. Use your hand to slow the momentum and minimize the damage is possible. But preferably get the hell out of the way or don't let it get that far in the first place.

[Bau13]

How do you take a head butt??

with pain!!!

[JohnnyS]

First off, never let anyone get close enough to headbutt you - always keep them at a distance with at least one hand.
If the headbutt does come, the best defense is to frop your chin to your chest. I've used this in fights and it has worked very well. It causes the guy throwing the headbutt to catch one himself off tghe top of your head.

[Patterson]

Johnny, why are you on a bjj forum if your rule is to never get close to your opponent.

[JohnnyS]

If you're in a confrontation with someone then you need to protect your own space. Geoff Thompson calls this the "Fence". The fence allows you to read your opponent and protect yourself at the same time. If I'm gogin to fight then I'll strike the guy first before grappling.