Training the Headbutt with Aliveness

[TheMightyMcClaw]

I've been browsing through old Bullshido threads about headbutting. While I found some good pieces of advice on the mechanics of how to deliver a headbutt (both standing and GNP headbutts), there wasn't too much on how to train in delivering them.
Since my general attitude towards sparring is the more variables in play, the more fun, I'd like to start discussion on how the headbutt can be safely and effectively trained with aliveness. It seems like a potentially useful weapon to have in one's toolbox, and I don't want to let to fall into the BS "too deadly for sparring" rhetoric.
Does anyone here know how headbutts are trained in Daido Juku or Bando? I've seen some pretty remarkable use of the headbutt in Daido Juku, and I would be surprised if those guys were just pulling them out of their hat on in the middle of the fight without ever practicing throwing them on partners in the dojo. For that matter, what about old-school Vale Tudo fighters from the days when headbutts were legal? Did these guys train in them as a part of their sparring?

[DerAuslander]

We just wear headgear & mouthguards.

[WhiteShark]

This is in the same category as fish hooking and eye gouging to me. Once you have position and foot work which is part of all the other aliveness training it shouldn't be terribly hard to head butt someone. Just like in grappling once you establish a dominant position you can do all the "d34dly" techniques that they don't allow in "sport" competitions.

[DerAuslander]

Seconding WhiteShark's comments.

As far as headbutt to the head, any entry to a muay thai style clinch is essentially a set up for a headbutt. If you're squamish about sparring with headbutts, just do clinch drills with simulated butting to keep that reaction present.

As far as headbutting to the body...just do it...

[DerAuslander]

Or you can use the Paul Vunak method. Have your sparring partners wear motorcycle helmets & let 'em rip!

[Vieux Normand]

Or you can use the Paul Vunak method. Have your sparring partners wear motorcycle helmets & let 'em rip!

Why stop at just the helmets?

Put 'em on sportbikes. At the signal they accelerate at each other, each rider passing just to the opposing rider's right while leaning his helmeted noggin out to the right, aimed at the opposing noggin. Heads collide, and whoever's still on their bike gets a cookie. If they're both still on, or both get knocked off simultaneously, a rematch is in order. Otherwise, no cookie.

It's the new jousting.

[Roidie McDouchebag]

^^^
Fantastic!

Anyway, to train them "alive" and actually understand the implications, just actually do it. It hurts like ****. Be prepared to bleed.

[DerAuslander]

^^^

Natural de-selection.

[Vieux Normand]

Well then, let's take it to the next level: bare-noggin bike-jousting.

Donate the helmets to some no-budget filmmaker for his next space epic.

[Kempo Chris]

either headbutt each other and endure the pain or wear a space helmet and then headbutt each other.