Why I Love Slate (Again)

Slate:

How was Zidane’s head-butting technique?

Impeccable. Experts in self-defense and mixed martial arts say Zidane’s head butt was a flawless demonstration of the form. He positioned his feet close to his opponent and stepped into the blow, contracting his abdominal muscles to curve into the attack. He was also careful to keep his chin down as he approached, which helped him land the strike with the top of his head as opposed to his brow or face.

Great piece, but one slight problem though: Engber, tell me who these “experts in self-defense and mixed martial arts” are!

About the Author

Cyrus Farivar is an Iranian-American freelance technology journalist, radio producer and author, currently living in the city of Bonn, Germany. His book, "The Internet of Elsewhere" – about the history and effects of the Internet on different countries around the world, including Senegal, Iran, Estonia and South Korea – was published by Rutgers University Press in April 2011.