When you hit your head on something (or something hits your head) there are two typical patterns of injury. The first is the coupe where the brain injury is directly under the spot that was hit. This usually happens when your head is stationary and something moving hits it (such as someone’s fist).

The second is the contre-coupe, which happens when your head is moving and hits something stationary (such as if you fall and hit your head on the wall or the floor.