Traumatic brain injury is one of the most common causes for chronic disability in young people. Despite this there are currently no widely available modes of therapy that would limit the extent of brain damage secondary to trauma. Therefore, new insights into the pathological mechanisms involved in head trauma possibly leading to the identification of new therapeutic targets are urgently needed. In order to attain these goals adequate animal models for traumatic brain injury are needed. In the following paper the authors will review the various animal models for head trauma and emphasize their potential strengths and weaknesses.