Abstract: The invention concerns a drafting head for a drafting machine, with a gring member (4) having several actuating elements (6, 8, 10) arranged on the gripping member (4) and capable of being actuated by a hand of the user that is resting on the gripping member (4) for the purpose of executing various switching statuses, as for example, disengaging, free- (unrestricted) switching, secured braking (locking) of the normal side, respectively for releasing the locking of the normal side of the drafting head (1). Provided here is at least one actuating element (6, 8) for disengaging and/or free-switching of the normal side of the drafting head (1), and one actuating element (10) for locking the normal side of the drafting head (1). Actuating element (10) for locking is arranged on the gripping member (4) such that it rests against the inner surface of the ball of the thumb of the user hand resting on the gripping member (4).