hello there. So so In one detailed essay, described all you've learnt about Taijutsu. Create few scenerios while performing some of the technique to support you article.
Fuuu it came out as a wall of text. Tho I could still keep talking about it, I hope this is enough and more or less covers what you wanted.
Taijutsu means close quarters combat, a mode of fighting where the user uses his own body to attack, defend and generally act, while his opponent is right besides him, trying to land fatal blows. Whenever someone wants to use taijutsu to attack his opponent, first he has to reach him. That on it’s own is a different thing, so I won’t go into details. The important thing is HOW and WHEN the user should perform taijutsu moves, being it free form or actual jutsu. Since taijutsu itself possess more risks than simply using mid/long range attacks, the user always has to be extra careful about how he explains his moves. Giving as much details as possible, even about uninportant looking things such as where his toe is pointing could result in a pretty clear and fun fight. Even if that now looks uninportant, in a fight it could decide how the user can act in the next round. For example if he is looking at his right, he won’t be able to see incoming attacks from the left, resulting in him being unable to react. In short, more details results in a more clear and enjoyable fight.
Now going back to topic, how to use taijutsu. There are several styles, that are using several different sets of motions. However all of them are similar in 1 important detail. They can only "perform" moves that are "possible" for the human body. Meaning you can't twist your upper body with 360° if you are simply standing on the ground. They have to be "realistic". I'm using "" at some parts, since we are still talking about the Narutoverse after all and there could be times when these rules are rather, khm interesting. Anyway. Another important maybe the most important thing is the positioning. Distance from your opponent, positioning of your body and limbs, etc. all determines how you can act in a close combat situation. If you are too far to use your hands, you can still use your legs. If you are too close to use your legs, you can use your hands. If you are extremely close and can't even use your hands, you can still use your whole body. Kicks, hits, body throws, leg sweeps, pushings, etc. are all taijutsu moves. The basic taijutsu style is the Strong Fist, what is using rather simple, but if possible powerful moves. These moves are usually straightforward and not hard to counter, so if the user wants to fight, he should perform a lot of free form movements prior to the jutsu he wants to use.
Let's say for example I'm on the defense and my opponent attacks my side with a kick. I can simply use the (Kōsa Hō) – Intersection method to counter his move, by simply raising my knee and make an elbow hit from above, getting his attacking limb in a pincer and break it.
(Kōsa Hō) – Intersection method
Rank: B
Type: Defence
Range: Short
Chakra cost: N/A
Damage points: 40
Description: With this jutsu, the user is able to intercept and counter an oncoming taijutsu technique by raising the knee, and driving the elbow downwards at the same time. This catches the attacking limb between his two limbs, and drives the elbow down with great force, effectively shattering the bone.
However what if my opponent uses a prior movement? For example he can start a hook with his hand, but instead of landing it, he pulls his hand back right before it lands and instead by twisting his body, he makes a spinning kick to my side. With that prior movement he makes me defend my head and leave my side open, resulting in me not only getting a kick, but a kick that is powered up by a prior spinning. That also applies to me, if I perform prior movements, I could distract my opponent and make the jutsu land with better chance.
There is also a good side of taijutsu. Since it is extremely dependant on the free form part and how you explain your moves, you can use your environment more easily. Grabbing a stone from the ground, or kick dirt in your opponent's face or even using weapons can be done using taijutsu. There are also taijutsu moves that are specifically using ninja weapons during execution. However these are also harder to execute and have less chance to land. So the user still has to be extra careful how he performs these moves.
Let's say I'm using (Senkō Jūjiki) -Flash Cross Sever. This is still one from the easier taijutsu moves that are using weapons, but still a good example. If I say I hit my opponent 4 times randomly on his chest and then try to cut him, it won't make much effect. BUT if I say I hit his chin, his guts, his cardia and lower ribs and then while he is in pain and agony, I cut him down is a different story. He may have much more less chance to defend or counter my move, since his bio is in a critical state and not simply got hit randomly.
(Senkō Jūjiki) -Flash Cross Sever
Rank: B
Type: Attack
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 20
Damage points: 40
Description: The user delivers multiple punches to the foe before he slashes them with his chakra blades in a cross-style.
There is another good thing about some taijutsu moves. That is not all of them requires chakra or the full use of the user's body. There are some that only uses legs while the hands are free and the user can perform additional attacks/defenses/movements/jutsus. There are also some that can be used with other techniques being them elemental, raw chakra or any other.
One example may be these two. Let's say I get close to my opponent and with a fast movement get past his defenses and start (Hōshō) - Crumbling Palm. At the same time I'm doing that, I can channel wind chakra into my arm to prepare my next jutsu. Then at the same time my first attack lands, I use (Fūton: Jūha Reppū Shō) - Wind Style: Beast Tearing Gale Palm and send my opponent flying and deal serious damage to him. With a combination like this, I can make a simple and straightforward taijutsu move into a sure kill attack that could land even if my taijutsu move fails to hit.
(Hōshō) - Crumbling Palm
Rank: C
Type: Attack
Range: Short
Chakra cost: N/A
Damage points: 15
Description: The user strikes the opponent with a forwarding palm thrust.
(Fūton: Jūha Reppū Shō) - Wind Style: Beast Tearing Gale Palm
Rank: B
Type: Attack
Range: Short-Mid
Chakra Cost: 20
Damage Points: 40
Description: This technique is somewhat of an enhanced version of the Beast Tearing Palm. It used chakra to infused with and condense a mass amount of wind to form a massive demonic-like claw extending from the user's dominant hand to strike and grab a target, as well as deflect any weapon or attack. In addition to making it a deadly short to mid-range weapon, the extending claw also carries tremendous force that can devastate anything in its path without affecting the user, making it useful for dislodging solid and heavy objects.
Up until now I've been speaking about HOW to use taijutsu. But the WHEN is still a question. Most people on NB dislike taijutsu and always try to avoid it. If somehow the user still forces them into close combat, they most probably try to use Chidori Nagashi to finish off the user and win the fight in an instant. In these cases there are not much to do, but either fall back or try his luck. However there are cases when forcing taijutsu may have it's merits. Since taijutsu depends on a lot of factors like speed, strength, reaction time, etc. the side that is using taijutsu may land his attacks faster than the opponent who is using elemental ninjutsu. In these cases the user can easily get the upper hand in a fight and put the opponent into despair.
Another good time to use taijutsu when the opponents are using weapons. Fighting with weapons also depend a lot on free form movements, what is the basis of taijutsu too. In a kenjutsu fight for example adding taijutsu moves such as kicks, leg sweeps, body throws or even hits may allow the user a wider variety of movements and jutsus and also make the fight more enjoyable.
