The Taijutsu Technique From Naruto That You Can Perform In Real Life

Naruto has produced some of the most damaging and interesting techniques ever seen in anime. For instance, the series features the reality-warping illusions of genjutsu techniques as well the Nature Combinations that produce devastating attacks based on natural elements like fire or water. But sometimes, all anyone needs in Naruto is a good punch or kick attack to clinch the win, and for that, characters can rely on the various hand-to-hand taijutsu attacks. What's really impressive, however, about taijutsu techniques in Naruto is that a lot of them are based on actual martial arts. That means if anyone wanted to kick like the 5th Hokage and Legendary Sannin member Tsunade, it's actually possible.

Tsunade's signature taijutsu technique, The Heavenly Foot Of Pain, made its debut in Naruto manga Chapter #163 during a fight against Orochimaru and Kabuto. In the battle, Tsunade leaps into the air while also raising her heel well above her head. She then quickly swings her heel down, and if she hasn't completely obliterated her target, she at least leaves a massive crater in the ground. It's impressive how much damage this attack does. But while amazing to behold, it's surprisingly actually possible for a person to perform this taijutsu technique in real life.

The Heavenly Foot Of Pain may be a cool name for an attack, but as this CBR article highlights, it's also a fancier name for what's known as a jumping or flying ax kick. The beauty of the technique is that essentially gravity, balance, and the heel of the foot are all combining for an impressive attack. This is a technique featured in real-life martial arts like Taekwondo. The main root of the attack is an ax kick. As noted in Taekwondo Nation, when it comes to ax kicks, the goal is to think of the leg swinging down like an ax. The heel is used to come down on either the opponent's head or collarbone. Once the standard ax kick is mastered, the jumping portion of the attack comes into play. And as this Howcast Taekwondo video notes, the key point to remember when adding in jumping is to keep the upper body well-balanced, jump from the back leg, and keep the toes pointed up. Flexibility also helps a lot.

Now, the attack won't leave a crater on the ground or instantly win Hokage status. But if successfully performed, it'll definitely look way cooler than ninja running.