Every Academy student needs to be familiar with a few things. The first thing they must know is the hand formations. The pictures below are all the hand formations that are used to create a jutsu. These are the basic hand signs others (like Naruto's Shadow Clone hand sign) is, what we call, an advanced hand sign, it's a hand sign or signs used to produce certain jutsus faster like haku's Crystal Ice Mirrors (you can see haku uses lots of advance hand signs for his jutsus just so that he doesn't have to replace each of his hand signs for basic hand signs). Also the longer the string of hand signs the better effect you get out of the jutsu due to having more time to concentrate chakra.
The second thing every Academy student need to learn is the elements of jutsu. The descriptions and pictures below will explain everything you need to know about it.
Jutsu, or skills/techniques, are the mystical arts a ninja will utilize in battle. To use a jutsu, the ninja will need to use his chakra. Chakra comes from two places. (1) the body energy inherent in your trillions of cells and (2) the mental & spiritual energy gained from exercise and experience.To perform a jutsu, the ninja will bring out and release these two energies. By forming handseals, the ninja is able manifest the desired jutsu. Because of the extensive number of hand seals and different combinations, there are thousands of potential jutsu to be discovered.
Based on which jutsu the ninja uses, the type and amount of chakra will be different as would the elements you would be to employ. The five main elemental styles are also the five names for the Five Great Shinobi Countries: Fire, Wind, Lightning, Earth and Water. Each ninja has the potential to better utilize one of these styles and potentially more. A special elemental detecting paper is used to determine ones type. The paper comes from trees which are specially grown with chakra. When the ninja imbues the paper with a portion of their chakra, the paper will alter to reveal one's type. The paper will rip in two for Wind, burn for Fire, become wet for Water, fall apart for Earth and crumple for Lightning. For example Kakashi is a predisposed Lightning type, while Sasuke is both Lightning and Fire for the Uchiha clan specialty.The five elements themselves form a cyclical strong and weak relationship against each other. The element of Fire is stronger than Wind, as the usage of Wind merely increases the strength of Fire. So if a Fire jutsu came up against an equal strength Wind jutsu, the Fire jutsu is more likely to win out. Wind in turn is stronger than Lightning. Lightning is stronger than Earth and Earth in stronger than Water. Water finishes the cycle by naturally winning out over Fire.
Katon, or Fire Element, takes the form of fire and flame attacks. These can be fire balls or extended flame throwing.
Fuuton, or Wind Element, takes the form of wind based attacks. These can be huge gusts or sustained wind storms.
Raiton, or Lightning Element takes the form of electrical and lightning based attacks.
Doton, or Earth Element, takes the form of earth and mud based attacks. These can be walls made from mud or the ninja maneuvering himself below ground to attack his opponent from below.
Suiton, or Water Element, takes the form of water based attacks. These can be walls of water used as shields or water formed into large striking jets.
Mokuton, or Wood Element, takes the form of wood attacks and defenses. The usage of this elemental style is a hidden technique unique to Shodai Hokage and others who possess his same exact genes. Mokuton is formed through the simultaneous usage of Water and Earth styles.
Hyouton, or Ice Element, takes the form of Ice attacks and defenses. The usage of this elemental style has been seen by Haku and ninja from Hidden Snow, however the manga has stated this ability was unique to Haku's bloodline. Hyouton is formed through the simultaneous usage of Water and Wind styles.The last thing every inspiring shinobi need to learn is weapons. I have a list of basic weapons that most shinobi use. Some are more advanced than other and some you can't use. (Ex:Hero's Water)
Shuriken
A common weapon, the shuriken is often kept in a holster on the leg or in a pouch attached to the belt.
Kunai
This throwing knife is one of the common weapons of a ninja. It is often kept in a holster on the leg in a pouch attached to the belt.
The Kunai can be used in conjunction with explosive tags and other weapons to form deadly combos.
Exploding Note
The exploding note is a piece of parchment paper which has script on it that serves to faciltate its explosive properties. The ninja can attach the note to another object such as a kunai or log. When the note is set it begins a slow burn which results in a large explosion.
Senbon (Needle)
The senbon was first used by doctors in acupuncture, it was then adopted by ninja and Hunter-nins to hit points on the body to cause death, deaden limbs or cause their target to fall unconscious.
Exploding Smoke Grenade
When the pin is pulled on this grenade, the result is a large explosion and the release of smoke. This allows the ninja to carry out their manuevers in secret.
Exploding Pouch
A variation on the exploding note, these small pouches can be attached to a target and then explode a few seconds later.
HyourouGan (Soldier Provision Pills)
When the soldier pill is swallowed, it allows the ninja to fight for several days without rest. The pill is full of proteins and a special stimulant that momentarily increases the ninja's chakra.
Windmill Shuriken
In its folded state, all four arms of the shuriken are folded together. When full unfolded the large shuriken can be thrown through the air causing great damage.
