Some small tips:

1. When you're getting started, messing around in single-player, try acting out the move you want to do in real life, figuring out what joints are doing what, then translate it into the game's controls. Eventually, you'll have a good understanding of how each joint moves, and what that will mean for your tori.

2. When your joints are set to move, you will notice the sphere of your joint turns into two semispheres, one larger than the other. The larger one points in the direction of momentum transfer, and so your character will (generally) move in that direction. Use that to understand which joints to move while attacking, dodging or in the air.

3. Don't just move your joints in an effort to attack the other player. See where he is, and what opportunities he has to attack, and try to counter based on that. One of my favorite ways to counter an expected attack is to spin and "coil up" in a way that moves most of my body away from the attack I expect, then release that and spin the other way, hitting him hard.

4. If you seem to have no leverage, and no way to hit your opponent, you can always kick or punch the ground. If done correctly, that will bounce you in another direction, allowing you to change your momentum. Wushu players are very good at this.

5. Toribash movement has huge amounts of possibilities, as you can just control your muscles. Just remember that there are some muscle groups missing from the game, most notably the ones responsible for rotating your arms and legs, so your knees and elbows will always move the same way in relation to their respective limbs. This makes a true 'punch' very difficult, as that relies on your elbow extending while your arm rotates.

6. And the best advice I can give you: DON'T TRY TO COPY OTHERS. Doing that can give you some good ideas as far as opening moves are concerned, but the majority of the game is decided by who has the better understanding of how to move in mid-fight. Someone who copied an opener from the best player in the world may have a ferocious first two turns, but after that will be cake.

If you ever want to spar or something, i'll be up for it. Just send me a message! Oh, and remember that I haven't played in a year or two, so i may take some time to warm up again.

Good luck, and happy bashing!