The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.
When you discuss any type of a response to a violent encounter, you need to think in terms of using the correct tool for the situation. To stand here and say that every individual who is confronted by an armed assailant should react in a specific manner would be unrealistic. Our training offers us a variety of tools to utilize in our lives, and prudent persons should have a wide range of options at their disposal. If your training has centered only on unarmed, standing techniques, maybe you should expand your training to include combat on the ground, or in confined surroundings. In all of my police and budo training, I never anticipated that I would have to try to fight a drugged-up male suspect, while standing in the bathtub of his home - but it happened! Training should include all defensive ranges, and in different surroundings.