rugwithlegs

I read the original post as a tactical question. Some schools, particularly early on, can have a sharp dividing line between initiating, striking, and Aikido. It is common for beginners to be asked to stand still and wait for violence to happen in the context of kata, but this is limited and for training.

Not true of all schools. Check out Aikido Journal and some Iwama stuff on Nage initiating the technique, or YouTube a Tomiki match. Within the context of the dojo, respect the teacher.