Philosophically, Aikido practitioners are dedicated to avoiding confrontation and neutralizing conflict. To avoid a fight, is one of the highest goals. Practically, the techniques taught in Aikido are designed to end a conflict with rapidity and permanence. If the attacker resists an Aikido technique, something will break or permanent damage will result. One of the characteristics of Aikido is that students do not train in techniques of attack.
All techniques are defensive.
As a result Aikido practitioners are not taught to punch, kick, or use weapons for attack purposes. Weapons practice is an important part of Aikido. Aikido practitioners study a variety of weapons including jo, bo, boken, and katana. Aikido is not taught through the use of kata in the traditional sense. Rather, from the beginning, students work in pairs.