As to the "throwing themselves" comment. That is always the hard part of aikido. If the person does the technique correctly, you throw yourself to avoid getting hurt. Also, many times, you "throw yourself" when the technique is applied to learn how to breakfall properly etc. The danger lies in the training when people throw themselves for no reason when the technique is not properly applied.
Please at least quote my full point, which is what you are asking.
As to your assumption, I don't buy it. There are somethings that come to mind about joint locks, like a wrist lock, and "real world" application. First, is when people tell you to apply something specific and you know what they are going to do and then can resist it. Yep, no problem! You are quite right that if you can't out muscle them it isn't going to work when you know exactly what is coming and you have the chance to resist it. Second, are those that "chase" after joint locks without a proper setup or opportunity. This is lock throwing out a block hoping that the other guy might punch at the same time so you can block his punch. Joint locks are counters to situations that present themselves, if the situation doesn't happen, you shouldn't be putting a square peg in a round hole. Third, ANY actual street confrontation will be based on the skill of the participants. You will have your basic "go to" moves that are high percentage moves and you will (or should) have things that will work for you when you are a lot more skilled than your attacker that are options.
Now, back to the first point that if you are resisting they don't work. Ueshiba even said that you should be striking (atemi) before applying any joint lock. How many actually practice this? I'm sure when you wanted to disprove the wrist locks, your partner didn't punch or kick you to loosen you up and take your mind of the joint lock. I do agree that many train things with only compliance and don't add resistance to their drilling so they don't raise their skill level up to use things. I have trained in dojos that it didn't matter how sloppy the technique was, the other person would just comply like it was an effective technique. I have also trained at places, that even during "cooperative training" if you didn't have everything done correctly, they wouldn't just allow you to apply the technique. You HAD to have your setup, off balancing, timing etc. all correct before you even got to the joint lock portion of things.
BUT, back to my initial premise. IF the wrist lock is done correctly and fully applied and carried out, the COUNTER to that is the roll. Watch BJJ players and you will see them doing rolls on the ground to counter the pressure being applied on certain locks/submissions. Same concept The roll is a trained response to counter and put you back into a position that you can defend. Nowhere do I say you HAVE to roll or your wrist will be broke, but if you don't release the pressure in some manner, you will be injured, which is why people "throw" (roll).
Where did I do that?
