What is a defining characteristic of active restraints?

The defining characteristic of active restraints is that they require physical intervention and strength. Active restraints are techniques or methods employed to control a person's movement through direct physical contact, utilizing the responder's body to apply force or hold the individual in place. This contrasts with other forms of restraint that may not involve direct physical interaction or may rely solely on the threat of intervention.

Such techniques are essential in situations where there is an immediate need to control a person for safety or security reasons, particularly in the context of crisis management or self-defense scenarios like Aikido. By employing physical intervention, active restraints enable responders to manage a situation more effectively, ensuring that both the individual being restrained and the bystanders remain safe.

In this context, the other options do not accurately describe the essence of active restraints. Verbal communication alone does not qualify as a method of restraint. Preventing movement without assistance pertains more closely to passive restraints, while passive and non-intrusive approaches lack the direct physical engagement that defines active restraints.