I've done the same thing on the locked hands, put 'em on their feet the rest of the match. Or at least until you are able to get him in a locked closet somewhere and beat him until he agrees to not lock his hands anymore!!!!!

I think the kid needs a mix of both open and novice, then next year all open.

I have kids, as do probably all other coaches out there, that are identical to what you describe. We should not have to apologize that we have a great athlete. Now if that same athlet was working a bunch of advanced moves, different story.