Contracted and relaxed together could be a difficult style to grasp so early in the game. If the problem is that he doesn't know how to stay on his feet and keeps falling to DQ, then trust me, holding all and clapping will keep you alive for a couple more turns. Btw, was the custom belt player that you mentioned EnTrance?
Yeah, I would listen to toxic.
EnTrance is just a guy who bought qi to get custom belt, so he has way less experience than toxic does.
I don't think it's a matter of trust... if I have been lieing someone would had said so. I understand if you don't want to fallow my advice but it's coming from someone that has a decent amount or experience and skill. I'm not only telling you what works for me, but what works for the most skilled at the game.
Quick question, how many turns do your usual aikido games take? Starting out with relaxed knees and hips, that alone, makes you loose balance and makes you head straight for the ground. The problem is not saving relax or held, the problem is not getting to the point you have a hard time saving. A relaxed style will require you to save many more times and then that's where it requires experience and skill to save. Saving isn't something easy in certain situations. I fail sometimes to save just like everyone else does, avoiding those situations that's makes you a good player.