Listen to the Referee
Referee commands are heard at all times — on your feet, on the mat, and between calls. When the referee speaks, you stop, you reset, and you listen. Respecting every official's call is not negotiable at The Forge.
The Forge Young Warrior Series
Competitors must be age 15 or younger, hold a white, grey or yellow belt, and weigh no more than 120 lbs. Every warrior steps onto the mat under JWWL / IBJFF rules with Forge exceptions that keep matches safe, fair, and rewarding for kids of every belt level. Read them, know them, and train by them before your first match.
NO LIFTS OVER 1 FOOT
You may never lift your opponent off the mat more than one foot. If a lift carries your opponent past one foot off the mat, the referee stops the match immediately. Keep every lift low, controlled, and safe.
No Slams
Slams are strictly forbidden — there are no intentional slams of any kind at The Forge. A slam ends the match on The Officials command . Takedowns must be placed, controlled, and safe for your opponent from start to finish. Maintaining control through the entire technique .
Register Your WarriorThe Highlights
- 01No lifts over 1 ft; no slams.
- 02Any GI color or branding.
- 03Age/belt-legal submissions only.
- 04Stop on tap or referee call.
- 05Clean GI; short nails; no jewelry.
- 06Check in/weigh in; respect officials.
The Score Card
Every match is scored on a live scorecard — takedowns, guard passes, mount, back control, and a submission-win bonus. The most total points wins the bracket, and every warrior who wins by submission takes home a $25 gift card on the spot.
Divisions & Matchups
Divisions are for ages 15 and under, white, grey and yellow belts, up to 120 lbs. If a competitor has no opponent, The Forge Child Safety Producer will call the family to discuss an appropriate division change or a credit toward a future event. Boys and girls compete separately, white belts remain in their own division, and any permitted belt combination requires parental approval.
Tie Breakers Are Done by Single Elimination
On the Mat
MEET THE OFFICIALS WERE THE RULES MEET THE MAT
MEET OUR OFFICIALS AND READ THEIR BIO
Head Referee — First-Degree Black Belt | House of Moons Jiu-Jitsu | Mat 2
Professor Tim Slape
13 years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a wrestling background, and a first-degree black belt under Professor Jaime Jara — Head Referee Tim Slape brings fairness, consistency, competitor safety, and clear rules to every match on Mat 2.
Event Referee — Brown Belt | House of Moons | Mat 1
Nima Nabavian
With a deep personal background across multiple combat disciplines, Nima Nabavian provides a steady, sharp, and experienced presence as a tournament referee. Six years of wrestling, a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and a black belt in karate — officiated across wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, and MMA cages, with fighter safety as the top priority.
Event Referee — Brown Belt | Felipe Bragao | Mat 2
Ismael Alvarez Bermudez
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, Ismael Alvarez Bermudez has trained under Professor Felipe Bragao since he was 13. A favorite coach among the kids, Ismael brings a relaxed, approachable teaching style and a talent for breaking down complex techniques into clear steps that young athletes can learn, practice, and master. His passion for teaching extends beyond the mat, with plans to become an educator after graduating from Berkeley. As an event referee for The Forge, Ismael brings competition experience, a sharp eye, and an understanding of young competitors to every match he officiates on Mat 2.
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Elena Torres
A composed mat official known for keeping competitors calm, explaining resets clearly, and placing athlete safety at the center of every decision.
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Daniel Kim
A detail-minded referee committed to consistent scoring, respectful competition, and creating a positive tournament experience for athletes and coaches.
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Andre Wallace
A steady presence on the mat with years of youth officiating behind him, focused on fairness, calm match control, and keeping every competitor safe.