Instructor/Founder

John has been training in Historical European Martial Arts since 2010 and competing since 2012. He co-founded Crossroads Swords in 2021 and has remained active as an instructor, competitor, tournament volunteer, and organizer throughout the Florida and broader HEMA communities. His teaching emphasizes decision-making, timing, distance, and helping students recognize effective opportunities for different techniques through pressure-tested drills.

John has medaled in competitive HEMA events, organizes the Steel Jam tournament series, volunteers with SoCal Swordfight, and has developed projects involving tournament rankings and competitive data. He also runs demonstrations and community events throughout Central Florida. Ask him about sword umbrellas.

Instructor/Founder

Will has been studying martial arts since his teenage years, and added HEMA to his experience in 2012, under the instruction of Mike Cartier in South Florida. After a break of several years, he came back to HEMA in 2021 with the founding of Crossroads Swords in Central Florida. Since that time, HEMA has been his sole martial focus, with the vast majority of his training concentrated on the longsword. Will also enjoys harnessing his expertise as a designer and fabricator to create and improve HEMA protective gear.

Instructor

Eric has been doing HEMA for over ten years. He is the author of The Use of Medieval Weaponry and the founder of Swordwind Historical Swordsmanship in Charlotte, NC. Competing across the east coast, Eric has medaled in cutting, paired forms, and sparring tournaments. He teaches multiple weapons across German and Italian traditions, including the longsword, sword and buckler, sword and dagger, sword and cape, two swords, sword and shield, dagger, spear, spear and shield, bill, glaive, halberd, and poleaxe.

Instructor

Alec has trained in martial arts since 2007, beginning under martial arts Hall of Famer Charles Ward in Muay Thai, submission grappling, Escrima, and Japanese swordsmanship. He later continued studying Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Krav Maga before shifting his focus primarily to historical weapons arts in 2018.

His HEMA studies began with Meyer and Fiore longsword and have since expanded to include Italian and Spanish rapier, smallsword, Scottish broadsword, and stick fighting. Alec has medaled across multiple sword disciplines, including gold medals in rapier and dagger and singlestick. He is also the author of La Academia del Sable de Luz and The Book and Blade.

Instructor

Current Charter Rep of The Saber Legion Florida, Former Olympic Sabre/Hema Coach at Swordmasters Fencing Club and Academy, Event Planner for the 2022 Sunshine State Games LED Saber Tournament Been involved in Modern Fencing sense 2016 with a heavy emphasis on Sabre that evolved to include Historical Saber in 2018. Medaled on two Modern Fencing Tournaments and hosted two hema tournaments under Swordmasters. Has been actively teaching the way of combat with LED Sabers sense 2017 under The Saber Legion. Has moderate experience teaching Longsword and Smallsword and has extensive experience teaching Saber, Singlestick, LED Saber, and most recently Spadroon.

Instructor

Instructor

Devon has had a lifelong interest in Medieval and Renaissance history, arms, and material culture, and began training seriously in HEMA in 2023. He has developed a particular interest in less commonly practiced systems and currently focuses on Philippo di Vadi’s longsword and Polish saber. His other favorite weapons include spear, partisan, and spadroon.

Devon brings an enthusiastic historical perspective to both study and instruction, with an emphasis on exploring sources and systems outside the HEMA mainstream. Outside of fencing, he is an avid home meadmaker, meat smoker, and LARPer—continuing his apparently determined effort to take the term “Renaissance man” literally.

Instructor

Chase grew up around martial arts, with early exposure to Shotokan Karate, boxing, and Judo, before beginning formal HEMA training at Crossroads Swords in 2024. He quickly developed a strong interest in historical fencing sources, particularly Philippo di Vadi’s longsword, which has become his primary area of study. His other interests include Italian rapier, Thibault’s rapier, Fiore, Bolognese fencing, and classical foil.

Chase has earned medals in rapier and longsword. His continuing study focuses heavily on historical interpretation and applying the tactical and philosophical ideas found in fencing treatises to modern practice.

Instructor

Caleb is relatively new to HEMA, but has been very passionate about learning and competing. It only took 2 major tournaments for him to take Gold in his division, and many have noticed his knack for understanding the most crucial components of fencing: Measure and Tempo. Caleb frequently advises on advanced techniques and concepts, while diving headfirst into new material, such as Italian Longsword. He even helped plan our current warm-ups! You’ll most often find him training hard for the next big tournament.

New Student Instructor

Robert has been a practitioner of martial arts since 2012 primarily in Kyokushin and Kendo. After joining crossroads swords at the behest of John Knoch he has taken a keen interest in learning Longsword of both German and Italian Traditions. Primarily he teaches beginner classes hoping help other gain strong foundations for their own martial journey.

Outreach and Research

Jeff discovered his passion for HEMA while on a mission in Germany, where he studied early high German that has been used in historical fight manuals. While going to UCF, he joined others in forming the Knights Melee (now known as Knights Blade) club on campus, where he developed curriculums and did some of his own translations. Since joining Crossroads, Jeff has been an enthusiastic presence dedicated to training and sharing what he’s learned.