Paul Zaichik – Elastic Steel Front Kicks

The Elastic Steel technique of athletic training was developed by Paul Zaichik.
He had always wanted to learn martial arts as a youngster.
However, at the time, martial arts were illegal throughout Eastern Europe.
Paul, not wanting to waste time, trained in anything he could get his hands on.
He practiced anything slightly resembling Martial Arts.
He studied the defensive and offensive methods of fencing, wrestling, and boxing.
He quickly excelled in those sports.
Although strength and even flexibility were being developed, they were insufficient.
Paul quickly recognized that the power and flexibility needed for splits and kicking had to come from somewhere else.
He participated in gymnastics, dancing, and track and field.
Paul rapidly observed that, while most wrestlers, boxers, and fencers were flexible, they couldn’t execute full splits or raise their feet above their heads.
He knew it was fine because it was not required for their sport.
However, 99.99 percent of gymnasts and dancers can sleep with their legs in a complete straddle.
Paul used to practice martial arts.
He could throw 6 o’clock kicks and execute complete splits on command as a white belt.
Paul began experimenting after observing several advanced pupils who could barely kick to the head level.
Many Eastern European stretching and gymnastic methods were adapted to satisfy the demands of modern martial artists by him.
As more pupils practiced Paul’s techniques, they gained tremendous strength and flexibility.
Paul wanted to learn more after seeing how popular his invention had become.
He attended college and majored in Exercise Science and Nutrition at the Undergraduate and Graduate levels.
Simultaneously, Paul continued to explore, mixing current science with his personal experience.
Paul has created several ways throughout the years to satisfy the particular requirements of his students.
Elastic Steel was born by the combination of these approaches.