Wrestling Drill Book [Paperback]

Dennis A. Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1991

This book emphasizes development of the seven basic skills identified by USA Wrestling: position, motion, level change, penetration, backstep, lifting, and back arch. Every drill is fully illustrated to make teaching fast and easy. Each drill also features a description that includes appropriate skill level, purpose, basic skills used, prerequisites for performance, procedures involved, coaching points, and safety concerns where necessary. Unique features of the book include an index that itemizes drills by area of emphasis and games - such as Mat Chess and Sumo Wrestling - that make practice fun and help keep wrestlers motivated. Plus all of the drills are designed to prepare wrestlers for actual match situations they're sure to encounter.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Whether you are a coach or a wrestler, this book will help you develop wrestling skills and techniques through the use of drills."

Bruce R. Baumgartner Olympic and world champion wrestler

"This book has given me a new source of drills and games to share with those in the wrestling public who want to be the best they can be."

Bruce R. Baumgartner Olympic and world champion wrestler

"Everyone who coaches wrestling should have this book."

Marty Williams Coach of four Illinois State Class A wrestling teams

"If one is wondering how to incorporate some variety or just some new ideas or drills into their practices, this wrestling book does just that. Coaches always want ideas on specific drills and now they are available in writing."

Dan Gable Wrestling Coach, University of Iowa

"A great reference tool for both the experienced and inexperienced coach to have available as a resource when planning practice or to use in developing new skills. [A] helpful book for all coaches as it combines basic skills with advanced techniques. A most helpful reference in introducing and explaining new drills and reminding coaches of drills they may have forgotten about."

Rich Lorenzo Head Wrestling Coach, Penn State University

"An excellently organized drill book for every coaching level, with emphasis on position, motion, level change, penetration, backstep, lifting, and back arch—the seven most important skills needed to achieve success. Drills are contributed by 41 coaches."

Scholastic Coach

About the Author

Dennis Johnson is a USA Wrestling Bronze Level-Certified coach who has coached high school wrestling since 1976. In addition, he has worked as a clinician in camp settings and directs his own camp in Warren, Pennsylvania. Johnson has studied wrestling in the Soviet Union at Moscow's Institute of Sport and Physical Education. He has also authored several articles on wrestling technique for Scholastic Coach magazine.

Johnson is a member of USA Wrestling, the National Wrestling Coaches Association, and the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association. He is a physical education instructor and wrestling coach in Warren County, Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers; 1St Edition edition (December 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880114010
• ISBN-13: 978-0880114011
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,026,724 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well organized idea book, October 17, 2000

By 

"bmartinko" (Louisville, KY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wrestling Drill Book (Paperback)

The book is organized into wrestling drills, games, and conditioning. A "drill finder" makes it easy to select drills for a specific technique being taught. Skill levels from peewee to college are provided as well as drills for folkstyle, freestyle, and greco-roman. Overall this book can provide many new approaches to prevent stale practice sessions. Not a book for an average wrestler, this is a coaches manual.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Has many drills for a wrestling team., June 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Wrestling Drill Book (Paperback)

This book is very resourceful for a wrestling coach. If you are looking for a book on wrestling moves, this is not the book for you. This book is practically useless unless you are a wrestling coach.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wrestling Drill Book, August 4, 2001

By 

Drew Hayes (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wrestling Drill Book (Paperback)

I recently got a book called "Wrestling Drill Book". The author is D. Johnson. It was published by. This is the single best book on wrestling that I have ever seen! I am a very tough critic when it comes to martial art and wrestling books and this book blew me away! It contains tons of drills, tactics, and technique details. The book is divided up into 8 chapters. The chapters are as follows:

1. Leg Attack Drills 2. Upper Body Attack Drills 3. Setups, Ducks, and Drags 4. Neutral Position Defensive Drills 5. Top Man Drills 6. Bottom Man Drills 7. Games and Mat-Related Activities 8. Warm-Up, Conditioning, and Endurance Activities

I recommend this book without hesitation.