The Wrestling Drill Book »

William A. Welker, EdD, boasts 50 years of experience as a successful wrestler, coach, and official. He is a former Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) state champion and two-time All-State wrestler. As head sophomore coach at Wheeling Park High School (West Virginia), he was instrumental in producing three AAA state championship teams. Since 1974, Welker has written nearly 500 articles on the art and science of wrestling and published a computer-assisted training manual for scholastic wrestling referees titled Wrestling: Sports Officials Applied Skills and Knowledge Program. He was selected as the National Wrestling Sportswriter of the Year by Wrestling USA Magazine in 1987, and he has been chosen as the West Virginia Wrestling Sportswriter of the Year an unprecedented five times by the state coaches' association.

Welker is a member of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (Bernie Romanoski Chapter) and the Pennsylvania District IV Wrestling Hall of Fame. He has served as a clinician and rules interpreter for West Virginia since 1989. In 2001, he was honored as a Distinguished Official by the National Federation of State High School Associations, being one of only eight officials selected annually from all sports across the country. He was also named the 2002 National Wrestling Official of the Year.

Welker received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. He later earned a doctorate in the field of education from West Virginia University. Welker and his wife, Peggy, have 4 children and 10 grandchildren. They reside on Wheeling Island in Wheeling, West Virginia.

A wrestler's ability to execute his moves quickly and instinctively is often the difference between winning and losing a match. Drills are the most effective practice activities to use to ingrain the instinctive actions and reactions essential for wrestling success.

The Wrestling Drill Book includes match-tested drills, carefully chosen by coaches who are experts in the specific techniques and tactics they cover. Each drill is described in detail with illustrations, modifications, and coaching points for maximum effectiveness. Beginning with essential movement drills and progressing to takedowns, escapes, reversals, rides, and pinning combinations, the book addresses each fundamental that wrestlers must hone in order to become champions. A customizable practice plan demonstrates how drills can be combined and sequenced for the ultimate wrestling workout. Make practice time productive time. The Wrestling Drill Book is an essential manual for success on the mat.

Chapter 1.   Essential Movement Drills Chapter 2.   Takedown Drills Chapter 3.   Escape and Reversal Drills Chapter 4.   Riding to Pinning Combination Drills Chapter 5.   Advanced Pinning Combination Drills Chapter 6.   Conditioning Drills Chapter 7.   Effective Practices and Off-Season Activities