AboutTom Trapp Expertise I can answer any questions pertaining to all levels of springboard and platform diving including : beginner lessons, intermediate, advanced, high school, Junior Olympic, AAU, Masters (Adult), Collegiate and Senior diving. Questions about training, technique, competitions, dryland training including trampoline and dry board.I can also answer questions about how to judge/referee diving events. I cannot answer questions about swimming (how to dive off a starting block) or SCUBA diving.
Experience 3 time U.S. Diving National Team Coach. Coached World, International and National Junior Olympic individual and team champions. Collegiate level experience (Junior College and Division I).Chairman, U. S. Diving Region 10 and Northern California Diving Associations. Professional diving referee, judge and meet director including U.S. Diving Junior and Senior Nationals, National Qualifying events and Division I collegiate events. Head Referee for the Big 12 and ACC Conference Diving Championships.Competition Director for past NCAA Men's Division I Nationals and numerous Pac 10 Conference Championships.
Organizations U.S. Diving. AAU Diving. Professional Diving Coaches Association.
Education/Credentials B.S. in Recreation and California Teaching Credential in Physical Education/Aquatics. U.S. Diving Safety Certified Coach.
Awards and Honors U.S. Diving National Award of Excellence.
Northern California Diving Association Coach of the Year.
U.S. Diving Region 10 Coach of the Year
Do you recommend any of the material listed in the usadiving website. In particular:
1)"preventive exercise program for competitive divers" (for flexibility and stranght training)
2) skill development clinic 1,2,3
or any other you may recommend.
about me: i am beginner diver and i am trying to improve techinique, flexibility etc.
I know about Hobie Billingsley's books (which i have) and wilkinson's dvd as you recommended but wanted to know if you were also familiar with the above mentioned material and if you would recommend it.
Thanks
Answer Dennis-
Yes I think it would be in your best interest to obtain these materials from USA Diving. Here are some other suggestions for you:
www.flipnrip.com - Click on videos at the top of the home page (if you have to register, it is free). At the videos page, choose ones that interest you. I suggest clicking on diving lessons and review the 6 that are offered by the coach from the University of Indiana.
www.diving.about.com - Lots of articles here by Woody Franklin that can help you understand the sport better.
www.amazon.com - In the search box, enter a book called 'Diving For Gold' by Ron O'Brien. You can get one for not much money at all. There is also a video of his book called 'Diving My Way' that you may also like. At this page, make sure you look for the one by O'Brien and not the books about panning for gold or SCUBA !
