Ron O'Brien's Diving for Gold (Paperback)

by Ronald F. O'Brien (Author) "Good body alignment is the foundation of good boardwork, takeoff, execution, and entry..." (more)
Key Phrases: backward dive tuck, inward takeoff, reverse dive tuck, Lineup Platform (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Ron O'Brien, head coach of the U.S. Olympic team since 1972, has produced more champions and coached more Olympic, World and Pan-American teams than any other coach in diving history. In 1982 his divers won all four World Championship gold medals, and in 1984 and 1988 he coached Greg Louganis to back-to-back double gold medals. Now he shares his diving and coaching expertise in this book, which emphasizes the basic skills for the 1- and 3- meter springboards and the 5-, 7.5-, and 10-meter platforms. It also shows the author's ground-breaking formula for constructing the proper forward approach. This is the book for beginning divers who want to be champions.

Product Description
Learn diving from the world's premier diving coach.

Ron O'Brien, head coach of the U.S. Olympic team since 1972, has produced more champions and coached more Olympic, World, and Pan American teams than any other coach in diving history. In 1982 his divers won all four World Championship gold medals--an achievement that no other coach has equaled. In 1984 and 1988, under O'Brien's coaching, Greg Louganis won four Olympic gold medals, accomplishing the rare feat of back-to-back double gold medals. His divers have won more than 350 medals in national and international competitions.

After honoring Ron O'Brien as Outstanding Coach of the Year every year from 1979 to 1988, U.S. Diving named him its first national technical director. O'Brien is also director of diving for the city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

O'Brien is renowned not only as a coach, but also as a diver. A two-time national champion himself, O'Brien was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1988.

Now O'Brien's experience and expertise are available to you. Ron O'Brien's Diving for Gold contains the comprehensive information that divers need to develop from beginners into champions. The book emphasizes the basic skills for the 1- and 3-meter springboards and the 5-, 7-1/2-, and 10-meter platforms.

Ron O'Brien's Diving for Gold also shows you the author's ground-breaking formula for constructing the forward approach. This formula will help divers of all sizes and abilities create approaches like the champions.

Get an inside look at what makes dives work in Ron O'Brien's Diving for Gold--the book for divers and their coaches.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 183 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers (March 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880114487
• ISBN-13: 978-0880114486
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #439,711 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Have you ever not known what to tell your diver?, June 1, 2000

By	Brent Lorrilliere (USA) - See all my reviews

Well, if you answered yes then purchase this book. Even though it is written on an elementary level, Ron O'brien has the credentials to back even the most simple explanations of the sport. It is great for a beginner as well as an experienced coach because it shows the perspective of a true expert. I know from my own experience that diving coaches think they know everything, but if they took the time to study the sport on the most elementary level their divers will certainly benefit.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for every diver and coach, October 26, 2001

By	Eric E. Best (Birmingham, MI United States) - See all my reviews

Terrific fundamentals and explainations. My only question is about the teaching of back twisters which he shows in a different way in his videos. Most coaches teach the way in the videos, and most top divers do it that way. A terrific reference for the experienced and beginning coach. I've coached divers at all levels for 25 years and I still use it as a reference.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Have you ever not known what to tell your diver?, June 1, 2000

By	Brent Lorrilliere (USA) - See all my reviews

Well, if you answered yes then purchase this book. Even though it is written on an elementary level, Ron O'brien has the credentials to back even the most simple explanations of the sport. It is great for a beginner as well as an experienced coach because it shows the perspective of a true expert. I know from my own experience that diving coaches think they know everything, but if they took the time to study the sport on the most elementary level their divers will certainly benefit.