Elite-Level Diving Coach | MSc Coaching Science | CSCS

John L.

I have spent nineteen years coaching competitive diving and swimming at levels ranging from age-group development through NCAA Division I and international competition. Over that time I have worked one-on-one with athletes as young as eight and as advanced as national-team qualifiers, building technique from the ground up while also refining the finer points of performance for experienced competitors. My coaching has taken place in a wide range of settings, from daily practice sessions with individual athletes to structured team programs, and I currently hold a 49 percent ownership stake and advisory role with a diving club, where I continue to shape training programs and mentor coaching staff.
My academic background supports this practical experience directly. I hold a Master of Science in Coaching Science from University College Dublin, where my studies focused on the science of skill acquisition, athlete development, and performance analysis. I am also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA, which allows me to design safe, effective strength and conditioning programs alongside sport-specific technical instruction, and I hold an ISAK Level 1 certification in kinanthropometry, giving me a strong foundation in body composition and physical assessment as it relates to athletic performance.
My teaching approach centers on breaking complex physical skills into clear, sequential steps, adjusting my explanations and pacing to the individual in front of me rather than applying a one-size-fits-all method. Whether working with a young athlete learning a skill for the first time or a college competitor refining technique under pressure, I focus on building understanding of the underlying mechanics so that progress continues even outside of our sessions together.