About
Ruth N. Nelson is an innovator, a teacher, a motivator, sports marketer, fundraiser and visionary who put athlete opportunities first. These attributes have come because of her 40+ years of experience that encompasses the following:
1. Successful coaching
16 years at the collegiate level: George Williams College, University of Houston, Louisiana State University and the University of Iowa with a total of over 500 wins.
She also had 3 University of Houston Players (Hyman; Crockett and Magers) start on the 1984 Olympic Team and was the pioneer in the recruitment of minority athletes in the 70s. 5-time Olympian Danielle Scott was part of her first junior club program in Baton Rouge, LA (Baton Rouge Volleyball Club).
In addition, Nelson was USA National Team Player, USA National Team Assistant Coach, USA National Team Technical Advisor, USA Junior National Team Head Coach, USA World University Games Head Coach and Dallas Belles Major League Volleyball Professional Team Head Coach and Head Coach of USA Volleyball Senior A2 Team (now the A2 Collegiate Team).
2. Innovations
GoKids Youth Sports (GKYSTM) Program which includes skills trainers certification online and on-site courses
Bring Your Own Parent (BYOP®) Program which includes instructor/trainer certification online and on-site courses
College-Bound Coaches Network (CBCNTM)
Collegiate Athlete Educational Program
Nelson Aquatics Resistance Training (NARTTM) Program includes instructor certification
MVP Specialized Training Program (Jump Like An Olympian)
Over the past 22 years, Nelson has specialized in training 4-10 year olds in her BYOP® Program. Ebony Nwanebu, All-American starter at USC & Texas, was one of Nelson’s first BYOP® players at age 4 1⁄2 along with her mother. Others have included Mary Kate Marshall, PAC 12 Freshman of the Year at Oregon State; still others have gone on to be successful at Cornell, Columbia, Binghamton, Barry, Belmont, Indiana Wesleyan, Newman, University of San Diego,Texas A&M and Cincinnati.
3. Nelson’s abilities
Analyzing individual fundamental skills and developing certification programs
Teaching effective decision-making and execution of tactics within game strategies
Unlocking athletes’ capabilities, developing their self-esteem and self-confidence and performance under pressure
Offering jump training (yielding increased height in jumps and improved performance without injuries)
Evaluating teams at any level of competition.
Expanding her Masters thesis of “Statistical Analysis of Passing and Serving" to gathering data for ages 4-10 in jumping by utilizing the VERT technology. In addition and as well as testing different sizes, colors, and weights for the new line of BYOP® volleyballs for 10U training and competition.
4. Honors
2014 she was inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame.
2013 Nelson was inducted into the University of Northern Colorado Hall of Fame as a 5-sport athlete.
2011 she received All-time Great Coach Award – Pioneer Division. In 4.
1996 she received George J. Fisher Volleyball Award for significant service rendered to the sport of volleyball for at least 20 years.
Nelson has also conducted over 600 presentations at various conferences, seminars, and workshops, worldwide. Topics have included developing college-bound camps; high school motivational speaking; successfully training youth in volleyball; becoming knowledgeable in the college-selection process; marketing the student-athlete; developing fundraising programs for nonprofit organizations, telecommunications companies, corporate cause-marketing programs and national sports governing bodies.
Her most recent, presentations have been at the AVCA Conventions and Art of Coaching Clinics. In addition, there were feature articles on BYOP® (Bring Your Own Parent) in AVCA’s Volleyball Coaching 2.0, Junior Volleyball Association (JVA) Blog, Sports Imports Blog as well as being featured in the first Coaching Wizard book released in December of 2016.
Nelson is humbled and honored to have had the opportunity to work with so many great kids and athletes. What has been most meaningful has been to take a moment and reflect on all the young women whom she has had the pleasure of teaching, coaching and mentoring and to see how far they have come ... they have become Olympians; they have become coaches; they have become teachers ... when they could not conceive of those possibilities!
Details
Athlete's age
Years experience
Photos and videos
Reviews
Karissa S.
Kelly H.
Gabby L.
Kaitlynn S.
Rachel H.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
At the present time due to COVID -19 i am ONLY training VIRTUALLY and IN-PERSON (but only on Sunday).
Each potential athlete must complete this 5-point assessment information inorder to be considered for training.
https://www.rnntraining.com/5-pt-assessment-trade.html
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS!
A. Your answer should be...they shouldn't!
Any player, regardless of their age or ability, should not be denied the opportunity to live their dream of becoming the BEST! Most importantly, every player deserves to have someone believe in them and to prepare them to learn all aspects of development including life lessons that provide them with a foundation of respect for their parents, knowledge about what it takes to become the best using their God-given abilities, and maintaining a positive attitude throughout their lives!
On this website you will find players of all ages (5-18) who have come to this one person to assist them and their parents by providing the best possible volleyball training, performance training, and the knowledge that is required for an athlete to play in a collegiate program that best fits their academic and volleyball needs.
Utilizing the training principals of DARE – "The Dedicated to Achieve, Repeat, and to Excel", players are able to meet their maximum potential even when a player or their parents are yet to recognize their true abilities.
Please take the time to review these player profiles and get to know these outstanding, young, aspiring players who have dedicated themselves to working hard in all aspects of their lives. God Bless each of their parents that have supported their kids desire to "DREAM BIG".
“Becoming the best you can be comes only after you have respected what your parents have given you.” ~ Ruth N. Nelson
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
For a limited time VIRTUALLY and you must be on an outside or inside court to complete this 5- Point Assessment for a 50 minutes is $175.00 which includes court time when i am available for court assessment (only Sunday).
Want an Expert to assess your volleyball skills and ability?
Ruth N. Nelson has designed a 5-point Player Assessment that will provide valuable information for any player who is striving for excellence. This assessment will assist with the important variables greatly influencing a player’s success and their potential for playing college volleyball. In addition to the assessment, Nelson will provide the tools to support your becoming a complete player striving for success
How did you get started teaching?
What types of students have you worked with?
Of Nelson’s 40 years in volleyball, 9 were in Houston of which 8 were at the University of Houston. She was arguably the first coach at the collegiate level to aggressively recruit the black athlete. Flo Hyman came to the University of Houston and was joined by Rita Crockett, Rose Magers-Powell, and Sherryl Moore. Their play and continued development brought immediate recognition to the university and Texas volleyball. In addition, she brought in the US National Team and co-hosted the Women’s National Team Tours for the purpose of exposing the community and promoting the sport. In the state of Texas, additional recognition came several years later with the Dallas Belles, the first women’s pro league volleyball team. The team provided increased exposure to the state of Texas as well as to high-level volleyball.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
First GKYS™ Certification Course for Skills Trainers:
GoKids Youth Sports™ (GKYS) was created and founded by Hall of Famer Ruth N. Nelson who has over 40 years of experience in volleyball. She has emphasized training kids and youth 12 and under over the past 18 years. She has also created an instructor/trainer certification for the Bring Your Own Parent (BYOP®) Program working with children ages 10 and under and their parents.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Be positive; respectful of your parents; willing to work harder than you have ever worked before inorder to become the best volleyball player while learning life lessons at the same time.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Three things that are the most important:
Discuss how and what you are doing to make the best grades in school possible
State what you are doing to stay healthy and injury free (include you eating, sleeping and exercises habits)
Tell them why it is important to enjoy and have FUN while learning to develop a love and passion for your sport.