Don't Just 'Give Them a Shot', Give Them a System

At some point in every internship, we say it:

“Let’s give them a shot.”

Maybe it’s on a quieter day.
Maybe it’s because you’re short-staffed.
Maybe you think they’ve “earned it.”

So you toss them a warm-up. Or let them run cooldown. Or cue one exercise during a group lift. It feels like a win. Like you’ve offered a developmental opportunity.

But here’s the hard truth:

Giving someone a shot isn’t the same as developing them.

One Shot Isn’t a System

Giving someone “a shot” is often:

• Unstructured

• Unprepared

• Unfollowed

We throw them into the fire. Then we move on. No coaching. No reflection. No follow-up.

That’s not development. That’s survival.

If your interns have to wait around hoping for a chance to coach, that’s a failure of structure. Not effort.

And if you only “let them” coach when it’s convenient or safe for you, you’re not building coaches. ou’re babysitting volunteers.

Development is a System, Not a Favor

A real internship doesn’t rely on good vibes and extra time.

It needs:

• Planned progression: Interns should know what’s expected of them week by week. Shadow. Assist. Lead. Reflect.

• Clear benchmarks: Let them know when and how they “level up” in responsibility.

• Intentional reps: Let them coach early and often, with real-time coaching and feedback.

• Reflection loops: You’ve got to build in time to review, process, and improve. Not just move on.

This is no different than what we do with athletes:
You wouldn’t hand a freshman your entire workout program and say, “Good luck.”
You progress them intentionally.

Why would it be any different with coaches?

Let Interns Build, Not Just Borrow

Too many interns go an entire semester mimicking someone else’s cues, language, and energy.

We call it “learning.” But really, they’re just copying.

Without room to build their own voice, style, and decision-making process, they’re not learning. They’re mirroring.

Instead, we should:

• Ask them to design warm-ups

• Let them lead movement prep

• Invite them to troubleshoot with athletes

• Challenge their decisions in real time (respectfully)

That’s how you create a thinking coach, not just a clipboard holder.

Structure Sets Them Free

You want autonomy? Confidence? Leadership?

Then give them a clear runway.

When interns know:

• What’s expected

• When they’ll get coaching reps

• How they’ll be evaluated

• What support they’ll receive

They’ll rise to the moment.
Not out of fear.
But because they know they belong in the room.

Structure sets them free to actually coach, not just survive the internship.