Hannah Shaw

Responsibilities

During my intership, I worked as a strength and conditioning intern with several Division I athletic teams, including women's soccer, women's volleyball, men's golf, softball, diving, and tennis. My responsibilities included setting up and breaking down lifts, leading warmups and cooldowns, assisting with movement prep, leading individual conditioning sessions, observing athletes' lifting technique, cueing proper form, working one-on-one with return-to-play athletes, and helping coaches monitor progress. I also contributed to data collection during women's soccer games using Catapult GPS technology. I had the opportunity to assist with using VALD to monitor the athletes' jumps before each lifting session.

Accomplishments

My greatest accomplishment was working one-on-one with a female athlete who is recovering from an ACL tear that had healed without a full reconstruction but required surgery to clean up the tissue. I helped her regain confidence in her swuats and lower body strength by closely observing her mechanics and providing feedback to reduce compensation and asymmetry. Seeing her progress and return to training with more control and strength was a highlight of my experience and showed me the importance of individualized coaching in return-to-play scenarios.

Learning experience

One of the greatest lessons I learned was how valuable clear and timely communication is when coaching athletes, especially those recovering from injury. I also learned how important it is to observe movement patterns closely and be proactive about making modifications based on individual needs. Finally, I gained a better understanding of the behind-the-scenes planning and structure that goes into running effective strength programs across multiple sports.

What advice would you give?

Be present, ask questions, and be willing to step up when opportunities come your way. Even small tasks matter and contribute to the team's success. Don't be afraid to speak up when you notice something in an athlete's movement, coaches appreciate thoughtful input, or when you catch something they missed. Most importantly, build relationships with both the athletes and the staff. That trust will allow you to have a bigger impact and learn more along the way!