Coaches are always trying to improve athletic performance, and a great way to do so is through motivation. Motivation comes either externally or internally.
External motivation takes the shape of trophies, awards, or money; the reward comes from others.
When athletes are intrinsically motivated, they want to master the task at hand. These types of athletes tend to enjoy competition while continually improving their athletic abilities through learning, whether from coaches or veterans on a team. Essentially, intrinsic motivation leads to having fun while still maintaining a competitive edge.
There is one form of intrinsic motivation that I feel every athlete should strive towards: flow.