Coach’s Dilemma: Trusting a Fresh Arm After Surgery

📌 “He’s not even throwing yet. He’s not in the rotation. Why would we start him?”

Coach Leo Young had every reason to play it safe. Brannon Snead had just come off Tommy John surgery. His recovery was going well, but he wasn’t back to full volume, and certainly not game-tested.

But when a player broke curfew the night before a critical doubleheader against Manatee Community College, the plans changed. Drastically.

And so did the pressure.

Would you trust a recovering arm to start against one of the best teams in the state? Drop your comment in the video section, we'd love to hear from you.

When the Plan Breaks Down, the Gut Steps In

As the team took BP that morning, Coach Young watched Brannon shag fly balls—quiet, not expecting much, totally under the radar. Then Coach McLeod walked over and tossed Brannon a ball.

“Warm up. You’ve got 15 minutes.”

Young admits it: he was nervous.

“I was like, are we really doing this? That’s an elbow. That’s a young elbow. He’s not in the rotation, he hasn’t thrown live, and we’re putting him out there against a national powerhouse?”

But it was done. And there was no turning back.

Coaching Through Doubt

Every coach has faced it: that moment when you’re forced to make a judgment call that feels bigger than the game.

You weigh: – What the surgeon said
– What the athlete says
– What your gut says

Then you look at the moment… and sometimes, you just have to trust.

Brannon didn’t just survive the outing—he dominated. Seven innings, three hits, no hesitation.

“He went out and shoved,” Leo says. “It was the best call we could’ve made—and one of the riskiest.”

The Line Between Caution and Confidence

This wasn’t about breaking rules or pushing through pain. Brannon was cleared. He’d done the work. But there’s a difference between being medically ready and mentally ready—especially against a lineup like Manatee.

What Leo saw that day wasn’t just pitching—it was proof. Proof that Brannon’s head was as strong as his arm. Proof that readiness isn’t just physical.

🔑 Key Takeaways

✅ Return-to-play decisions require more than a medical green light
✅ Coaches must balance instinct, timing, and long-term health
✅ The mental readiness of the athlete is just as important as the physical
✅ Trust between coach and athlete is built before game day
✅ A coach’s call can change a career—or protect one

How Sore to Soaring Supports Coaches and Athletes Through Return-to-Play

At Sore to Soaring, we help both coaches and athletes navigate the tough calls—especially after injury. We believe comeback decisions must be structured, informed, and collaborative.

Our programs focus on: – Return-to-play readiness frameworks
– Mental resilience and trust-building
– Athlete self-awareness and communication
– Tools for monitoring pain, performance, and workload safely

Because the coach’s gut is important—but it’s strongest when backed by systems.

🌍 Support Our Mission:
👉 www.SoreToSoaring.org

🎥 Watch the full podcast clip where Coach Leo Young shares this decision in real time:
👉 https://youtu.be/d_uNc_b9OQ0

⚠️ Disclaimer:
This episode is for informational purposes only. Any mention of a company, product, or business does not constitute an endorsement by Sore to Soaring. Always consult a qualified physician or health professional before making return-to-play decisions or altering athlete workloads.

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