No Structure. No Plan. Just Injury: Brannon Snead’s Warning for Pitcher Development
Former college pitcher Brannon Snead shares how a lack of structure in his college pitching program led to injury—and what coaches must learn to prevent the same outcome for today’s athletes.
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4/3/20252 min read
When there’s no plan, athletes suffer
When coaches lack structure, athletes suffer.
That’s not a theory—it’s a real story from former college pitcher Brannon Snead, whose development was derailed during his freshman year at Tallahassee Community College (TCC). What should have been a critical period of growth turned into a frustrating and painful experience, all due to one glaring issue: there was no structured pitching program in place.
“I think my biggest disappointment was showing up at TCC and realizing—there was no structured pitching program.”
Without a development plan, arm care system, or individualized coaching, Brannon got injured early in his college career. That experience still shapes his philosophy today as a coach, mentor, and advocate for proper pitcher development.
What are your thoughts, have you ever had someone try to change something you did naturally? Drop your response in the comments of the video, we'd love to hear from you.
The danger of mechanical overhauls
One of the most harmful mistakes coaches often make is trying to change an athlete’s natural mechanics without context or understanding. Brannon’s experience showed just how risky that can be.
“When you really start changing someone’s mechanics after they’ve thrown a certain way for years… that’s just a risky thing.”
Young pitchers aren’t robots. They can’t all be trained the same way. Trying to force a uniform delivery can backfire—creating new stress on the body and increasing the risk of injury.
The value of individualized coaching
Brannon contrasted his time at TCC with his later coaching experience under Mike Posey, who believed in working with an athlete’s natural strengths instead of forcing them to fit a template.
“We never changed a kid’s mechanics. If he was naturally a side-armer, we didn’t try to make him throw over the top. We just helped him become a better side-armer.”
That’s what true development looks like—enhancing what’s already there, not stripping it away.
Outdated training = broken bodies
Beyond the lack of a pitching plan, the general training environment at TCC was also lacking. There was no sport-specific programming, no velocity development system, and no modern approach to arm care.
“Back then, it was just ‘go run to the sing store and do some sit-ups.’ That was the extent of it.”
That might’ve passed 30 years ago—but it doesn’t cut it now. Today’s pitchers need structured lifting programs, recovery protocols, mobility work, and guided throwing progressions to stay healthy and perform at their best.
Why this still matters today
Brannon’s story isn’t just about the past—it’s a warning for the present. Too many programs still operate without structure, without individualized coaching, and without a clear plan to protect pitchers. Injuries are rising. Arms are breaking down. And often, it’s avoidable.
At Sore to Soaring, we emphasize quality coaching, long-term development, and individualized training systems—because athletes deserve better than trial-and-error coaching.
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Disclaimer:
The views shared are those of the guest and do not represent an endorsement by Lupos Initiative Inc., DBA Sore to Soaring. This content is for informational purposes only and not medical or training advice. Always consult a qualified professional before starting any exercise or throwing program. No affiliation or compensation exists between Sore to Soaring and any for-profit entity mentioned
If you wish to learn more about Brannon Snead’s work, visit: peterboulwaretoyota.com.
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