Play Up: The Mindset That Separates Pretenders from Performers
Some players chase comfort. Others chase growth. In this story, former college pitcher Brannon Snead explains why he used to wish for easy games—and how everything changed when he learned to lean into the hard ones. If your athlete wants to stand out, this mindset shift is non-negotiable.
FROM TRAINING TO TRIUMPH - WHAT MILITARY AND SPORTS TEACH ABOUT LEADING, WINNING, AND GROWING IN LIFE
Coach Leo Young
12/8/20252 min read
Easy Games Build Ego. Hard Games Build Grit.
Brannon Snead doesn’t sugarcoat it:
“I didn’t want to go against the team that was 20–1. I just wanted to pitch and enjoy myself.”
That’s real. Every player’s been there. But what separates growth from stagnation is what happens next.
Brannon admits:
“Even though you might want the easy win—you don’t learn anything from that.”
👇 Have you—or your athlete—ever realized that staying comfortable was holding you back? What helped you flip the switch? Share your experience in the comments.
Play Up—Even When You Don’t Feel Ready
Brannon’s advice is direct and unfiltered:
“Play up, man. Be around people that are better than you. That’s how you grow.”
It’s not about dominance—it’s about development.
When you play below your level, you build habits for control.
When you play up, you build habits for composure.
Playing up forces you to adapt, compete, and stay sharp—every pitch, every rep.
Confidence Comes from Clarity, Not Comfort
Coach Leo echoes what every serious coach knows:
“You got the ball in big games because they trusted you.”
Trust doesn’t come from lighting up tune-up games. It comes from performing under pressure.
And that only happens when you live in the fire—not avoid it.
Why This Matters to Sore to Soaring
At Sore to Soaring, “Play Up” isn’t just about who you face—it’s about how you train.
We build athletes who:
Seek pressure, not avoid it
Embrace challenge over control
Compete with clarity, grit, and accountability
We don’t chase perfect performances—we train players to show up in imperfect conditions and still deliver.
👉 Learn more about how we develop athletes who play up in the game—and in life:
www.soretosoaring.org
Disclaimer:
The content shared is for informational purposes only. This is not a judgment of any person or program mentioned. All names and events are discussed from personal memory and are not meant to accuse or endorse. The goal is to share insight from lived experience.
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