Why Youth Pitching is Inherently Dangerous—And What Coaches Must Do About It
In this blog from the Sore to Soaring Podcast, Coach Leo Young and Brannon Sneed discuss the physical toll of pitching and the importance of coach education in keeping athletes healthy. Brannon reflects on how even with strong general coaching, the lack of pitching-specific expertise in his development led to challenges down the road—including injury during college. Their message is clear: pitching is high-risk, and coaches must be equipped to protect the arms that carry the future.
FROM TRAINING TO TRIUMPH - WHAT MILITARY AND SPORTS TEACH ABOUT LEADING, WINNING, AND GROWING IN LIFE
Coach Leo Young
3/30/20252 min read
“Our bodies weren’t meant to throw like this.”
There’s a hard truth that every coach, parent, and player needs to understand:
Pitching is inherently dangerous.
It’s not popular to say out loud—but it’s the reality we face in today’s game. In this episode of the Sore to Soaring Podcast, I sat down with Brannon Sneed, former college pitcher, to talk about what really happens when athletes develop without proper pitching instruction and care.
That’s how Brannon summed it up. And he’s right.
Throwing a baseball at high velocity from an unnatural arm slot, over and over again, puts extreme strain on the body—particularly the shoulder and elbow. Yet many young pitchers are taught to chase velocity before they’re taught how to move correctly, recover properly, or protect their arm.
That’s a dangerous combination.
What do you think about the danger related to overhand throwing? Drop your response into the comments of the video, we'd love to get your opinion.
The Injury That Changed Everything
Brannon’s high school career was exceptional—he set multiple school records at Lincoln High in Tallahassee for wins and strikeouts. He had the work ethic, the talent, and the results.
But like many pitchers, he entered college without the benefit of deep, specialized pitching development. His coaches had good intentions and supported his progress, but they simply weren’t trained to manage the demands of elite-level pitching.
And that’s where the problem lies—not in malice, but in underprepared systems.
Without a tailored workload plan, biomechanical feedback, or recovery protocol, Brannon’s arm took more stress than it could handle. The result? Tommy John surgery.
Not because of recklessness. Not because of a lack of effort. But because even strong general coaching can’t replace technical pitching expertise.
A Systemic Problem That Needs Solutions
This story isn’t just about one player—it’s about the broader coaching environment. In youth and high school baseball, most programs still lack access to qualified pitching coaches, and most team coaches don’t have formal training in biomechanics, recovery science, or injury prevention.
This gap leads to:
Overuse without awareness
Mechanics that go unchecked
Recovery that’s poorly managed
High-performing pitchers developing silent breakdowns over time
And as the pressure for velocity and exposure increases, injuries are becoming more common—and more serious—at younger ages.
What Coaches Must Do Next
At Sore to Soaring, we believe coaches must evolve. General coaching knowledge is no longer enough to protect athletes in today’s high-speed, high-volume game.
We’re helping bridge the gap through:
Pitching-specific coaching workshops
Structured recovery systems
Education for coaches and parents on workload management
Tools and resources to apply safe, repeatable methods
We’re not just teaching athletes—we’re training the people who develop them.
Key Takeaways
Pitching is physically demanding and inherently high-risk
General coaching isn’t enough to protect young pitchers
Most injuries come from underdeveloped systems, not bad intentions
Coaches must be equipped with tools, recovery systems, and education
The future of athlete development depends on the decisions we make today
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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: peterboulwaretoyota.com.
