11/4/25: Chris Long on Youth Inc. Podcast, PlayerData Spotlight, Truth in Comedy

👏 The Long Approach: Greg's Interview with Chris Long

Takeaways from Chris Long on Youth Inc.

Chris Long has played at the highest level and understands what it takes to be successful, not only in sports but also in life. The son of NFL Hall of Famer Howie Long, Chris had natural talent but soon learned that you needed more to play in the NFL. Hard work, dedication and doing things the right way were just as important.

Long joined the Youth Inc. podcast to talk about the life lessons he learned through sports and how he’s now applying them as a dad and youth sports coach.

“When you’re coaching youth sports you’re teaching a mindset. You’re teaching a life skill,” said Long who was the No. 2 overall pick by the Rams in 2008 and went on to win a pair of Super Bowls with the Patriots and Eagles.

💡An Affordable Way To Data Tracking

Improving Data Strategies for Sports Organizations

We are in a data-driven era. Professional and college teams use highly advanced data tracking systems to optimize training, practice and performance. These systems have typically come at such a high price point that they weren’t used in youth sports, but that is changing.

As technology has improved, more companies have entered the marketplace making products more affordable and tailored to youth sports. One such company is PlayerData, which has produced a team pack for youth sports teams, which includes vests, tiny, state-of-the-art GPS trackers and a portable live data receiver that is slightly larger than a credit card.

PlayerData hasn’t sacrificed any of the technology or capabilities for affordability. In addition to more than 50,000 athletes and 1,500 clubs using their products, PlayerData also has clients that include the Crystal Palace Football Club, the Philadelphia Union, Air Force football, Davidson basketball and IMG Academy.

🤣 Truth in Comedy

When It's So True It's Funny

We’re in a keep-up-with-the-Joneses era, especially in sports. Kids have the best and most expensive equipment even if they don’t need it. The days of passing around a beat up old bat in Little League are long gone. 

Comedian Pat McGann hits a nerve when he pokes fun at what’s going on it youth baseball. “You’ve seen four good pitches all year, why is your bat $560?” he says. “You’ve got $4,000 worth of bats in the dugout, we have two hits.”

Youth Inc’s Greg Olsen comments on the skit with Coach RAC and Coach Ballgame.

"If I'm not hitting that good with my bat, I realize my bat isn't the problem, and kids should probably realize that too,” said Coach RAC. 
Added Coach Ballgame, “I loved when the whole team is sharing one bat and wearing that thing out until it was dented."

Ask The Experts: How to Adapt Coaching Styles to Different Age Levels

Returning to Play the Safe Way

Matt Belson founded Scoops Lacrosse to make the game fun for younger kids while teaching the core skills needed to develop. He has experienced the need to change your coaching style for different ages firsthand. 
To help coaches manage what’s out on the field in front of them, here are his three key steps for coaches:
1.    How do I adapt my coaching style for different age and skill levels?
2.    Ask yourself some key questions. Is this age appropriate? Where are they skill and mood wise? 
3.    Watch for the moment you need to adjust.

Check out the full segment as well as many others from all corners of youth sports here.

WE'VE GOT YOUR NUMBER

Yards of the NFL record field goal that Jaguars second-year kicker hit in the second quarter of Jacksonville’s 30-29 victory over Las Vegas on Sunday. 

68

"He put on his cape and he took us to the promised land.”

- Dodgers OF Enrique Hernandez on L.A. pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto who earned World Series MVP honors after winning three games, including Game 7 on no rest.