Diana Flores may solely dream of being a part of the Tremendous Bowl as a younger woman attending to grips with flag soccer, however now an enormous star in her personal proper, the participant has traveled to the NFL’s biggest highlight on quite a few events. It’s all due to an inspiring story and an unwavering dedication to her chosen sport as M&F came upon on this unique chat.
Diana Flores has barely unpacked her suitcase as she hops on a zoom chat with Muscle & Health. For Flores, it’s the start of a loopy few days that can culminate in her commentating on Tremendous Bowl LIX in New Orleans for Univision. As a woman born and raised in Mexico Metropolis, Flores bonded along with her father over a shared love of the game and start her storied journey with flag soccer aged 8. However as a younger woman attempting to make her method in what was nonetheless predominantly a person’s sport, Flores wanted some heroes that she may establish with. Billie Jean King would show to be a guiding drive.
“I knew the primary time about her after I was most likely like 12 years outdated,” says Flores. “And since I used to be going by way of a second in time the place I used to be the one woman in an all-boys crew, in an all-boys league, the best way I discovered about her was by way of Googling ladies enjoying with males. Like, had this occurred earlier than? (I wanted to know) as a result of I type of felt like an intruder, and that’s how I discovered her. Then (I started to look as much as) different athletes just like the Williams sisters and plenty of different Mexican athletes like Paola Longoria, who now’s a really expensive good friend of mine.”
Flores didn’t simply excel at flag soccer, however she turned one of many NFL’s greatest ambassadors. She was first invited to the Tremendous Bowl in 2023 to star in a business that additionally featured Billie Jean King as a cool cameo. The “Simply Run With It” advert was shot to advertise flag soccer as an Olympic sport in 2028 and to encourage extra ladies to play. The thrilling plotline noticed her operating from celebrities, workers, and even her personal mother with the intention to shield her flag.
Diana Flores Simply Runs With It
“We knew that we had been doing was one thing large, that it was going to have an amazing impression, and that it was going to empower loads of ladies and ladies on the market,” says Flores, who even obtained to share a second off-camera along with her hero King.
As of late, nonetheless, Flores is a shining star in her personal proper. After selecting up medals in her teenagers, the quarterback helped take her crew to gold on the 2022 World Video games towards america, finishing 4 touchdowns and main Mexico to a dominant 39-6. In 2023, Flores played offense at the Pro Bowl however is probably most happy with being the present captain of the Mexican nationwide crew.
Not solely has Diana Flores commanded the eye of these on the sphere, however world manufacturers like Beneath Armour, Oakley, and Neutrogena now work with the elite athlete due to how she has helped to boost the profile of flag soccer. Thankfully, she hasn’t misplaced website of her ardour to carry out, nonetheless.
“So, there may be loads of totally different levels for a flag soccer athlete,” she explains. “It comes off preseason once you work on endurance, resistance, conditioning, all of that. However then it’s important to decelerate and switch into being extra explosive (with) extra agility on the sphere. After which the soccer a part of it, technique.”
She provides: “I’m a quarterback, so it’s important to put some reps in to attach along with your huge receivers and work on that a part of the sport, so it is extremely, very fascinating. I’m so fortunate to have an incredible crew behind me, not solely from the nationwide crew, my teammates, to my coaches, but in addition at my college. I’m about to graduate from my grasp’s (in Innovation, Enterprise and Improvement). So, I nonetheless apply and practice with my school crew. I imply, it takes a village to construct goals and that’s a enjoyable a part of it.”
How Diana Flores Trains for Flag Soccer
“All people thinks that being a quarterback is simply in regards to the arm, proper?” says Flores. “Sure, it’s important to be sturdy and have sturdy arms but in addition be capable of have that pace and energy, to simply be capable of give time to my huge receivers, and on the identical time make that excellent throw.”
Elevate Heavy
“Free weightlifting, squats, these are the issues that it’s important to plan into your coaching schedule it doesn’t matter what,” says Flores. “Deadlifts and likewise energy cleans. I’m engaged on my snatch now proper now as a result of it takes loads of mobility. Lifting heavy offers you the premise.”
Plyometric Coaching
“Okay, now that you just construct this muscle and energy and energy, what are you going to do with it?” asks Flores. “How are you going to translate this energy to the sphere?” The participant explains that field jumps and resistance band work is important for staying versatile and constructing explosive energy for video games.
What Recommendation Does Diana Flores Give to New Flag Footballers?
“A great way to begin is simply get these reps in,” she explains. “I imply, if you happen to’re a large receiver, get these catches. Be sure that it turns into a simple factor to catch 50 or 100 balls a day. It is determined by you and your grind, and your will to enhance. Get extra agile on the sphere. Get the the footwork locked in day by day or each week, right here and there. I feel that’s a great way to begin. However then, if you’re keen to excel on the sphere as an athlete, it is very important focus in your athleticism, and that includes going to the health club. Elevate weights and carry heavy weights. Don’t be afraid to try this, then be good along with your preparation.”
Diana Flores is at all times wanting to move on her pleasure and knowledge round flag soccer and repeatedly seems at clinics to encourage the subsequent era. “Once I began enjoying, I used to be not allowed to step on the soccer discipline however now, having greater than 20 million gamers in additional than 100 international locations, now we now have school scholarships, not solely in Mexico however in america. Now it’s an Olympic sport, and it’s opening so many doorways for girls and ladies who now can dream greater than ever. It has been an incredible journey to be a part of.”
To comply with Diana Flores potential additional journeys to the 2025 World Video games and the 2028 Olympics on Instagram click here!
