Diana Flores might solely dream of being a part of the Tremendous Bowl as a younger lady attending to grips with flag soccer, however now an enormous star in her personal proper, the participant has traveled to the NFL’s best highlight on quite a few events. It’s all because of an inspiring story and an unwavering dedication to her chosen sport as M&F discovered 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 lady born and raised in Mexico Metropolis, Flores bonded together 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 approach in what was nonetheless predominantly a person’s sport, Flores wanted some heroes that she might establish with. Billie Jean King would show to be a guiding power.
“I knew the primary time about her once I was most likely like 12 years outdated,” says Flores. “And since I used to be going via a second in time the place I used to be the one lady in an all-boys group, in an all-boys league, the best way I discovered about her was via Googling ladies enjoying with males. Like, had this occurred earlier than? (I wanted to know) as a result of I form 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 pricey pal of mine.”
Flores didn’t simply excel at flag soccer, however she turned one of many NFL’s finest ambassadors. She was first invited to the Tremendous Bowl in 2023 to star in a industrial 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 working from celebrities, employees, and even her personal mother as a way 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 important affect, and that it was going to empower plenty of ladies and ladies on the market,” says Flores, who even obtained to share a second off-camera together with her hero King.
Nowadays, nevertheless, Flores is a shining star in her personal proper. After choosing up medals in her teenagers, the quarterback helped take her group to gold on the 2022 World Video games in opposition to the US, finishing 4 touchdowns and main Mexico to a dominant 39-6. In 2023, Flores performed offense on the Professional Bowl however is maybe most happy with being the present captain of the Mexican nationwide group.
Not solely has Diana Flores commanded the eye of these on the sector, 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. Happily, she hasn’t misplaced website of her ardour to carry out, nevertheless.
“So, there’s plenty of totally different phases 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 a must to decelerate and switch into being extra explosive (with) extra agility on the sector. After which the soccer a part of it, technique.”
She provides: “I’m a quarterback, so it’s a must to put some reps in to attach together with your huge receivers and work on that a part of the sport, so it is vitally, very fascinating. I’m so fortunate to have an incredible group behind me, not solely from the nationwide group, my teammates, to my coaches, but in addition at my college. I’m about to graduate from my grasp’s (in Innovation, Enterprise and Growth). So, I nonetheless apply and practice with my faculty group. 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 a must to be robust and have robust arms but in addition be capable of have that velocity and energy, to simply be capable of give time to my huge receivers, and on the similar time make that good throw.”
Elevate Heavy
“Free weightlifting, squats, these are the issues that it’s a must to plan into your coaching schedule it doesn’t matter what,” says Flores. “Deadlifts and in addition energy cleans. I’m engaged on my snatch now proper now as a result of it takes plenty of mobility. Lifting heavy provides you the idea.”
Plyometric Coaching
“Okay, now that you simply construct this muscle and energy and power, what are you going to do with it?” asks Flores. “How are you going to translate this energy to the sector?” 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. Make certain it turns into a simple factor to catch 50 or 100 balls a day. It is dependent upon you and your grind, and your will to enhance. Get extra agile on the sector. Get the the footwork locked in each day or each week, right here and there. I believe that’s a great way to begin. However then, if you’re prepared to excel on the sector as an athlete, it is very important focus in your athleticism, and that includes going to the fitness center. Elevate weights and carry heavy weights. Don’t be afraid to do this, then be sensible together with your preparation.”
Diana Flores is all the time desirous to move on her pleasure and knowledge round flag soccer and recurrently seems at clinics to encourage the subsequent era. “After I began enjoying, I used to be not allowed to step on the soccer area however now, having greater than 20 million gamers in additional than 100 nations, now we have now faculty scholarships, not solely in Mexico however in the US. Now it’s an Olympic sport, and it’s opening so many doorways for ladies and ladies who now can dream larger 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 on right here!