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 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 may 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 girl making an attempt to make her manner in what was nonetheless predominantly a person’s sport, Flores wanted some heroes that she may determine with. Billie Jean King would show to be a guiding pressure.
“I knew the primary time about her once I was in all probability like 12 years previous,” says Flores. “And since I used to be going via a second in time the place I used to be the one woman in an all-boys group, in an all-boys league, the way in which I discovered about her was via Googling ladies taking part in with males. Like, had this occurred earlier than? (I wanted to know) as a result of I sort 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 lots of different Mexican athletes like Paola Longoria, who now could be a really pricey pal of mine.”
Flores didn’t simply excel at flag soccer, however she grew to become one of many NFL’s greatest 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 operating from celebrities, workers, and even her personal mother with a view to defend her flag.
Diana Flores Simply Runs With It
“We knew that we have been doing was one thing large, that it was going to have an excellent impression, and that it was going to empower a number of ladies and women on the market,” says Flores, who even acquired to share a second off-camera along 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 towards america, finishing 4 touchdowns and main Mexico to a dominant 39-6. In 2023, Flores performed offense on the Professional Bowl however is maybe most pleased with being the present captain of the Mexican nationwide group.
Not solely has Diana Flores commanded the eye of these on the sector, however international manufacturers like Underneath Armour, Oakley, and Neutrogena now work with the elite athlete due to how she has helped to lift the profile of flag soccer. Thankfully, she hasn’t misplaced website of her ardour to carry out, nevertheless.
“So, there may be a number of totally different levels for a flag soccer athlete,” she explains. “It comes off preseason while you work on endurance, resistance, conditioning, all of that. However then you must 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 you must put some reps in to attach along with your broad receivers and work on that a part of the sport, so it is extremely, very attention-grabbing. 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 Improvement). So, I nonetheless observe and practice with my school group. I imply, it takes a village to construct desires and that’s a enjoyable a part of it.”
How Diana Flores Trains for Flag Soccer
“Everyone thinks that being a quarterback is simply in regards to the arm, proper?” says Flores. “Sure, you must be robust and have robust arms but in addition have the ability to have that velocity and energy, to simply have the ability to give time to my broad receivers, and on the similar time make that good throw.”
Carry Heavy
“Free weightlifting, squats, these are the issues that you must 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 a number of mobility. Lifting heavy provides you the idea.”
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 sector?” The participant explains that field jumps and resistance band work is crucial for staying versatile and constructing explosive energy for video games.
What Recommendation Does Diana Flores Give to New Flag Footballers?
“A great way to start out is simply get these reps in,” she explains. “I imply, should you’re a large receiver, get these catches. Be sure it turns into a straightforward factor to catch 50 or 100 balls a day. It relies on 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 start out. However then, in case you are prepared to excel on the sector as an athlete, it is very important focus in your athleticism, and that includes going to the health club. Carry weights and raise heavy weights. Don’t be afraid to do this, then be good along with your preparation.”
Diana Flores is at all times desperate to go on her pleasure and knowledge round flag soccer and frequently seems at clinics to encourage the following technology. “Once I began taking part in, I used to be not allowed to step on the soccer area however now, having greater than 20 million gamers in additional than 100 international locations, now we have now 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 women who now can dream larger than ever. It has been an incredible journey to be a part of.”
To observe Diana Flores potential additional journeys to the 2025 World Video games and the 2028 Olympics on Instagram click on right here!
