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 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 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 attempting to make her manner 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“I knew the primary time about her once I was in all probability like 12 years outdated,” says Flores. “And since I used to be going by means 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 way in which I discovered about her was by means of Googling ladies taking part in 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 expensive 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 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, employees, and even her personal mother so as to shield her flag.
Diana Flores Simply Runs With It
“We knew that we had been doing was one thing huge, that it was going to have an important influence, and that it was going to empower a variety of ladies and women on the market,” says Flores, who even obtained to share a second off-camera along with her hero King.
Lately, 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 performed offense on the Professional Bowl however is probably most pleased with being the present captain of the Mexican nationwide crew.
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 lift the profile of flag soccer. Luckily, she hasn’t misplaced website of her ardour to carry out, nonetheless.
“So, there may be a variety of totally different phases for a flag soccer athlete,” she explains. “It comes off preseason while 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 sector. 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 broad receivers and work on that a part of the sport, so it is rather, very fascinating. I’m so fortunate to have a tremendous 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 desires 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 to have that velocity and energy, to simply be capable to give time to my broad receivers, and on the identical time make that good throw.”
Raise 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 in addition energy cleans. I’m engaged on my snatch now proper now as a result of it takes a variety of mobility. Lifting heavy offers 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 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 begin is simply get these reps in,” she explains. “I imply, when you’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 on daily basis or each week, right here and there. I believe that’s a great way to begin. However then, in case you are prepared to excel on the sector as an athlete, you will need to focus in your athleticism, and that entails going to the gymnasium. Raise weights and carry heavy weights. Don’t be afraid to try this, then be sensible along with your preparation.”
Diana Flores is at all times desirous to cross on her pleasure and knowledge round flag soccer and commonly seems at clinics to encourage the following era. “Once I began taking part in, 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 women who now can dream larger than ever. It has been a tremendous 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!
