When Alternative Calls, Diana Flores Simply Runs With It
Diana Flores might 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 may 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 method in what was nonetheless predominantly a person’s sport, Flores wanted some heroes that she might determine with. Billie Jean King would show to be a guiding power.
“I knew the primary time about her once I was in all probability like 12 years outdated,” says Flores.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 via a second in time the place I used to be the one woman in an all-boys workforce, in an all-boys league, the best way I realized about her was via Googling girls taking part in 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 lots of different Mexican athletes like Paola Longoria, who now could be a really expensive buddy 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 girls 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 huge, that it was going to have an ideal influence, and that it was going to empower numerous girls and women on the market,” says Flores, who even obtained to share a second off-camera along with her hero King.
Lately, nevertheless, Flores is a shining star in her personal proper. After selecting up medals in her teenagers, the quarterback helped take her workforce to gold on the 2022 World Video games in opposition to the USA, 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 workforce.
Not solely has Diana Flores commanded the eye of these on the sector, however international manufacturers like Below 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, nevertheless.
“So, there may be numerous totally different levels for a flag soccer athlete,” she explains. “It comes off preseason if 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 together with your vast receivers and work on that a part of the sport, so it is rather, very attention-grabbing. I’m so fortunate to have a tremendous workforce behind me, not solely from the nationwide workforce, my teammates, to my coaches, but additionally at my college. I’m about to graduate from my grasp’s (in Innovation, Enterprise and Growth). So, I nonetheless apply and prepare with my faculty workforce. 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
“Everyone thinks that being a quarterback is simply concerning the arm, proper?” says Flores. “Sure, you must be sturdy and have sturdy arms but additionally be capable to have that pace and energy, to only be capable to give time to my vast receivers, and on the similar time make that good throw.”
Raise 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 likewise energy cleans. I’m engaged on my snatch now proper now as a result of it takes numerous mobility. Lifting heavy provides you the premise.”
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, in the event you’re a large receiver, get these catches. Ensure it turns into a straightforward 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 sector. Get the the footwork locked in day-after-day 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, it is very important focus in your athleticism, and that includes going to the health club. Raise weights and carry heavy weights. Don’t be afraid to try this, then be good together with your preparation.”
Diana Flores is at all times wanting to cross on her pleasure and knowledge round flag soccer and repeatedly seems at clinics to encourage the subsequent technology. “After 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 nations, now we’ve got faculty scholarships, not solely in Mexico however in the USA. Now it’s an Olympic sport, and it’s opening so many doorways for ladies 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!
