Madden NFL 17
35 Achievements
1,000
15-20h
The Ball is Free!
Successfully block a punt. (No Sim)
20
2.97%
How to unlock the The Ball is Free! achievement in Madden NFL 17 - Definitive Guide
Note: I had to use the back player as it would not let me go offsides with my linemen.
Blocking punts are much easier this year thanks to the new punt blocking mechanic. First, go into the skills trainer and learn the new mechanic. Now take what you learned onto the field. This trophy is fairly simple to unlock. I blocked multiple punts just playing my DC games. The key is to use the button to jump and swat at the ball as opposed to the button to dive at the ball.
The key is in the timing. For visual assistance with commentary, please use the following video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCai02fXPBw
If you are using the Gauntlet Cheese roster or any other roster where you have 99 rated players, it should be easy enough. Rush the kick and dive as they kick it to block the punt. Or... the super easy method:
If you have two controllers, set your player offsides and ready to block the kick. Hike the ball with controller two and block it with controller one. After the play, decline the penalty with controller two.