Skills Trainer

The Skills Trainer makes its return to Madden NFL 17. With most of the same training drills as last season, each implements all of the new mechanics that this season has to offer. Running drills obviously act differently with both the new ball carrying mechanic, as well as the new Gap and Slot Play. There are no penalties for getting it wrong here; in fact, we want you to get it wrong so that you can learn how to get it right before stepping onto the field on game day. Take your time and try to at least bronze each drill and get your MUT packs. Or, if you’re like us, go for gold and keep your skills sharp.

Skills Trainer Action List

• Read Instructions
• Complete Skill Tutorials
• Complete Skills Drill
• Earn Item Reward
• Run the Improved Gauntlet

Skills Trainer Lessons

Basic Offense

• Acceleration Burst
• New: Ball Carrier Moves
• New: Advanced Ball Carrier Moves
• Passing Mechanics
• Total Control Passing
• Hat Count
• 3 on 3 Offense
• Backed Up at Goal Line
• Red Zone Offense

Basic Defense

• Tackling Mechanics
• Pass Rush
• Hit Stack
• Red Zone Defense
• Oklahoma Defense
• Coverage Mechanics

NEW: Special Teams

• Field Goal Kicking
• Punting
• Kick Blocking
• Punt Blocking
• Trick Plays

Run Concepts

• Hat Count
• Outside Zone
• Inside Zone
• Power
• Trap
• Counter

NEW: Run Defense

• Gaps
• Tackle Battle
• Inside Run Defense
• Outside Run Defense

NEW: Pass Defense

• Man Blitz
• Zone Blitz
• Cover 1
• Cover 2
• Cover 2 Man
• Cover 3
• Cover 4
• Cover 6

Read Pass Concepts

• Curl Flat Read Concept
• Mills Read Concept
• Slant Flats Concept
• Smas Read Concept
• Stick Read Concept
• Verticals Read Concept

Progression Pass Concepts

• Dagger Pass Concept
• Drive Pass Concept
• Flood Read Concept
• Levels Pass Concept
• PA Power O Concept
• PA Rollout Concept
• Shallow Cross Concept
• Shot Pass Concept
• Spacing Pass Concept
• Spot Pass Concept
• Switch Concept

Advanced Techniques

• Pocket Presence
• User Coverage
• Total Control Passing
• The Option
• Triple Option
• Midline Option
• Inverted Veer Option

Pre-Play

• Pass Protection Adjustments
• Offensive Hot Routes
• Offensive Audibles
• Defensive Adjustments
• Adjust Coverage
• Defensive Audibles

There are two main sections to the Skills Trainer: the tutorial and the drill. The tutorial provides a breakdown of the controls that you need to know for this drill, which is essential for new players, as well as veterans learning new concepts. Next, the drill is where you can put these controls into action and meet the appropriate goal to move on.

Passing Concepts Cheat Sheet

Once you’re done practicing how to read defensive coverages, keep this concept sheet handy. It shows which offensive concepts/plays match up well against defensive coverages. If you go into Plays by Concept at the play-calling screen, you should find some great plays.