yes there are lots of ways to block, and when it comes down to saving a run it doesnt matter how you get the job done, just get the job done. that being said, on breaking pitches should you:

A. kick out to the side of the plate with your body turned slightly in towards the plate

B. come up and cut down the distance/angle, but remain square to the pitcher.

*** this will usually determine if you are very upright in blocking and take a lot in the cup or forearms... or if you attack and smother the ball.

curve balls attack to reduce angle and bounce. I teach staying square to pitcher on the curve because the ball will kick to the pitchers throwing arm side.

fastball..gotta be careful adding energy to the pitch and causing it to bounce away too far. like to see catcher trying to absorb a fastball to deaden it ( probably a bad description but I'm stuck)

most college coaches teach staying square on all pitches....at least at all the camps my son has been to. their reasoning is if you knock the ball back to the plate you have to move away from 1st base on a dropped/in the dirt 3rd strike and you have farther to move for throws to 2nd. maybe over coaching the position as I see alot of balls deflect off catchers staying square at the HS level.