As a pitcher's dad and a former HS coach, I cared could my catcher keep the ball in front and slow down runners. I thought it was my pitcher's job to keep them close to the bag. I taught framing but it was down the line from blocking and throwing. I've always said a good catcher has to not care about getting killed and those are few and far between. I teach pitchers and I told one the other day on his curveball that his best friend, HS catcher, should hate his guts every time the coach calls curve ball because most of them should be in the dirt. You can teach your kid to block if he is willing to get pelted by the ball in every part of his body. If he is not willing to block (or crush the ball) there is no future in catching. I will agree with your coaches, the fastest way for a catcher to get pulled is to allow passed balls. Anyone can catch balls in the air, catchers have to love blocking them.