if a slider is throwing to a right handed batter and hits the dirt to the side of the plate is the scenario. catchers are taught at a young age to push off to the side, angle their body back to the plate, and curl their shoulders. here's a thought though.. once the slider hits the ground, the spin on the ball when it hits the ground causes the ball to go in a straight line not at the angle it started on in the air... so why would catchers not keep their body's square to the pitcher instead of essentially letting a ball come in straight and have your body on an angle.. the spin on impact is going to cause the ball to bank off of the chest protector to the side.. if body is square to the mound to start then it would stop in front of you... i realize that with runners on third the results not the technique is the bottom line from keeping the runner from scoring... but any decent baserunner can easily advance once the ball kicks out... kind of goes against the norm of what has been taught to young kids from years.. have fun
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