9.1 a (7) - what does this mean?

[BLWizzRanger]

9.1 a (7) {In the windup}:  A pitcher, when stepping off the pitching plate, shall not drop the heel of the free foot before disengaging the pivot foot from the pitching plate.

What does this mean, 'shall not drop the heel of the free foot'?

if I am stepping off with the pivot foot, my free foot is stable and flat footed - i.e., heel on the ground.

I just can't picture this motion.

TIA. 

[jimurrayalterego]

1 hour ago, BLWizzRanger said:

9.1 a (7) {In the windup}:  A pitcher, when stepping off the pitching plate, shall not drop the heel of the free foot before disengaging the pivot foot from the pitching plate.

What does this mean, 'shall not drop the heel of the free foot'?

if I am stepping off with the pivot foot, my free foot is stable and flat footed - i.e., heel on the ground.

I just can't picture this motion.

TIA. 

I've never seen it except in Evan's balk video but in the past some pitchers would have the free foot with the heel up. I guess the heel coming down was the start of the pitch.

[The Man in Blue]

I'm envisioning that as an interpreted step to start the windup, either picking it up and putting it down or starting up and "stepping down" onto the heel -- either would have to be done to reposition the pivot foot, so either should be considered the start of the pitch.

Wonky language that at one point seemed hyper-detailed, but now invites stupid games?

[noumpere]

10 hours ago, jimurrayalterego said:

I've never seen it except in Evan's balk video but in the past some pitchers would have the free foot with the heel up. I guess the heel coming down was the start of the pitch.

Seen it, and balked it.  Seen it from the stands when it wasn't balked.

 

Sometimes, to reposition the pivot foot, F1 would us a weight shirt, rather than a step with the free foot.  Dropping the heel initiated thew weight shift, and, thus, the pitch.  A "tricky" F1 would drop the heel, R1 would take off, and then F1 would step off and throw to second.

If the wording were " F1 shall step off before stepping back, or to the side, with the free foot" it wouldn't be an issue; this is the same thing, but with an infinitesimally small step.