This will transfer the stored energy in the rod bend to the line and help form a narrow loop. Depending on the length of line, the exact stop position shifts between 12 and 2 o'clock. The longer the line, the more bend the rod experiences and the further back it will need to travel to help maintain the straight line path. Also, depending on the length of the cast, a slight drift back on a short cast or a longer drift for longer casts may be needed depending on rod length and stiffness. Longer and stiffer rods allow the caster to power harder during the stroke, resulting in higher line speed and it is possible to shorten the stroke significantly.
Softer rods require a longer stroke and more drift.
The sudden stop of the back cast helps the tip track a straight line path. The typical novice caster relaxes the hand and wrist as the rod reaches the back cast position. This relaxing promotes a wide arc or curved path of the tip resulting in a wider backcast loops. The final forward cast loop of a distance cast can be improved by a slight forward drift via wrist turnover, following the stop. This slight drift, while simultaneously reducing grip pressure absorbs the tip deflection bounce down, minimizes shock waves and tightens the loop.