They're saying the hit is coming from the side. I'm not an expert, can't zpeak to the truth of it, but you're being obtuse.

Think about it as just a really long pole on a rotating shaft. The further you are away from the center of rotation the faster the pole is moving at that point. That's why really long swords are more powerful (though harder to wield) than shorter ones, even if they're the same mass. If you get hit by the tip of the sword it transfers a lot more energy than near the hilt.

Another way to think about it is it hurts a lot more to get hit by the fist when someone punches than if you get really close and are only hit by their shoulder.

No, try reading the other 90% of my comment.

That isn't how attacking with batons work. They come from the side because it's rotational, not linear. If they're stabbing at you, sure. But they aren't.