I may have missed this discussion, so forgive me if I'm late here. My question refers to a throwing technique I have seen with many of our very good players. They plant or pivot on their heel, rather than the toes. Is there an advantage to this? I know it varies among baseball players when they swing. This seems to be a new trend in disc golf?

I don't see it as much as a heel/toe issue as a push back off the heel or not pushing back (or less pushing back) off the heel. My guess is pushing back off the heel rotates the hips quicker and eventually creates a faster arm speed. However, I suspect that there is a tradeoff: it is more difficult to maintain consistent lines without shifting the weight over the plant foot.

Like you say, it is a lot like baseball: the power swing is pushing back off the plant foot to create greater rotation (rotational swing) versus an Ichiro-like linear approach.

an Ichiro-like linear approach.

This is how my 5th grade baseball coach taught us how to hit. Its some Japanese based train of thought that translates into more power with less movement.

I use this method for a stand-still throw. It works great.

As for a backhand with a run up, i try to stay on the balls of my feet or my toes, never the heel.

Everytime i plant with my heel I lock out my hip and knee and end up throwing a beefy hyzer.

They plant or pivot on their heel, rather than the toes. Is there an advantage to this?

You'll spin faster and in a tighter radius on your heel (good for throwing). Also, your knee and hip will appreciate much less torque from a heel spin. Spinning on the ball of the foot causes a much bigger turn radius and slower speed (generally bad for throwing). You want the transition from reach back to release to be quick and compact. The best way to do this is with a tight, fast rotation.

Try on a tile or hardwood floor spinning on heel and then ball. Try this several times and see which has more revolutions and higher RPMs.