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The "float" refers to the early moving of the barrel backward. Above you can see Barry Bonds "floating" the barrel backward which he quickly turns around at the "go" decision. However, it is important to understand the he turns it around by continuing in the same arc as the float. He does not stop the barrel and redirect it. He does not stop it and push or pull his hands forward. The pulling back with his scap and back, with a grip that allows the barrel to fall, creates the float and then he accelerates the swivel at "go". The barrel begins to fall down the slope then is accelerated at the "go" decision. It continues in the same arc at a faster speed.
This "float" is what DMac has coined a "running start". It is a running start but no commitment has been made to swing. He can swing or he can check the swing. The importance is, the bat has early batspeed that can easily be accelerated when needed. At "go".