On Thu, 20 Feb 2014 16:06:50 -0600, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet
The mallet head striking an object bounces. The shot hitting the
opposite end of the mallet when the mallet bounces back "helps" to
cancel out the head bounce back.

Pretty much as I'd have explained it. But however one looks at it, a
dead blow mallet is a damned useful tool. You don't really realize it
though until you actually use one.