I think the side entry is a good way to think about it because it removes the unnecessary SETUP when people get the full extension above the water instead of in the water.
prob the key takeaway is to get the full catch in the water at the forward angle, regardless of how you do it- best to try all the different ways to see which works the best for you.
if someone took a pic of you right when the blade is entering the water, you shouldn't be fully extended. That should be when the blade is buried and set a split second later. But that split second makes a big difference.