This paper discusses the properties of simple strategies for swinging up an inverted pendulum, focusing on the ratio of the maximum acceleration of the pivot to the acceleration of gravity. The authors show that the behavior of the pendulum critically depends on this ratio, with one swing being sufficient if the ratio is greater than \(\frac{4}{3}\). The paper also compares energy-based strategies with minimum time strategies, providing insights into the robustness of minimum time solutions in terms of energy overshoot. The analysis is based on a simplified model of the pendulum, where the position and velocity of the pivot are not considered. The paper concludes by discussing the generalization of these strategies to more complex systems, such as multiple pendulums and hybrid systems.This paper discusses the properties of simple strategies for swinging up an inverted pendulum, focusing on the ratio of the maximum acceleration of the pivot to the acceleration of gravity. The authors show that the behavior of the pendulum critically depends on this ratio, with one swing being sufficient if the ratio is greater than \(\frac{4}{3}\). The paper also compares energy-based strategies with minimum time strategies, providing insights into the robustness of minimum time solutions in terms of energy overshoot. The analysis is based on a simplified model of the pendulum, where the position and velocity of the pivot are not considered. The paper concludes by discussing the generalization of these strategies to more complex systems, such as multiple pendulums and hybrid systems.