ME - That's not what I have seen and researched.
Goes like this:
1 - STO starts with the core nozzle almost straight aft, with a little nose-down pitching moment to load the nosewheel and ensure effective steering.
2 - The pilot applies aft stick and the core nozzle and fan set the required nose-up pitch for liftoff. This can also be commanded by pushing a button on the stick, or done automatically after the pilot inputs a deck-roll distance.
3 - As soon as the weight is off the wheels the engine nozzles and aerodynamic surfaces combine to provide conventional handling responses.
4 - As the aircraft accelerates, the aerodynamic surfaces get more effective, the engine effectors become less active and the thrust points aft.
Once the jet is above stall speed, the pilot presses the conversion button. The reverse conversion takes about 10 seconds. The clutch re-engages to free the locks, which are pulled out, and the clutch backs away. The core nozzle rolls up and is locked in full-aft position, and when the lift fan has spun down the STOVL doors are closed.