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Official rules: "He shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in his actual delivery of the ball to the batter, he may take one step backward, and one step forward with his free foot."
I agree that the use of the word "may" means the step back is not mandatory. Some pitchers just rock back on the free foot without actually stepping. But I don't think any reading of the rule can lead to the conclusion that two steps forward are permitted. If the step is to the side, it must be behind the rubber (?), i.e., in Fed the "rocker step" may be to the side.
I also agree its not a big deal - doesn't deceive the hitter, and since in Fed he can't throw to a base it doesn't really deceive the runner(s). But the language is in the rules.
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