[CJRef]

Two years ago I was watching a JV game in which one of the officials was backpedaling every time down the court. At one point there was a fast break and in his hurried state he backpedaled over the coaches foot. Without any chance to brace himself, he fell right on the back of his head splitting it open.

Regardless of how good of an official you are, backpedaling, like Mick points out, looks funny, and is usually an automatic "no" for most observers ( like bird-dogging all the time, or wearing a belt or a collared shirt). One of the fastest ways to move up the ranks is to polish your appearance, meaning not only what you wear but how you move and carry yourself.

To see what everyone else is talking about, get some game footage and watch yourself backpedal. I would be willing to bet that you won't do it anymore.