[lmeadski]

I guess I am failing to see something: Someone is backpedaling and trips over someone/something/a line because he/she can't see where he/she is running. How is running forward but turning back to watch play going to keep you from tripping/running over someone/something on the court? If you are truly looking back at the play you can't see where you are going. And, unless you are completely wide (running the line on the sideline), when running and looking backwards you cannot see the whole court. And, if you are running the sidelines, I think you stand a better chance of colliding with the coach who is usually right on the sideline. I am not advocating running backwards, but, I'd like to find who made the rule and the reasoning behind this makes a ref look less professional. Having done both, I can most certainly see much more of the court backpedaling vs turning and running.