[just another ref]

As is stated so often for so many things in this business, nothing is absolute. Is backpedalling the best way to make your way down the court while trying to observe the play behind you. Overall, probably not. In certain cases, does it give a better view of a certain part of the play near the sideline. Probably so. Is there greater risk of a serious fall resulting in injury. Probably so. Does it look dramatically worse than running forward while craning one's neck back, or compromising and kinda doing a sideways shuffle. Not if you ask me. Bottom line: try every option and do what you are most comfortable doing.