A nice way to maintain that wider angle you like from back peddling while stilling moving safely and quickly for me is to start my transition with a side-step and then turn that into a full sprint.

side steps
 

I will side-step once or twice after a rebound as T or C for a few reasons.

1. To ensure that there isn't a quick turnover or foul and I am running full speed to the other end of the court only to turn around halfway there and see everyone still at the other end.

2. If there is going to be a press, I will need to stay in the area to officiate and the side-step gives me a second or two to see what defense is going to be played.

Now, if they have been running and gunning all night, or I see everyone turn and run for a fast break, I'm gone as T (new L).

It was the middle of the 2nd quarter, and they were heading to their locker room as a group. On that play, the ball ended up going OOB table side (partner was opposite as lead). White coach thought it should have been his, neither of us had a great look, but it looked like white hit it to me.

If you are an AR in soccer, such shuffling is required. :)

The only time I really find myself shuffling is if I'm in transition and I'm at center. Otherwise, I'll turning my head and running/jogging down court.

Better to run in a way that leaves you an angle to see between players. Sometimes that will require you to slow down rather than race them.

On occasion I have been known to both backpedal a few steps and/or side-step a few steps, both in transition, as I turn and look over my shoulder - as I have been taught. I do neither for more than a step or two but find them both handy in certain situations to best keep my eyes on the action in my area as I transition.

As a rule though, I don't do neither for any length of time.

Certainly. But I'd rather have the option to slow down than need to speed up (which is mostly an impossibility for me.) :)

Also, as trail-to-lead in transition that isn't a break, I hate arriving with the post players. I want to beat them down so I can "receive" the players as they take positions in the paint.

I side-step quite a bit in transition, especially at C or as L during press coverage. I can cover a lot of ground pretty quickly that way, and it leaves me open to the entire court. If I'm L on a three-person crew and we're in press coverage, I'll stay out on the court more and move slowly backwards as the play progresses towards me. Not really back pedaling, but something like it.