Brakes in reverse?

 On my CC manouevering course, it was explained how the brakes on the 'van spring off when the wheels go backwards, even by a small amount (news to me, I'm afraid), which is why one should always make a forward move as the last before settling, so that the brakes will release and the handbrake will be effective.

 The question is, does this apply when pushing/motor moving, the van???? Am I in danger of having no handbrake if I don't make a forward move?

  Another question is why doesn't the spell checker work?