How does aiming rift herald work?

Usually what I do is stand behind it, deploy then select it then hold the arrow forward but sometimes I charge backwards instead of forwars, is it because since I'm standing behind it when my character adjusts into herald my mouse at that moment is behind herald so for a moment the arrow would be facing backwards so thats why I charge backwards? Where should I stand and deploy the herald? Should I deploy it behind me, face forward then click it then keep my mouse forward?