When I'm anchoring, unless the boat has drifted back in the wind, and the rode is tight, I can't apply reverse pull to set it.

I have to wait(in light air, that can take several minutes) until the boat is directly down wind. Then I can keep the stern straight(the rode is doing it of course).

Off a dock, I can apply and get reverse if a spring line is taut and fast to the dock. Then I can back off in reverse, in one predictable direction.

I fear you may have the same problem backing out even with a spring, until you can get some sort of way to tighten the spring.