Just a small point to counter something in the first post.

A helicopter can autorotate straight down with no problems…or backwards, sideways or forwards or any combination of the above. I used to enter an autorotation from a hover at 2000′ AGL over the intended landing spot, then move backwards until having the correct approach picture and then start to get forward speed for the flare and landing.
You do want that forward speed as you try to reduce the rate of descent before setting down.

Ken