KMM:
I suppose this is the gearbox equivalent of a non-free spinning engine...
I´d be happy if someone could help out on that subject but from my understanding any mechanical manual gearbox has the respective gear wheels engaged, it is the shift collar that is selected at each gearchange. Not sure if the gearbox incorporates any mechanical safety mechanism to prevent mis-shifting, the accompanying sensors should prevent this though.
I´d say that there are quite a few systems in the car that have to rely on proper mode of operation.