In the intra-annual filtered current data (from ADCP or model), the upward phase propagation is seen. I could understand that the phase change as we move upwards in depth, results in upward phase propagation. It also makes sense that the energy is coming from the surface through wind forcing, and hence downward energy propagation.

But what's unclear to me is how does "downward" transfer of energy is resulting in "upward" phase propagation.

One way to see is, as the forcing (say wind) acts, it acts on a top layer, which then drags the layer beneath and so on. So, we'll see the layer beneath is always lags behind, and the surface layer always leading. Is this correct way to visualise it?