down shifting

The tran has been rebuilt and has new clutch p plate and throw out bearing. I am pushing in the clutch when shifting. I haven't tried double clutching it, but it does shift fine. I wanted to down shift and use the clutch to slow the car and it didn't want to do it unless I slowed down a little or I revved it a little while slowing and then it would go into a lower gear. I know they aren't like a modern 5 speed that down shifts at almost any speed, but I just was wondering if this was normal.