Royally effed one up today. Overthinking it.
DFK, 10 yards inside the half. I had gone over to get some defenders back and to aid correct position of the ball so i put the whistle up an said "on the whistle" - just as an attacker played it quick from beside me. So I double blew and called it back. I again said "on the whistle".
Then, I am nearly in position, raise whistle to lips, attacker has started the run up, I whistle quickly once just before he strikes the ball.
Defence were not the sharpest knives in the drawer and most froze. Tap in for the attackers and goal. The defence were super peeved but it didn't boil over, amazingly. But I had really stitched them up, in my mind. I was so annoyed that I then called half time early, horrible mistake, which was noted by the defence after the game and my assistants (one of whom is a senior). D'oh
I so should have double blown when I saw him running up - even though it would have come across as officious. I could even have let him take it without blowing and given a card but that would have been over zealous. By blowing once just before he struck the ball I had a really negative impact there. The defence went on to lose 3-2. Ouch.