no probs - wasn't execting an explanation but thanks for it - it helps.
So, stating again - welcome to reffing!
A couple of thing I wish I had been told earlier than waiting to find out myself:
i) If the players play on, get over it, if they come running at you, its a yellow, if they go running after the guy that tackled, its a red (read between the lines). If only the guy on the gound is vocal, probs let him get on with it and play on.
A late whistle is better than an early one (same with flags for the AR).
Tackle goes in, in a way that breakes a LOTG, you are either going to a) blow, stop play, maybe YC, take 10 / 15 seconds to set up the FK, maybe a wall, check your OS line, blow and continue.....
or - b) see the foul, decide its a foul, count to three, do they still have the ball and be making their way forward in an advantagous way then either let them get on with it or THEN blow and bring it back to the tackle.
Option a) makes for a stop start game, option b) people may well appreciate the chance to flow.
The above goes out of the window if it is in the box, whereby it is either going to be option a), your choices are between options a), a) or a), or you will decide that the best option is a). (sounds likea scouser now)
ii) If no-one wants it, dont give it. ie ball goes out on the touchline, you think its a red ball, but blues pick it up, and no reds complain - let them get on with it. Goes out at goal line - if the defenders all run for a corner and the attackers move but you think its a GK, let them have their corner. The two players involved know what happened and their own team will go with that. Described as "No Suprises".
iii) In general it can get demoralising, but how much stick have you given the PL guys over the years, and if they had been privy to all of your comments, it might disharten them too, but they all had a 4th game at somepoint in their life, and then a 5th, and a better game, and a worse game, and an average season, a good season and probably a sh*t season too.
Yes, you signed up for this - rough with the smooth and all that. Sure if you put it in life terms - think abut jobs - crap week at work, did you quit? have good days and bad days, whilst you are learning (and passing the course does not make a you a referee, it means you are allowed to officiate - same as a dirivng licence does not mean you can drive, it measn that you can contol a vehicle and know the Laws of the Road) It takes expereience to lear the ups and downs.
I found in my first season, after each game, write down 5 decisions you got correct, 4 things you did well / correct, 3 decisions you got wrong and 2 things you will change for next time.
ie
offisde in the 3rd minute, hand ball in 20th, advantage in 42nd, offside 64th, YC dissent 80th
got there 45 before KO, chased teamsheets 20 before KO, got money before KO, caution and results done by 7pm
missed a late takle and played on, bottled out of a YC, let OS go through
move closer to GL for corners, will mention x to the captains before KO.
This way if you have the same things cropping up - you know where you problem is.
I ca continue if you'd like, or not as the case may be.
In the big picture - note the OP to the League, if not the RDO as yo see fit.