Prab gave you excellent advice, Jim. Because of the word "intentional" in intentional grounding, the referee is always the best judge. Many passes ,at our level, turn into lousy passes but the referee may not see the intent. Be ready to respond if the ref asks you about any eligible receivers in the area ,though.
We of the Zebra kingdom
need to develop thick skin
and some sidelines will be yapping game long
(4 quarters) .
If it isn't personal - "They're (fill in the blank) "- treat it like a barking dog, ignore it and usually it will stop.
If it get's personal - "You are (fill in the blank) - warn first &
if repeated. Be sure to report to the ref as that person has just received his first USC.
Inadvertent whistles happen to everyone, so don't feel bad and treat it as a learning experience. Three important things to remember before blowing your whistle :
(1) The fair catch signal kills the ball once caught. The kicking team knows this and will stop. Your tweet is NOT needed until the catch is complete.
(2) Once an incomplete pass hits the ground, the play is over. Don't tweet until then...it'll be tempting to tweet the second the ball bounces off the receiver's hands, but a tweet followed by a completion/interception of the deflected pass
does not have a good ending.
(3) If you are marking forward progress, be sure to see the leather of the ball before you tweet. On most plays only one whistle - that of marking forward progress - is needed. DON'T tweet when not needed.
Good luck, Jim, and hope you enjoy your officiating as much as we of your forum do. Let us know how it is going.