Is it considered "normal" / "possible" / "bad" / "wrong" the use of Mala Beads for counting breaths while meditating?

I sometimes use my Mala Bead during meditation, I find it quite "concentrating" to turn one bead for each breath. As I read online, when I reach the center bead, I reverse the rotation and start rotating the beads in the opposite direction. Is this a considered "normal" behaviour? Or I just came up with it, mixing (and maybe misunderstanding) what I've been reading/studying? Thanks!