[just another ref]

Originally Posted by Jimgolf

Before I ever read a rulebook, I always thought that a foul was excessive contact, and that the foul would be charged to whoever is responsible for the contact. It seems to me that all the other rules about LGP and charging and screening only help to determine who (in legal terms) was responsible for the contact. So if you are guarding someone, and you have not established LGP, then you are responsible for the contact. Likewise, if you are setting a blind screen, and you do not allow for time and distance, then you are responsible for the contact. In this case we are talking about someone charging into a player not guarding him, so the player charging is responsible for the contact.

Is this too simplistic? I haven't gone through all the foul definitions trying to verify this thought, but I don't recall seeing any situations where this wouldn't apply. Or is this so vague that it's of little use?

I thought it might be a short hand way of explaining fouls to beginning players and their parents.

I like your summary for the most part, with the exception of the word excessive. Contact need not be excessive to be a foul. It is more about whether the contact put the opponent at a disadvantage. Many times contact can be subtle and still provide the necessary space for a shot or a rebound. As far as I am concerned LGP is a term which is overrated. A player can have LGP and still commit a foul. A PC foul can be committed against a player who clearly does not have LGP. Verticality is much more of a safe haven. You stand still and hold your arms straight up, and if you foul out, the refs probably did "have your number."