gps-4

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally posted by Mark Dexter
While we may not need a "philosophy" on incidental contact, the covering official must put some thought into the call otherwise you have a circular definition:

Incidental contact is contact which is not considered a foul.

A personal foul is contact that is not considered incidental.


See where we're going here?

Mark (isn't that a great name):

I agree with you as far as "thought" goes but the definition of incidental contact coupled with the definition of what is a personal foul does give us a circular definition. Basketball is a non-contact sport, meaning that there is going to be contact that is incidental to the playing of the game, but contact should not be used gain an advantage that the rules do not allow.

Hence your description of a circular definition.

In a court of law the jury decides if the defendant is guilty or not guilty (not innocent or innocent). The definition of guilty is not innocent and the definition of innocent is not guilty. A circular definition if I ever saw one.