Hey All
Being a person who has judged for DCM for 2 seasons and DCI this past season i'd like to say that this subject has been in discussions for a while now and it has been a touchy subject also.
It really depends on who you are as an instructor. Some guys want you back with the battery a lot. Some guys want you with the pit a lot. So you find yourself all over the place and the truth is you can't catch everything and you can't please everyone either. I really don't have a strong opinion on this subject as to what they should do but i'm sure they will think about it long and hard before they make that choice. But i do know a few instructors wouldn't mind a second judge.
As far as getting hit goes it's part of the job and the corps are pretty good about letting you know to get out the way. When i've gotten hit it's been on "first reads" but once you know the shows you know where not to go. And if you see guard people coming your way MOVE FAST. Maybe one day they will invent Jet packs so judges can fly out of the way, that might be fun.
Take care
Mike Davis