How to Arrive Late or Leave Early From a Martial Arts Class

Life happens. Sometimes you hit traffic, get held up at work, or have a family obligation that pulls you away from training. While consistency is key in martial arts, especially in disciplines like Systema, there will be times when arriving late or leaving early is unavoidable. The good news? With the right mindset and etiquette, you can still show respect — to your instructor, your training partners, and the art itself.

Entering a Martial arts class Late: Blend, Don’t Interrupt

Systema teaches us to move with awareness, sensitivity, and adaptability — and that applies even before we throw our first strike or perform our first drill.

If you arrive late:

Take a moment before stepping in. Breathe. Collect yourself. Don’t rush.

Enter quietly and observe. If the instructor is speaking or demonstrating, wait just inside the door. Don’t walk across the mat or into the group until there’s a clear pause.

Acknowledge the instructor. A quiet nod or eye contact is often enough. If appropriate, say a soft “Sorry I’m late” and wait for their cue.

Integrate smoothly. Watch what's happening. Join at a natural transition point, such as between partner rotations or at the start of a new drill. Don’t ask for a recap unless offered — just flow in and pick things up as you go.

Leaving a martial arts class Early: Quietly and With Intention

If you know ahead of time that you’ll need to leave early, the key is to communicate and plan.

Let your instructor know before class. A quick heads-up like, “Just so you know, I may have to step out about 15 minutes early today,” goes a long way.

Choose the right time to go. Don’t leave in the middle of a demo or when you're in the middle of partner work. Time your exit during a transition or when the instructor is addressing the group.

Exit respectfully. A nod or quiet “Thank you” is often enough. No need to explain further or draw attention — just move as you would in a drill: aware and smooth.

Life happens. Sometimes you hit traffic, get held up at work, or have a family obligation that pulls you away from training.

It's Not Just Etiquette — It's Practice

Systema isn’t just about drills and techniques. It’s about presence, respect, and responding to your environment. So arriving late or leaving early isn’t just a matter of courtesy — it’s a chance to practice moving with calm, awareness, and control under slightly irregular circumstances.

In a way, how you enter or leave a martial art class says a lot about how you train. We all have off days. What matters most is how we show up — even when we can’t be there the whole time. Move with humility. Communicate clearly. And let your presence, however brief, still reflect your commitment to the path.