What to Do When a Student Is Late to Your Pole Class
Simone Muscat
9th December 2024
Handling Late Arrivals Effectively with Grace
As an instructor, you’ve planned your class, set the vibe, and everything is ready to go, except for one thing: someone walks in late. It can be a little jarring when it happens, especially if the class has already started and the group is in full swing. As an instructor, this can be a frustrating thing to happen, however the way you next handle the situation is key. Keeping the class flowing smoothly while ensuring that the student feels supported, not stressed, is the way to go.
Stay Calm and Stay Present
The first thing to do when a student walks in late is to stay calm and keep your energy steady. It’s easy to get thrown off, but the most important thing is to make sure the student feels welcome, not like they’re disrupting the class. A warm smile and a quick nod or wave lets them know you acknowledge their presence without making them feel awkward or self-conscious. You don’t know what has caused them to run late and they could be having a stressful day, so try not to add any additional stress to them in the moment they are settling in. Instead move forward and keep the positive momentum going for the rest of the class.
Ensure They Warm Up Properly
One of the key things to remember when a student is late is to make sure they don’t skip out on warming up. Missing a warm-up can increase the risk of injury, especially in pole, where we rely on strength, flexibility, and mobility. As the class moves forward, take a moment to let the latecomer know they should warm up fully at their own pace if they missed the initial stretches and mobility work. You can even give them a few exercises to do quietly on the side while the rest of the class is working on something else. This ensures they are properly prepared to engage safely in the class, without feeling rushed or left behind.
Address It Briefly and Continue
Once the student is settled, briefly acknowledge their late arrival without drawing too much attention to it. A simple “No worries, glad you’re here!” keeps things light and reassures the student that they’re still part of the group. You don’t need to stop the entire class to address their lateness. Instead, just make sure they’re aware of any important information they may have missed prior to the class starting. This keeps the flow of the class intact while ensuring they’re not left feeling out of the loop. If your studio has a late policy, then ensure your student is aware of this policy for future classes. If they are a repeat offender at attending late then you may want to discuss this with your studio manager separately for them to action at a later time in person or via phone call.
Offer Support to Catch Up
If the student is struggling to catch up because they missed part of the warm-up or the initial explanation, offer them a quick recap during a transition or between sets. A brief one-on-one moment, like, “I can help you with that move later if you need it,” shows you care and want them to succeed, even if they missed a bit of the class. Providing this support creates an environment where the student can always ask for help and catch up without pressure.
Encourage Punctuality While Showing Flexibility
As much as we want to encourage punctuality, life happens, and we’ve all been there. A friendly reminder at the start of class or in the days leading up to it can help set expectations, but flexibility is key. Everyone’s journey is different, and sometimes external factors affect timeliness. If a student is regularly late, have a private, kind conversation with them about how it impacts their learning. This shows that you care about their progress and want them to get the most out of the class without making them feel uncomfortable.
Create a Supportive and Inclusive Environment
Ultimately, as instructors, it’s our role to create a space where all students feel comfortable, no matter when they arrive. Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes things happen outside of their control. By being understanding, staying positive, and offering help when needed, you can ensure that no one feels judged for being late as a once off. What matters is that they safely warm up, the effort they put into the class and progress they make once they’re there.
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