What does it mean to be ready for pointe?

Many dancers believe that ladies wear pointe shoes from their first day of ballet class. But, that’s not true!

We wear soft ballet slippers, which are more like socks, for our first ballet classes. It’s not until later in our training that our body and feet will be ready for pointe shoes.

Both women and men can go en pointe with solid strength & mobility training.

The following criteria are important for pointework.

1. Strength & Technique

• Consistent ballet technique classes

• Core & posture alignment

• Hip & turnout control

• Core & posture control

• Balance & alignment

2. Dextrous Feet and Toes

• Toes articulate independently of ankle

• Toes point long & curved, not scrunched & curled

• Straight toes on demi-pointe

• Separation of toes from 3/4 to full pointe

• No toe overlap in full pointe

• No pain or arch cramp in full pointe

3. Strong & Stable Lower Legs

• Ankle alignment over 2nd toe on demi-pointe

• Ankle alignment when standing flat

• Straight pathway of the ankle while rising to demi-pointe

• Control of hypermobile ankles when applicable

4. Ankle & Midfoot range

• Full height demi-pointe with straight legs

• Plantar flexion “pencil test”

• Ability to extend toes

Let’s talk about the nuances!

The question that is on everyone’s mind, and yet the most complex to answer!

Many factors impact the length of time to be ready for pointe for adult dancers. Foot shape, prior history of ballet, exercise, and footwear, strength, and experience can make for a very wide range in readiness time. Additionally, adults often have sporadic ballet journeys, with breaks and on & off times.

Examples:

For most adult dancers over age 18, it takes 1-3 years of somewhat consistent ballet classes a couple of times weekly combined with focused pre-pointe classes. The length of time to build enough strength depends on the nature of the ballet classes, as some adult programs may not have the rigor and technical focus required to build strength for pointe, and will require the dancer to do more focused strength-building.

In some cases with fallen arches, bunions, severe cramping, hammertoes, stiff ankles from prior sports activities, or complex injuries that may take more time and care than that. Sometimes, the dancer may benefit from a visit to a physical therapist for additional assistance with their specific case. In most cases, we can work with and through these situations to safely achieve pointework with dedication, patience, and hard work.

In the fastest cases, we have worked with some dancers who are beginning with an average level of fitness, body awareness, and foot shape, it can take as little as 6 months with 5 days per week of focused ballet and pre-pointe classes.

Does weight factor in? No. Dancers can dance en pointe at any weight, as long as the strength and technique requirements are met.

Are there any cases where someone can never dance en pointe?

In all circumstances, we must begin pointework with caution and respect for the demands on the body. But, some medical conditions may make pointework riskier and therefore less advisable. Some examples are listed below:

• Dancers with osteoporosis should approach pointework with caution and work with a trusted doctor to understand the risks and make an informed decision.

• Pregnant dancers should generally avoid beginning pointework during pregnancy, especially in the later stages when the ligaments and joints begin to loosen and open up to prepare for birth.

• Serious past injuries involving metal plates, screws, or other devices may prohibit the range of motion necessary to achieve pointework. Injuries that did not involve metal may require working with a licensed caretaker to help remove scar tissue and help the area heal in a larger range of motion.

• Fallen arches (different than flat feet) may require work with a physical therapist to encourage the full range of motion in the ankle.

• In rare cases, dancers have an extra bone behind their ankle joint which can also prohibit the range of motion needed for pointework.

If you're ever unsure of your safety going onto pointe, and your ballet teacher is unable to advise, consult a doctor, physical therapist, or another licensed caretaker.

But, having said all of that, if it is your dream to dance en pointe, and you understand the risks associated with any of the conditions listed above, as an adult it is ultimately your informed decision to make.

Pre-pointe exercises for strong and mobile feet

Pre-pointe classes consist of exercises designed to strengthen your feet, arches, toes, & lower legs. As dancers, our feet are a huge part of our balance, our lines, and our motor functions. It is our goal to have dextrous, strong, and powerful feet!

Pre-pointe exercises are recommended in addition to regular ballet technique classes.

Dancers at Broche Ballet are encouraged to start pre-pointe classes the same day they start ballet technique classes! No prior experience is required. While the ballet world calls this type of work “pre-pointe,” that’s a misleading name because the classes are useful for all dancers, including those who do not have dreams of pointework! In fact, similar exercises are often used by other non-ballet disciplines for strong feet.

Types of exercises include:

• Moving toes independently of each other

• Pointing feet onto ball/cushion/band to add resistance

• Ankle stability exercises

• Arch support & control

• Deep ankle & arch massage for more range of motion

• Rélevé stamina

• Explosive rélevé passé

• Core strengthening

• Turnout strengthening

There are so many more benefits to pre-pointe work!

• Stable arches & ankles

• Strong and expressive feet

• Higher demi-pointe

• Stronger jumps

• Clear and precise footwork

• Stronger point

We don’t require them at Broche Ballet. Here’s why!

Demi-pointe shoes are similar in structure to pointe shoes, but they do not have the "shank," which is the part of the shoe that supports your foot to actually stand on your toes.

There are two schools of thought on the usage of demi-pointe shoes.

The first is that everyone should use demi-pointe shoes along their pointe journey and that they provide additional strength and resistance to your regular ballet classwork. They also feel more similar to pointe shoes and can make the transition to pointe shoes easier due to this similarity.

The second is championed by Lisa Howell, a dance physiotherapist, that demi-pointe shoes can encourage habits of curling or crunching the toes if they are used too early because they are more difficult to use. Additionally, it is harder for the teacher to detect improper technique because the shoes hide the issue. Read more here.

At Broche Ballet, we follow Lisa Howell's viewpoint for pre-pointe and don't currently utilize or require demi-pointe shoes as a part of the Journey to Pointe program.

Additionally, it's not as simple as simply getting demi-pointe shoes and seamlessly using them in class, because your feet need to work differently in the demi-pointe shoes. They require a specific class and differentiated instruction, so wearing them for regular ballet class will not necessarily result in stronger feet if you're not using the shoe correctly.

In Broche Ballet Beginner Pointe Classes, we instruct on how to use the shoes so that you can then eventually wear your pointe shoes for regular ballet barre and achieve this effect in your ballet classes. (But even then there's an amount of debate on whether pointe shoes for regular ballet class is helpful or harmful, so we don't recommend that all of the time in slippers is replaced by pointe shoes.) Read more here at Pointe Magazine.

In some cases, we may recommend demi-pointe shoes for extra resistance in rélevé, but overall the Journey to Pointe Program has enabled dozens of dancers to get en pointe successfully without them.

Ultimately each adult ballerina is the arbiter of their own journey and can/should make their own choices given the information on both sides. If you're curious about them, reach out and we can discuss!