Pointe Ballet Shoes
Are you Ready?

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Starting to wear ballet pointe shoes is a big step for every dancer. Not just your dancing needs to be ready, but also your mind. You need to take full responsibility of knowing the ins and outs of pointe work. Pre-pointe training will support you with the essential details you need to know.

Remember, just like I did before I went en pointe, ballet students MUST take responsibility for their own strengthening prior to beginning pointe work.

Australian dancer, Lisa Howell has made a video which explains how pre-point strengthening works.

Don't leave it to your teacher!

You can watch this pre-pointe video yourself here (just wait for the page to load up then the video is on the top right of the page).

In a pre pointe class it is similar to a ballet class but focuses more on strengthening your feet for pointe shoes. You'll do exercises that will help train you to go onto pointe, such as rises and releves at the barre to strengthen the ankles.

Pre-pointe is a good idea because it gently eases you into pointe work allowing you to focus on what the movements feels like. Dancing with ballet pointe shoes is much more challenging than wearing ballet flat shoes.

Be sure to take a quick look at Lisa's pre-pointe video to avoid possible future trouble. Knowledge is everything when it comes to these things.

Beginning to wear pointe ballet shoes depends on many factors such as your age, your level and your strength. It's not recommended for dancer's to begin pointe before the age of 10 or 12 as the feet aren't fully developed yet. When you reach the suitable age where it's safe to start, it now just depends on your strength and stability.

To be ready for pointe work, you have to study ballet for a long enough time to become secure within the technique to enable you to start pointe. This will include correct posture, foot alignment and core stability.

The continuous training you do in every ballet class will be making you stronger, therefore giving you more strength for pointe ballet shoes.

It is possible for every dancer to grasp pointe work, but remember, everyone is individual and therefore each person determines when they are ready for pointe. It won't affect dancers if they start wearing ballet pointe shoes a bit later than everyone else, but it will affect dancers if they start too early.

Always remember to think about your safety. You can't rush into pointe work, it's a big and gradual stage for every dancer. Your teacher should be able to guide you and let you know when you will be ready.

If you feel as though you are ready for pointe ballet shoes, then assess how long you have studied ballet and how stable you are in your classes. Discuss your thoughts with your teacher and explain your curiosity to start pointe work.

If you are not quite ready for pointe work yet, then don't be discouraged, you just have to wait to build that little bit more strength and stability.

Don't forget, the best things are worth waiting for!

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