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he Dance Factory

Guidelines for Pointe Work

Because each student is an individual and progresses at her own rate,
some will need longer than others to be ready for Pointe work. Students
will be notified in writing when they are ready to go on Pointe.

IMPORTANT: Please do not buy Pointe shoes before you are told you
are ready for them! Pointe should never be attempted or practiced at
home before the teacher has recommended it. This often results in
injury or, at the least, very bad habits which will take years to “unlearn”
or which cannot be corrected at all. This also applies to walking on the
toes in soft shoes. Do not do this!

Beginning Pointe students will spend approximately 10 minutes per class
on Pointe at the barre and will gradually build up their strength over
time. Requirements for selection are as follows:

1. The student must be 12 years or older.

2. The student must have at least 2 years of serious ballet training.

3. The student must be prepared to take at least one ballet class in
addition to a pointe class.

4. The student must have sufficient strength to do the following:

Hold turnout. The most basic concept of ballet is turnout. It makes it possible to do
certain steps that could not otherwise be done. Holding turnout while dancing is a
good sign of strength. If the student does not have the strength to maintain her
turnout, she is not strong enough for Pointe, since it is much more difficult to hold
turnout on Pointe.

Have a strong, straight back (especially the lower back). Without

a strong, non-swayed back, dancers are at risk of stress

fractures.

Maintain pointed feet. The student must point her feet in order to strengthen the
muscles that point work requires. These muscles need to be strong enough to support
the body weight on the ends of the toes. If the student does not habitually use these
foot muscles, then she will not be able to support herself on Pointe and might buckle
over her toes, thereby increasing chances for injury.

Pique and passé with a straight supporting leg. The student

should have enough strength to push herself onto demi-Pointe

with a straight leg. The pique is more difficult to perform on

Pointe

and a

bent leg on

demi-

Pointe is a sign of weakness or

improper

step

preparation.

Do 16 releves in the center without stopping. Strength for Pointe work is achieved with
repetition. Releves are excellent to build calf muscle strength, which is vital for Pointe
work. Strong releves on demi-Pointe are a sign of strength. The student's heels must
go very high on demi-Pointe since Pointe work demands this ability. Students with
heels low to the ground on demi-Pointe are not properly strengthening their calf
muscles and will not be ready for Pointe.

Hold a passé balance on demi-Pointe.The student should be

properly placed (square hips, straight back, turned- out legs)

and

have

strength to

balance on

demi-Pointe. Passe is more

difficult to

correct on

Pointe, as the surface area

for balancing is

smaller and

the strength

requirements are greater.

5. The student must be well groomed, with her hair out of her face and in
a bun. Ponytails are not acceptable for ballet class. Short hair must be
pulled back from the face with either clips or a wide headband.

6. The student must be responsible to bring all the ballet “equipment”
she will need to class. Pointe shoes require extra care and accessories.

7. The student must be in good health and able to take a whole class. If
the student frequently needs to rest because of illness or injury, she is
not strong enough for the extra demands that Pointe requires.

8. If she frequently misses class or is tardy, she is not ready for the commitment
of pointe.

9. The student must pay attention in class and work well. Going on
Pointe is a big step and requires commitment from the student.

10. The student must be of a healthy weight to prevent injury to knees
and ankles.

11. The student must have strong, arched insteps to stand on Pointe

"Let them praise His name with dancing!" Psalm 149:3