the 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.  Studentswill be notified in writing when they are ready to go on Pointe.  The teacher will make this decision not the student or parent.

IMPORTANT:  Do not buy Pointe shoes before you are told you are ready for them!  Pointe work should never be attempted or practiced at home before the teacher has recommended it.  This often results in injury and very bad habits which take years to unlearn or which cannot be corrected at all.   Most importantly, serious irreversible damage can be done to the bones and joints that is not always obvious at the time.  Another no-no - 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 overtime.

Requirements for selection are as follows:

1. The student must be 12 years or older.

2. The student must have at least 3 years of ballet training without having time off.

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 passe' 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 passe' 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 class.

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.