First Pointe Shoes - What is the right age to start pointe work?
86When a girl starts ballet, her dream is that one day, she'll be dancing effortlessly on her toes on stage in a beautiful tutu, her feet encased in a pair of gleaming pink satin pointe shoes.
It's no wonder that in ballet schools, the equivalent of "Are we there yet?" is, "Can I start pointework yet?"
The hard fact is that it takes a lot of hard work and years of training to get to the point (LOL) of pointe work. Trying to fast-track the process is fraught with danger: it can lead to injuries and even end a dancing career. So it's very important to honestly assess whether a dancer is ready for pointe work.
This clip gives a very good summary of what needs to be considered.
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Is 10 years old too young?
I'm seeing more and more 10-year-olds in pointe shoes, but starting that young can be dangerous - it could even mean the end of a promising dance career before it even starts!
It's vitally important your feet and legs have the maturity and strength to handle the extra pressure - start before that, and your feet can actually become deformed
Only a specialist examination by a doctor can say for sure, whether you're sufficiently developed to start pointe work. Just because you think your feet look or feel "ready" doesn't mean it's OK.
Tamara Toumanova was one of the "Baby Ballerinas", child prodigies who were world famous during the 1930's, dancing professionally by the time she was 13. She said she regretted being put on pointe too early, as it caused endless foot pain and foot problems in later life.
Personally, I think no student should start pointe work until they're 12, unless they're in full time training at a major ballet institution and have access to medical advice.
Sure, there are girls who will be ready for pointe work much earlier - but if you can't afford an expert to confirm that, why take the risk?
It won't make you a better dancer, and only increases the risk of career-ending damage or injuries. Girls who start at 12 will soon catch them up, and probably overtake them because they've spent two more years developing their fundamental technique.
Unless you're in a full-time ballet course, there are no good reasons to start pointe work early - only bad ones:
- The teacher isn't properly teacher-trained and isn't aware of the risks of pointe work under the age of 11 or 12. She may have started pointe early herself, and been one of the lucky ones who got away with it.
- The student demands it, and the teacher's afraid to say no in case the student leaves and finds another school that will agree. The teacher has to pay the rent - so she gives in.
- The mother demands it, and the teacher gives in for the reason given above. Mothers who push their daughters to do pointe work too early, should remember that they'll have their daughter's crippled feet on their conscience for the rest of their lives - are bragging rights really worth that much?
- The student is an exceptionally good dancer, and the teacher wants her to dance on pointe so she can win competitions and enhance the school's reputation.
I know it's hard to be patient, but it will pay off in the end.
*
All text copyright Marisa Wright. Photo with thanks to Barnarina09 on Flickr.
Recommended Reading
- The Perfect Pointe Book
The Perfect Pointe Book is written by a qualified and experienced dance physiotherapist with extensive knowledge of pointe work. Thorough and accurate information on fitting pointe shoes, exercises for pointe and pointe technique.
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Your not kidding! It does take a while especially if you have weak ankles though I'd begin at 8 years of age if allowed.
The little girl in the you tube video, i am horrified!!!!EVERYTHING from posture, to correct technical ability is wrong!!
It frustrates me so much to see teachers like this.
I think 10 years old is too younge to begin pointe. I started when I was 12 and it was very hard work for me. I researched online for many weeks before starting and found all kinds of info some true and some not. Pointe is beautiful and I love to dance in my shoes :)
I agree, dancergirl. I think 12 is the earliest one should start.
This girl in the video was put on pointe too younng...she is not nearly ready...soo sad.
Good Article! I didn't start pointe work until I was 13, and I'm very greatful.
that woman in the second video doesn't even look like a proper ballet teacher!!
and i didn't even know you could get pointe shoes that size!! I'm amazed that the ballet shoe companies are encouraging this by making these shoes..
Im 13, and I hope to start soon, especially since my ballet teacher was a former professional, so she knows what she is doing ;)
Sounds like you're in good hands, Sara.
I'm 13 and my teacher is only just letting me go on pointe (first class tomorrow :D) but I'm one of the oldest in my class, most of them are 10-12 years old and also starting pointe.. One of the girls is a JA at the RBS, I think they're letting her do it and SHES 10.
Anna, break a leg!
There are ballet schools who put their students on pointe early, but that doesn't mean it's right. The teachers often haven't been adequately trained and don't understand the dangers. At the RBS, they have experts who can advise on whether a girl is ready for pointe, so that might be the reason for the JA being allowed to do it. But it's interesting to note that when you audition for the full RBS course at 12 years old, the audition only includes 5 minutes of pointe at the barre only. So the RBS isn't expecting you to be able to dance on pointe at 12.
Yikes, that video makes me wince. My teachers wouldn't let us start until we were 12 or 13 and even then it was endless boring bar exercises to teach us proper posture and technique for a good year before we started center exercises. Turned out I have really long, weak arches, so I never even made it to the center - my feet just were not built right for pointe, so I spent the next few years until I quit watching jealously from the sides!
Great info! It's sad that teachers allow this kind of thing to happen. I think parents need to get much more involved and informed about their daughters dancing, a 10 year old who loves ballet probably won't say no to pointe but if her mother was aware she might be able to put the kibosh on it. Not that all parents are uninformed, but in my experience too many don't bother to learn.
Oh dear... that poor child. Her turnout isn't very good, she's wobbling all over the place, and she looks very unsure of herself. She can hardly get up on pointe properly either. The student looks as if she's not enjoying herself at all, and the teacher comes across as pretty harsh. My daughter started basic pointe work at 11 but they do not do a lot, and only if the teacher thinks they're ready. There is a lot of pressure on students however to do pointe in competitions as they think it gives them an extra "edge" and possibly winning against someone not on pointe. I think it should be stressed that pointe can only be done in age groups of 13 and over. I have seen girls in 11 year old age groups competing on pointe and falling over. My daughter does not intend on doing any pointe in competitions until next year when she is 13.
Good for you, LadyM! I'm glad you're putting your daughter's welfare ahead of winning competitions.
Great advice. My daughter is only 6 so we have a ways to go. but she has now been in ballet for 3 years. Ive heard tons of moms asking can their child go to pointe. I put my daughter in ballet for fitness and fun. I am not so concerned with a "career". I am glad that you wrote this hub I've shared it with the other "ballet moms"
Please do! I can understand why girls get impatient after 3 years of study, but age is more important than length of training when it comes to pointe work. Why rush when it could ruin the child's chance of a dance career later on?
It is hard to strike a balance. I want my daughter to take her time but she is very keen to wear them.
There is no such thing as "striking a balance", I'm afraid. That implies meeting someone halfway. Just remember that if you give in to her demands and let her get en pointe too early, you could be crippling her for life.
Wow, that is wonderful information. I'm am in Grd 3 ballet @ my dance school and im 12. We are not permitted 2 dance on pointe untill we are 13 or older, but if you are 13 and you are quite weak, new 2 ballet or do not listen well in class then u hav 2 wait cause cause of injury is 2 risky, Thankyou JUDY 4 teaching me to dance!!!!
@BalletDreams, you're lucky to have such a sensible and well-informed teacher to help you fulfil your dreams!
Thank you for your article. My daughter is 10 and is preparing for a national ballet competition. The sad thing is in this introductory division pointe is not required but "recommended." Most of the girls therefore compete on pointe against the few who are wise to stay in a soft shoe. Kudos to those teachers like my daughter's who put the child's health before the glory of producing a very young ballerina prodigy. And thank you for being very clear as to the damage done to our lovely young girls in the very competitive world of young ballerinas. My daughter will take her point reduction for dancing in soft shoes with pride and grace!
Thank you Theresa and good to hear you're doing the right thing!
Just a question, what is the general opinion of demi-pointe at 10? I know it is not for pointe and should only be used at the bar for exercises. I am hearing many different opinions right now with this age group.
Theresa, demi-pointes at any age are safe, because the student is still doing her usual exercises - just in soft slippers with a hard toe, instead of soft slippers with a soft toe.
In some parts of the world, demi-pointe shoes are unheard-of. Many teachers think they're pointless (excuse the pun).
The only reason to wear them is to get used to working through the foot and balancing on the flat (especially in adagio) in a pointe shoe, which feels quite different to a soft slipper. So in fact, they should be used in the center as well as at the barre.
Most students will attack them with a hammer or squash them in a door to get the box of demi-pointes really soft, so they're more comfortable. I'd advise you to do that, because if the box stays hard it can tempt some students to try standing on their toes in them!
I started on pointe when I was 10 years old and it was the worst decision of my life. I was very ambitious and even though I had to pass an exam to advance, my teachers were in disagreement as to whether I was mature enough to handle it. Well, I was NOT! I became very disillusioned by the hard work and the pain that I was told I should not feel. I was unable to handle this disillusionment and the pressure to succeed and so I quit. That was (and still is) the biggest single disappointment of my life. Dance is a passion. Mothers, teachers, counsel your girls to wait! A strong body does not necessarily mean a strong mind at this age.
Angelfish, I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience. You may not be able to see it, but the silver lining is that you quit, before you damaged your feet. I've known other girls start pointe at 10 and continue on, battling with sore feet for years, only to find their feet are too badly damaged to continue into a professional career.
im 9 my teacher says that im going to be ready for pointe by 10 but know im scared my teacher says that i have the strongest ankles i my class
Pickle, it really doesn't matter how strong your ankles are. It's whether the bones in your foot have stopped growing, that's what is important.
If you start pointe too early, every time you stand up on pointe all the bones in your foot will get squished down together. Eventually your feet will get bent out of shape and look ugly, and they will be sore all the time. In fact they might get so sore, you'll have to give up ballet.
Is it really worth risking that? I would tell your teacher you'd like to wait and start pointe with the other girls.
oh what is the age that your ankles stop growing because i would rather dance then not do pointe if there were problems like my ankles are not strong for pointe and be injured and not do dance now i can wait
Pickle, good girl! It is wonderful to hear of girls who love to dance so much they are willing to wait for pointe. Pointe is not the "end-all" to dance. I wish for you the brightest future in dance. :)
I have something to ask that is quite important; I'm 12 and I've only just started ballet, but I'm not entirely sure whether or not I'm ready for pointe. Is it possible for a 12 year old girl who's only just started ballet to just put on a pair of pointe shoes and bouree across the floor in them? LOL I know that sounded a bit weird, but would it be possible? I can balance on quite a high demi-pointe arabesque with a slight arch on my foot (I have what look like quite flat feet) and also in passe position on demi-pointe without wobbling, but I'm still not sure if I'm strong enough to dance en pointe. Do you think I am?
Loryn, that's a difficult question to answer. I started ballet late and yes, I did just put on a pair of pointe shoes and bourree across the floor! But everyone is different.
It will come down to what your teacher thinks. If he/she says you're ready for pointe, go for it. It sounds as though you're strong enough. If she says you're not ready yet, don't be tempted to buy a pair of shoes and practice at home, because you can get into bad habits.
Ok, thank you! I'll ask my teacher what she thinks. I have also looked around on the internet for answers to the question "Does dancing en pointe hurt?" and there are loads of different answers.
Some people said "Yes, it hurts a lot", some people said "It doesn't hurt at all", Some people said "It depends whether or not you're ready for pointe", my friend, who's at grade 8 in ballet told me that it hurts at first but then you get used to it, and another person said "It doesn't hurt at first, but then it starts hurting at around your second pair of pointe shoes but then it goes away again". I'm really unsure of which answer to trust. Which do you think sounds most realistic?
Omg, that video is so awful. That girl is WAY too young and inexperienced to start pointe work. I'm 11 and I've been to the dance physician and he said my foot and ankle bones are ossified, but my dance teacehr said I haven't been dancing long enough, even though I started ballet when I was four.
@Loryn, it depends. If you get a perfectly fitting pair of shoes, and you're light and pull up properly out of your feet, it doesn't hurt. Unfortunately, you may not find a perfectly fitting pair straight away!
Some girls use lots of padding in their shoes and if you do that, it doesn't hurt - but it's hard to feel the floor, which means your feet will look like bricks on the end of your legs, instead of beautiful instruments.
@humanbeing, I'm pleased to hear you've had your feet properly assessed by the dance physician. I'm disappointed your teacher is still not letting you go en pointe. There's no such thing as "not dancing long enough". It all comes down to strength. Never mind, though, because you can concentrate on getting all your other technique perfect - you won't lose anything.
I'm 26 and started ballet again about a year ago (I did it for a few years as a kid)-- but I've only been doing one class per week. I can feel myself getting stronger all the time, but I know I'm not strong enough for pointe yet. I just wonder if it is worth aiming for it; I've always wanted to be able to do it, even just to have a bit of a go and not to become skilled at it... but my podiatrist has said I have the beginnings of bunions and osteoarthritis in my big toe joints. Is this a big no-no for pointe work, or can it be compensated for by strength?
Miss Holly, if you've already got bunions then you're either genetically predisposed or you've worn a lot of badly fitted high heels! Pointe work won't necessarily make it worse, if you get properly fitted for pointe shoes.
Here's a good explanation:
Ok, thanks a lot. My dad told me he'd actually talked to a professional ballerina and that she'd told him that it is very painful and quite intolerable. Now I think I understand why! Ha ha ha...
Loryn, I can believe that! In the olden days, most pointe shoe makers only made one kind of shoe. If it didn't fit your foot properly, it was just bad luck, you had to make the best of it. That's why so many retired ballerinas have horrible misshapen feet!
These days when you buy your pointe shoes, the fitter will have lots of different shoes to choose from, and she should be able to find a shoe that's designed specially for your kind of foot.
You might be interested in this explanation of foot shape:
Oh... Ok thank you! That link helped a lot. My mom told me just a couple of days ago that if I'm good she might get me a pair of pointe shoes! YAY!! I can't wait!
thank you all for you comments, my daughter is 9 and had just done her grade 1 rad exam .she has dreams of being a balleria or dance teacher, some of her friend at her school say they are in pointe shoe but her teacher and i have said that she will acheive pointe when her legs are ready so it is great to read all you comments on the subject (she feels so much better knowing the wait will be worth it in the end )
I am 16 years old &I didn't start till I was 12 & then I had danced for 9 years! At my dance school you have to be 11 regardless of talent + you have to take 6 months of strengthing your feet. One of my teachers said that a long time ago they let a very talented 9 year old on Pointe & she ended up having such bad feet by age 13! She did not continue dance after age 13 & they where all very sorry about it.
Kat, I'm so glad that school learned its lesson but such a pity that little girl had to suffer for it.
i'm reading comments about how the 10 year old in the video is wobbly and inexperienced... uhm HELLO, it says it is her first time starting in pointe so of course she will be/seem like that.
Leslie, I'm sorry but you're wrong. If this young girl couldn't stand on a high releve in the center without wobbling, then she wasn't ready to start pointe. Balancing on your toes at the barre is actually easier than balancing on a high releve, so she shouldn't be wobbling.
When talking about "inexperience", people were referring to her posture etc. Yes, she's inexperienced on pointe but she should be experienced in other aspects before starting pointe.
i just saw a quote that said "if you're old enough to go en pointe, you're old enough to sew you're own ribbions" which i thought was so true. you have to be quite old to sew so it makes a ton of sense... of course if you're not ready but you can sew, that's a whole different story. i doubt a nine year old can sew ribbions right. i'm 12 and i am hoping to get my pointe shoes by next summer. i am taking pre-pointe classes and have danced for 10 years so i hope i'm ready!
What a good saying, dancergal! I'm sure you are ready!
This made me so sad, I'm in college now & wish that I could still do dance. I was a very selfish, mean, spoiled & demanding kid. That one day I came home crying because I didn't have pointe shoes, I was in 2nd grade, I had seen 12 & 13 year olds on pointe & I thought I was the best in my class, just because I was the youngest out of 7-9 year olds. My mom gave me whatever I want so she demanded that I would get private lessons in Ballet & Pointe or she would take me out of Ballet, Hip Hop, drama & Tap. Since I was an all around student they didn't take me out. So I got my pointe shoes, I did horribly if I look back but I felt great. Then when I was 10 years old I broke my ankle & had trouble doing ballet again so I quit I regret that so much. I hope teachers learn to say no & from the start teach there students to learn that it would be bad.
Thank you for this artical! My 10 year old is nearly in tears because I won't her go on point until her feet are ready. She's 4'9 and 70 lbs. Growth charts have her at between 5'10 and 6' when she stops growing. Her BFF is 4'7 at 12 years old and comes from a much shorter gene pool. My daughter doesn't understand why her friend can go on point and she can't. I had her read this artical and the comments. I don't think she'll bring it up for awhile. Thanks again, you said it better than I could.
@BalletMombo, sounds like your daughter has potential as a glittering showgirl somewhere like the Folies Bergere! I'm glad the article helped.
I didn't get my point shoes because my "teachers" said that my back had to get stronger. but what got me so upset was that my point class teacher gave the point shoes to the people who was not ready! and now its fall time so one of the girls who I said who was not ready for her point shoes has a big problem with her leg. She would not have this problem if she didn't get her point shoes. and dido to another girl. So i hope I will get my point shoes since I am 12 years old. but onother thing that is not far is that since one of the speech's says that girls 10 years old should not a get there point shoes one girl who is 10 years old got their point shoes. so I hope that I will get my Point Shoes
That girl was not even properly trained! It was obvious that she had not prepared for pointe. So sad, since she could have been good with proper training. I'm 11, been training for 7 years, and still not on pointe (although my teacher is talking about it :D)
@dancerida, the best dancers are those who understand the technique and fundamentals of ballet, so you sound like you're on the right track!
I was wondering if it's possible to be ready for pointe after dancing for only 3 years. My first year of dance I just took one class a week, but my second year I took 3 one hour classes, 2 technique and 1 pre-pointe (with demi-pointe shoes at barre). This is my third year and I am supposed to go en pointe in february. I take 3 90 minutes classes each week,2 technique and 1 pre-pointe but the pre-pointe class will become pointe in february. I have slight achilles tendonitus in my left heel but I'm going to a physical therapist for it and they say I will still be able to go en pointe and it will most likely be gone by then as long as I keep seeing her. I'm 14 but started dancing late at age 12. Do you think I'll still be able to go en pointe this year even though I've only been dancing for three years and have slight achilles tendonitus?
@Lena - yes, it's perfectly possible to be ready for pointe after only 3 years. I've known older dancers go on pointe even sooner than that!
Being ready for pointe work is more about maturity and your body, not number of years of dancing. This article gives you a list to compare yourself with, and some at-home exercises that will help if you're not quite ready:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Pointe-Exercises
The tendinitis is a slight worry, but I would trust your therapist.
I started dancing when I was 12, and my teacher said I had a lot of natural ability so I started dancing in September and got my pointe shoes in february. I am know in my third year of dance and in the second highest level at my studio. Is that safe? Did my teacher put on pointe too early? I took three classes a week then (2 technique, 1 pointe), and now I take 4 technique 2 pointe a week, does this sound about right? Did I go en pointe too early, like as in are there any dangers.
Brittney, because you're 12, I'm not at all concerned that you were on pointe so soon after starting. If you were any younger I'd be worried, but it sounds like your teacher did the right thing.
I am 12 (nearly 13!) and have been doing ballet for 10 yrs but my dance teacher won't let me go on pointe yet. Some friends who go to a different dance school started last year :(
Should I be goin on pointe??
@Dancer, the reality is that the 8 years of ballet you did before age 10 don't count. Before age 10, the skeleton is still soft so teachers can't (or at least shouldn't) teach you full ballet technique. You learn valuable things like musicality, but they don't count towards going en pointe.
The article below gives you a checklist of what you must be able to do before going on pointe. That may give you a clue why your teacher is saying no:
I'm 11 and my teacher says that I can get pointe shoes this spring. I've been dancing for eight years, and I'm pretty strong so I think this is the right choice. Do you?
@Ballerinagirl, as I said to Dancer - when you were very little, the exercises you did weren't real ballet exercises so they don't count. What matters is how strong your bones are and how well you can hold your turnout.
Check yourself against the list in this Hub:
thank you! I will work on that. These comments have really helped me! I practice an hour a day so I think I'll be able to get pointe shoes sooner than later.
I turned eleven a few months ago and I think I'm ready to go on pointe. But after reading all the comments I'm not sure I am, even though my teacher says I'll be soon...I don't know if I should get them soon or wait another year or so?
I am 4 foot 10, 70 pounds, and 11 years old. I'm in a lot of sports involving your legs to help my ballet, and I think I'm pretty much ready for pointe. I'm finishing Grade 3 ballet. Should I go on pointe?
@Charlotte, if you're even a little bit unsure, don't do it. I know it's s-o-o-o tempting to start, but personally I think waiting till you're 12 is better.
If you start when you're only JUST ready, pointe work is hard. Whereas girls who wait until they're REALLY strong - they just get up on their toes and fly! So they catch up very quickly to the girls who started earlier.
Jessika - check yourself against the checklist in the other article I mentioned, and ask your teacher. Basic strength in your legs is good,but you also need strength in the specific muscles used to hold your turnout, and not many sports work those enough.
I'm 14. I turn 15 in February. I've been dancing for almost 11 years, and I've studied hard the past six years. My teacher doesn't want me to go on pointe yet, but I feel very strong and ready to do it. I don't know what to do!
That's tough, Sylvie. Can you ask your teacher why you're not ready? There may be some problem you're not aware of. If you know what it is, you can do exercises at home to address that specific problem.
Thanks for this hub! I'm 10, and I love to dance. Now I know that I probably shouldn't get pointe shoes until I'm 12 or 13.
The video of the 10 year old is very disappointing... I wish she didn't start that early! The teacher did not look experienced whatsoever. I have a daughter who is 11 and a half and is hoping to get pointe shoes. Is 11 and a half a good age to start pointe work?
@Ms Laurenstein, 11 and a half is a good age for some girls, but too soon for others. It all depends on whether she's developed her balance and turnout enough. To be on the safe side, wait till she's 12 - but also be guided by her teacher.
I'm pretty sure I'm not ready for point but I know I will be soon I've been dancing for 5 years but until then I'll just keep doing releves
I don't think I'm quite ready for pointe shoes (though I will be in four or so months), but a girl in my class says I should get them NOW. I don't think I should trust her, but I don't know. My teacher says I should wait until May or June, but this girl's mom is pressuring her to get them earlier, and now she's pressuring me. I trust my teacher, but I don't know what to think anymore!
my ballet teacher is moving next year, but i dont know how i will dance, because i dont know another place 2 dance at near me. how can i find a good teacher? what shoud i look for?
@Ballet-Lover, just because that girl is stupid, don't let her pressure you! You sound like a good dancer who knows what's right for her body, so stick to your guns and do what's right for you.
Perhaps you could show her these articles, although she sounds like she's so obsessed with getting on pointe, she's not going to be sensible.
@sara, often ballet teachers know each other, so ask your current teacher if she can recommend someone.
I am thirteen years old right now and I started pointe when i was twelve. I go to youtube and watch all these amazing girls on pointe who are only ten or nine and its really discouraging. How am i going to catch up to them when theyve been doing pointe two or three years more than me? I want to be a professional but idk.....
Krista, those "amazing" girls who were on pointe at nine or ten will probably give up dancing before they turn professional, because their feet have been wrecked by starting too soon.
Twelve is the perfect age to start pointe - you will catch them up and pass them,don't worry!
Age is not a factor. Period. Bone growth in the foot that has been used in studies years ago has scientifically been proven as not a factor. The growth is completed until often 17-19 yo! Using that as a reason to wait until a dancer is 12-13 is a moot issue. In addition, the only way you would know is by taking a series of x-rays for several years to determine if the growth is at least 80%. You cannot tell my looking at one x-ray! The factors simply are technique and foot/ankle muscle STRENGTH. The muscles surrounding the bones is the most current and validated factors using the most recent medical science and studies. Of course, musicality, coordination, and mental maturity should accompany these medical/physical minimums. There ARE 9yo's that possess these attributes. There are 13 yo's who do not. Pointe shoe readiness should be determined by an Artistic Director, along with a medical practitioner who is skilled in this area. It is not to be determined by parents, friends, and "thought leaders" on a blogging board. There are no fast and quick judgments. There are schools and conservatories where dancers study 6 days a week and build the strength and technique necessary at an earlier age. There are dance schools where kids train 2-3 days a week and may not be ready until they are 15yo. Neither one is better. There is simply a "best" for each dancer. Those who are judging and basing hard, fast rules on these dancers are using information that is archaic and way out-of-date. Simply research recent medical studies and read/learn. As a physician who has spoken with one of the study originators from the 1970's (when "bone growth" was first mentioned), I am shocked that people still follow this word-of-mouth information vs. learning what has been scientifically proven in the past 10 years! There is much to be learned.
Thank you, Rose, for this very detailed response. I've learned something today and will certainly be doing some further research. However, I don't think it changes my message substantially.
I doubt that any girl in full-time training would read this article - it's aimed at dancers in the average ballet school. They usually have NO access to "a medical practitioner who is skilled in this area", and don't even know they need it. In that situation, isn't it better to err on the safe side and delay going en pointe?
I have made some changes to the wording in the article to make that clearer, thank you again for your input.
How many times a week should i practice ballet to be good enough to get pointe shoes?
I've got a couple questions. One: Do you actually stand on the tips of your toes when you're on pointe? And two: If so, should I practice going on the tips of my toes before I get pointe shoes?
@beauty, it's not about how often you practice ballet, it's how well you practice it! You also need to do the correct exercises to develop the specific strength and technique you need.
@Keeley, the shoe provides support so the weight is spread to other parts of the foot, too, not just the tips of your toes. So there's no benefit to practicing going on the tips of your toes before you get pointe shoes - but doing lots of releves will help.
I started en pointe when I was 8 and it did nothing but weaken my ankles, which is partially why I ended up fracturing my growth plate in my right ankle when I was 13, making it impossible for me to dance again (without surgery). I agree with 12 being a good age to begin pointe.
@Molly, I'm grateful to you for giving such a good example of what can go wrong - but I'm so sorry that you had to suffer to give me that example.
I'm 12, but i'm still doubtful 2 go on pointe. one of my teachers says that i am ready, but my mom doesnt want me to, she wants me to wait until I'm 13 which isn't for a long time. What should i do?
I think that you should go to a good doctor and get tested to see if you are ready for pointe. If you are 10 and they say you are strong enough. I think you should go on. Only if your strong even. I'm ten I i'm getting tested for ponite tomorrow! :) I can't go on if i'm not ready. Only if i am.
@Sabrina - is your Mom a trained dancer? If not, how can she know? Like Bunhead says, the best thing is to get checked by a specialist doctor, but not everyone can afford that.
I know 13 seems like a long way away, but you can spend the year working hard on your releves and balances, so when the time comes, you can pop straight up on pointe no problem!
Remember, even if you're ten and pretty strong it doesnt necessarily mean it's safe to go on point...be careful
My best friend moved this year, and i've been taking dance lessons normally. She has only just found a dance class, but she keeps saying that she's getting pointe shoes really soon, which makes me feel bad and even a little jealous, because we've both always been on the same level of dance and been nice about it to each other. I can't get pointe shoes until I'm 12 (9 months away!! :D) she turns 12 in May. my mom says i should be happy for her if she gets them sooner than me, but the thing is we're on the same level and i feel like she'd brag and act like she was better than me if she got them before me. I saw her a couple weeks ago and we were still the same, if that helps. Please help me!!
@Annabelle, that is hard! But if your mom and teacher say you're not ready, you don't have much choice.
The only thing I can suggest is this: read my article on pointe exercises:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Pointe-Exercises
and start working on them in your spare time. Sure, you'll have to put up with her bragging for the next few months - but if you work hard at your exercises, you'll be off and dancing as soon as you get your pointe shoes, which will leave her standing!
Well the thing is my mom did study dance when she was younger and she did get en pointe, so i dont know...
@Sabrina, maybe she had a bad experience going on pointe too early. That's bad luck for you!
Like I said to Annabelle, the thing to remember is that once you get your pointe shoes, you spend the first few months building up your strength. Most dancers don't realize you can build up that strength BEFORE you get your shoes by doing the right exercises. I really recommend the Perfect Pointe Book - it is expensive but it will give you lots of stuff to work on while you wait.
I LOVE ballet I have been dancing for about eight years now. I am going to get point shoes soon. Which kind of point shoes are the best????
Which pointe shoes are best? Ooh what a question! Unfortunately there's no single answer.
The best pointe shoes for YOU are the ones that fit YOUR foot the best. That won't be the same as me, or the girl next to you. This article on foot shape explains it:
I really really really love ballet and I am taking it twice a week. I practice at least five days a week (including my dance lessons) for an hour.
Is this about the right amount of time to be dancing a week??? I know that it is all about how WELL you practice but I am just wondering...
@ballerinagirl, you sound like you're working hard. The only thing I would say is - be careful if you're practising a lot at home, without a teacher. It's good to practice, but you can easily get into bad habits when there's no one there to correct you.
For practice at home, it's really better to do a floor barre as it prevents you making mistakes:
ok... but is that the right amount of time to be practicing?
@ballerinagirl, make sure you always have one day off a week with no practice at all, to give your body time to rest. Personally I think it's best to have one day off for every three days you practice - it helps reduce injuries.
Ok! I will thanks for your advice!
I have been looking a lot on the internet to see some good stretches to get you on point and into a split. I don't know which websites to trust... do you have some good stretches that get you ready for point or splits or do you have a good website you recommend?
Thanks so much! :-)
I really recommend the Perfect Pointe Book (see the video and link above) but it is expensive. If you're serious about becoming a ballerina, it would be worth asking your Mom if she will buy it for you - it's got everything you need.
There are some videos in this article that will help:
When you are on point shoes are you on the tippy top of your toes??? I am getting point shoes soon hopefully and I am trying to figure as much as I can about them. Thank you!
Yes you are, @balletlover. You can't stand on the tippy top of your toes normally, so the shoes have to be made in a very special way to let you do that.
If you follow the link I gave ballerinagal, you'll find an exercise on how to do releves properly. That will help you get strong and able to rise as high as you can without shoes - then when you get your shoes, you only have a little bit extra to go!
I have been looking up on the previous comments, and you are more or less saying that you do no think anyone should get point shoes unless they are twelve or older. But how do you tell when you are able to get point shoes? Should you go to the doctor? Ask your teacher and parents? Or are there some sort of symptom kind of things that happen?? I have no idea but there is no harm in asking, right? :-) Thank you!!
PS
I think this website is really really cool!
Yes, Isabella, that's what I'm saying. Under the age of 11 or 12, you need to see a special doctor to find out if it's safe to go on pointe.
After that age, a teacher can tell you when you're ready by looking at how strong you are and how your technique is. Here's what she'll be looking for:
Ok thanks for your advice! I am eleven and hoping to go on point shoes next year! I am so so so excited! Yay!
i'm moving to grade 4 after this year. is that a good time to get pointe?
What grade in ballet should a 11 year old be in?
what r some good exersises to help me build the strength in my toes?
@lollipop, it's not a question of which grade you're in, it's a question of whether you're strong enough yet.
Same answer for you, @cupcakelover - it's not your age, it's how much ballet you've done in the past, and what your teacher prefers. Some teachers make you start at the beginning no matter how old you are.
@thinkpink, use a theraband and do proper releves. This article shows you how:
ok! I have been dancing for eight years and I am eleven. But do you know any good ballet movies?????????? Anyone can answer this... Does ANYONE know any good ballet movies???????
How do you do a split?
i read the message from cupcakelover, and you can get the RAD video and watch it. It's fun and sometimes i do it in ballet class. I'm 11 too, and I've been dancing for nine years. I hope to start point soon!!!
@cupcakelover, the first thing you have to understand is that up to the age of 8, ballet lessons are just playing. You learn how to move to music but you're not given any serious exercises to start strengthening your body. Even Grades 1/2 are pretty gentle. So you can't really count any of those years as preparing you for pointe.
If you haven't been working at Grade 3/4 level for a while, it's highly unlikely you're ready for pointe - but you can easily check yourself by looking at the criteria here:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Pointe-Exercises
Ballet movies - Tales of Beatrix Potter.
Why is it so bad to do a split without being stretched first?
Because a split is an extreme position. Trust me, I know - I did a split once, in performance on a cold night, and I ripped my hamstring. It's not a nice feeling, trust me!
YOW! That must of hurt!!!!
I have been asking a ton questions lately... I am sorry if I am annoying you, :-( I just want to say that if ANYONE is reading this then that are doing the right thing. This website is AMAZING it is FANtASTiC it is AMAZINGLY FANTASTIC! It gives you advice all the way from bar exercises to different brands of point shoes! I want to thank you for making this website and taking the trouble to go and answer every single question (I am sure that if I did that I would start getting annoyed by the answers that you some how have to repeat because people have not taken the effort to look to see what others have wrote,) Just saying! Thank you thank you thank you!
Sincerely
cupcakelover
I think that what you wrote, cupcakelover was very nice!
why, thank you amazinggal!!!!
hihihihihihihihihi i think this website is really cool!!!
I am really wondering how to do a split!!
@cupcakelover, thanks, I'm glad you're finding it all so useful.
@pinksheep, to do it the conventional way takes practice and lots of time. However my friend Lisa Howell, who wrote the fantastic Perfect Pointe Book (see link above), has also written a book on how to do the splits faster:
http://www.frontsplitsfast.com/
It really works!
about how long would it take to get into a FULL spit?
I'm afraid there's no straight answer. Weeks, at least. Depends on your body and how hard you're prepared to work!
oh. Ok thank you.
I love dancing. I am really interested in working on getting my split perfect and hopefully soon getting point shoes! How many times a week should a average level ballerina be taking lessons? Thank you.
I read cupcakelover's comment and it was very sweet, I found this website very useful too. I googled "what is the right age to start pointe?" and lots of things came up. Fortunately I picked this, and I have just one question: How do you tie ribbons on pointe shoes? I might be getting mine soon, and I'd like to know how to sew and tie them so that I am all ready for when I get there? Is there any website or diagram you'd recommend? Thanks!
@ballet, you don't say how old you are. If you're aiming for a professional career and you're over 14, you should be doing about 10 hours a week.
@Pinkie, you'll find lots of tips here:
Oh, okay thank you!!!
Thanks Pinkie!
Ok, let me sum it up to you... I am a an eleven year old girl who is average level in ballet and takes lessons twice a week, I am wondering if I should be taking ballet three times a week or if two is good... thanks
PS
my lessons are 1 hour long...
Oops sorry - I posted a reply but for some reason it didn't appear.
If you're hoping to make a career of ballet then twice a week is the minimum you should be doing. If you can manage three times a week it would be better - but if you can't, it's not the end of the world. You still have a year or two to decide!
Ok, thanks I think for now I will continue dancing twice a week and maybe next year I will start doing three... Thank you for your advice it really helped!
got any advice on how to nail a split?
@pink bunny, daily stretching!
I am 12 and a half and just started pointe this December. For anyone with questions like " does it hurt" or " what shoe are the best" I will give you my best answer. For me, it does not feel bad but the pain is definitely bearable. It depends on how your shoes fit or what type of feet you have. Make sure you wear the needed padding so you don't damage your feet. I have Bloch serenades, they are good for feet with tapered toes and high arches. The best shoes are made for your feet, so there is no single answer. Also, you could be any age ( reasonably 8 and older) to go up ONLY if your bones are developed, your whole body is strong, and you get permission.
@Emma, you are absolutely right, thanks for posting.
Ur very welcome. I have seen that video many times, and I think it is sa that she wa allowed to go up like that. Ur right. Standing up en pointe in certain positions is much easier that balncing on Demi pointe. I know someone at my studio who went up when she was 8, and I don't know what her story was, but she recently sprained her ankle and she is ten now
"Standing up en pointe in certain positions is much easier that balncing on Demi pointe". LOL, Emma, people don't believe me when I say that! I loved it when I got up on pointe because I always struggled with pirouettes, and they were so much easier on my toes.
I know!!! But the only one that hard for me is second cu it ms hard to get that much over the box
I just wanted to say that I just got the "Perfect point book" by Lisa A. Howell (the physiotherapist for dancers) and I think it is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! She gives you all these stretches that will help you strengthen your feet- and she explains a lot of thing involving point like what the right time for point and so on. Although it is pretty expensive I think it is totally worth it! Thank you Marisa for making this hub and sharing advice to other dancers like myself! :)
Hi- just wondering if Lisa Howell wrote any other books besides the perfect point book, earlier you wrote that you were friends with her so I figured you would know... thanks!
@Girlwholovesballet, yes Lisa has written another book, it's called "Front Splits Fast":
Oh! Yay! I have the perfect point book too and it is awesome! Do you have any other ballet books that you recommend? Thanks!
Yeah I would also like to know what are some good ballet books.
Ballet books - I'm not a huge fan of books about ballet technique (except the Perfect Pointe Book), because you can't really learn ballet from a book!
hi, i was just wondering 2 things: ive been doing dance for a long time and im turning 12 soon so would it be okay to ask for point shoes for my 12th birthday- I practice 2-3 times a week & my teacher says its okay it depends if i want to or not (i'm still a little worried about ruing my feet but I was relieved to hear that you think 12 is an okay age to start point, no earlier) Or should i wait until I am 13 or 14? I dont care just as long as my feet arent ruined that would ruin MY LIFE. anyway the second thing- should i go on demi pointe before pointe or doesnt it really matter. i already do point exercises (my friend has the perfect point book & she shares the exercises with me, they're really helpful) so is it even better preparation for point to go on demi point first?? sorry for all the questions just want to be safe before i go on pointe :)
@12yearoldtobe - if your teacher says you're ready, trust her judgment.
I'm not sure what you mean by demi-pointe - as you know, you already spend a lot of time rising to demi-pointe and balancing on demi-pointe. So I assume what you mean is, should you buy demi-pointe shoes?
Personally, I think they're a complete waste of money. They don't strengthen your feet. The only thing they do is get you used to the strange feeling of a pointe shoe on your feet. So if you're ready for pointe, you may as well go straight for the pointe shoes!
I'm 22 and want to restart ballet classes. I danced until I was 15 but I was still relatively new to pointe at that stage, mainly because I went to a small rural dance studio where multiple levels were grouped in the same class. I'm hoping to start taking classes again in May. With hard work and at least two classes a week, would it be reasonable to hope to start pointe by February (or even sooner)? I understand your answer is no hard and fast guarantee but my bones obviously aren't developing and I have a dance background.
@Annie, I went back to ballet at the age of 40 and I was back up on my pointes within six months. Everyone's different so you may not have the same experience, but I think your goal is not unreasonable.
Oh ... Okay thanks! yes i meant whether i should go on demi pointe so thanks! also I just got this bracelet, it has some chemical in it that makes you more flexible and it's definitely helped with dance. I'd recommend this bracelet to any dancer who needs a little more flexibility! It's called CPrime but unfortunately they're very pricy, 80-100 dollars a bracelet. iknow that has nothing to do with pointe but just a cool fact!! (it's really helped me with ballet!!)
what is demi point????????????????
I almost cried when I watched the video of the 10-year-old. I feel so sorry that she started so early! Luckily I started pointe when I was 13 and I was strong enough by then. My sister started at 9, but she didn't continue after age 14 because her feet were too damaged. It makes me so sad to relive those memories. The little girl should stop pointe soon, because if she does, her feet are going to be permanently damaged! Hopefully she's realized by now and stopped doing pointe. Her teacher didn't seem like a professional, even! Girls, watch out. Your feet could get ruined so quickly!
Thanks for the comment, Sophie. Your sister's story is all too common and I'm so sorry it happened to her.
@Tara, demi-pointe shoes are shoes with a block and sole like a pointe shoe, but without a shank, so they're not stiff enough to get up on pointe. It's supposed to prepare dancers who aren't quite ready for pointe yet, but I don't see the point...
I've noticed there's a lot of stuff here about 10 year olds and how that's too young to start pointe, and a lot about 12 year olds and how that's the right age. What should you do when you're 11? I know that's not very particular, but should you be taking preparing for pointe classes? I'm about to turn 11 and I think It would be helpful to know what I should do over the course of the year before I go en pointe. Thanks!
Good point, Molly! You may well be ready at 11, it all depends on the individual and how seriously you've been training.
This article gives you some information on the basic preparation - if you can afford it, I recommend the Perfect Pointe Book (maybe you could share the purchase with another student or students?)
i'm only 13 but there is a girl in my class thats younger than me and she quit ballet and has not long come back, but she's started pointe before me and i think thats quite unfair. i don't know what to do ! :'( is it worth asking my ballet teacher ?????
Definitely Danni! But make sure you ask the right way, you don't want to upset your teacher or make her think you're challenging her.
The best way to ask is something like, "I'd really like to start pointe, can you tell me what's holding me back?"
She may tell you your feet or legs aren't strong enough, or your balance isn't steady enough. If that's the case, read my article (link in the comment above) to find what kind of exercises you need to do.
Danni, ditto:P I asked and she said it requires more physical maturity:( so she'll say the same to you too:( I reckon if we work hard in grade 5 she might let us?
I went to get an x-ray, and my foot plates were still open. Sometime in the end of April I will go to a foot doctor to see if I can go on pointe. Even though my plates are still open do I have a chance to go on pointe??
Grace
@Lauren, that answer's not very helpful! It's not about age, really, it's about strength and control - maybe ask her what exercises you should do to get ready.
@Grace, the foot doctor is the expert, I wouldn't presume to second-guess him. Good luck!
I'm 12 and a half. At my ballet school, all of the girls are very competitive about going en pointe. Some of my friends went en pointe 2 years ago! Others are still waiting, like I am. But here's the thing: I'm not really sure I do want to go en pointe. I want to be a successful dancer, but I don't want to go en pointe. Can I still be a successful dancer if I don't ever go on pointe? If it is okay, how do I tell my teacher that I don't want to? (She says that I will be ready when I turn 13, which is in June.) Thanks.
Oh, and I forgot to say this earlier, but I don't want to go en pointe because I don't want my feet to get damaged or destroyed. My mom says that when she was growing up, there was a girl who was 14 who went en pointe but her feet got damaged within a year later. I don't think it's worth the pain if I can still be a successful dancer in the future. Thanks.
@girl, it depends what kind of dancing you want to do. If you want to dance classical ballet, you have to do pointe.
It's a shame if you really want to dance ballet and one scarey story is putting you off. Can you afford to see a proper foot doctor to get a professional opinion?
Here's the thing, though - classical ballet is the most competitive, toughest kind of dancing you can do. You can practice for hours, wreck your feet and still never even make it into the corps de ballet of a decent company. If you're not already the girl who stands out in class, chances are you're not going to be one of the lucky ones.
Whereas there's a whole world of other dancing out there, and ballet training is an excellent preparation for all of it. You don't need pointe to join a contemporary company, or to dance on Broadway. Then there's flamenco, belly dancing, and ballroom dancing, all of which have career paths.
Hi! I have been dancing classical ballet for 2 years, and LOVE it! I go once a week, but twice a week for rehearsal. I'm ten and i want to know what demi-pointe is, so i can ask if i can start it. I'm not sure if 10 is too early? I might start pointe at age 12, and would like to know if that's too early... My dance school has pre-pointe, and i would like to know what age i should start that, and what it is. THANKS! I love your article, by the way.
PS- my teacher is a professional, and my school goes by years and i'm in Ballet Three which is for 4th ot 5th grade, and I'm the oldest in my class.
@Caroline, demi-pointe is a kind of shoe. It's half-way between a soft shoe and a pointe shoe. If you do RAD exams, you must wear them for certain grades. Personally I think they're all for show, and don't help you get ready for pointe at all. You'll strengthen your feet much better doing the exercises in soft shoes, than in half-and-half shoes, in my opinion.
"Prepointe class" means different things in different schools. Basically they're all designed to prepare you for pointe work, but different schools use different methods.
In some schools, you'll wear soft shoes and do exercises to prepare you for pointe work. In other schools, you'll wear demi-pointe shoes for those classes. There are even a few schools who use pointe shoes in prepointe classes (but all the exercises are at the barre).
If your teacher is a professional, she's the best judge of when you go on pointe. Good luck!
Hello. I am in Grade 3-4 dance and I am almost 12 years old. I have been dancing since I was six carefully. I have learned all of the barre exercises and centre exercises, and my teacher says no pointe yet. She is a college student who is very good in ballet so I feel like I should definitely trust her. What do you think? I want to be 100% sure that I should wait for pointe until I am thirteen or fourteen.
@Fia, I recommend you ask your teacher for more information. Ask her if there are specific areas where you need to strengthen for pointe.
Study this article first, so you understand what's needed - you might even see some areas where you're weak yourself:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Pointe-Exercises
If she's just a college student she may not be quite experienced enough herself yet, and is being on the safe side in not letting you do pointe. Asking intelligent questions will help her make up her mind, too!
is there a way to strenthen my ankles and also straighten my toes, because my ballet teach said that's all thats holding me back. please can you give me some help !!!! thanks :D
@dancing Danni - releves, releves, releves. Make sure you're doing them properly, there's a video clip in this article that shows you the right way:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Pointe-Exercises
Also get yourself a Theraband and do exercises with it - the Theraband is good because it stops you curling your toes.
I'm 11 turning 12 in a couple of months. I was shocked watching that 10 year old girl on pointe! I have a really high arch, great turnout, a large point and can hold piruet position on 3qtr point for 13seconds, how can I tell if my ankles are strong?
I loved these articles...I am 16, and I used to do ballet and get en pointe when I was 11. I always loved ballet but I doubt that my whole body structurally would have been good in ballet. I loved it, but with all my schoolwork I just couldn't handle it. I stopped when I was 14. Pointe was my favorite part of ballet and wish I could have done more of it :)
@Olivia, if you can hold a balance without wobbling, your ankles are strong! although it's not just your ankles that matter, it's the strength of the whole leg that's important.
This brought back lovely memories - Lillitah, I can see your issue perfectly, and how pointe is too wonderful to forget. I danced in pointe shoes for over 10 years. People don't know I'm a dancer-- It's kind of my hidden talent. I'm too old to do ballet now, but I cherish the years I spent dancing. I now work at a dance company, and teach once a week. Teaching Pointe is wonderful to eager beginners and young ballerinas. Thank you Marisa.
I'm 12 now but my teacher put me on pointe at about 9 3/4. At our studio you have to be at least ten to be on pointe and I technically was too young to be in the class but she put me in it anyway. I was supposed to stay in the pre-pointe class for another year but she insisted that I was strong enough and my mother, who knows absolutely nothing about dance, didn't object. We didn't do much pointe in that first year, mostly pas de bourres and relevees at the barre and barely anything at the center and we didn't do our performance on pointe that year either. I wanted to know if I shouldn't have started pointe then or if by doing so it will damage my feet later (which it hasn't done yet, my feet are very strong)
Hi, my name is Star and I'm 13 years old. My teacher is letting me go on pointe. I have my very first lesson tomorrow. I am very excited. I was just wonderingg:what is a sickle. i have a ballet Book, and it says something about sickling but i do not know what it is, it sounds very bad. Does it affect your pointe? WHat is the safest way to keep your balance when you are up on your pointe shoes. Btw there are 2 eight year olds at my dance school. One of them, she went on pointe and her feet got ruine QUICK. The other one is really good, and she is still dancing on pointe. Shes really good. @dancergirl, you might be able to relate to her. Even if you've already started pointe, can you stop and save your feet? Because Maybe I should warn this girl, if her feet get damaged someday. Or is it too late? Thanks. I read every single comment. When I looked it up, I thought that I would have to ask LOOOOOTS of questions, but thankfully, most of them were answered throughout this hub! Thanks again. Sincerely, Star *
@dancergirl, if you're 12 now and not feeling any problems, you may be OK. Everyone is individual and some girls CAN go on pointe early - the danger is that it takes a real expert to know who can do it and who can't, and that's why I always recommend being on the safe side.
@star, point your foot hard and look at it from the front. If it bends to one side, that's a sickle. You want your foot to point absolutely straight, not bending in or out.
If you have good turnout muscles in your legs and a strong foot, you don't need to worry about how to balance on your pointes - you just will. In the right shoes, it's actually less wobbly than standing on a high releve.
I'm so sorry to hear about the eight year old who ruined her feet. The other girl sounds like she's one of the rare ones whose feet were strong enough at the time.
Hi, I would like to know how much the average pair of pointe shoes costs? My sister, who is 12 going on 13, is planning to get her pointe shoes (I'm not a dancer) and money is a slight worry. And where is the best place to order pointe shoes? Thanks. I enjoyed seeing the thorough responses to this commonly asked, puzzling question. You've cleared it up beautifully and now there won't be as many desperate questions as to when I should get them, etc.
Hello, I am a dancer. I have been doing ballet for about 10 years now. I'm 12 (almost 13!) and enjoy dance very much. I have not gotten my pointe shoes yet but hope to. My great-great- grandmother danced on the tips of her toes back a long time ago. Pointe is beautiful, and I cannot wait to do it. My teacher has a special rule that you must be 14 to get pointe shoes, and even then some girls will not be ready. They have never, not even the talented kids, let someone under the age of 14 go on pointe. I like that idea. I think that being strong and ready for pointe is best so, like the ten-year-old in the video might, you don't injure your feet at an early age. Everyone thinks that I am ready for pointe esxcept me and my teacher. Maybe I would think so if I didn't have such a cautious teacher, but I am going to wait until I am 14 because I believe that this is the safest way. I have no desire to rush it; I am going to enjoy dance in my demi pointe shoes for as long as I need to-- My teacher says by the time I am 14-15-16, I will be ready, so I am very excited. Thanks for this. My sister, who is 17 and has been dancing pointe since she was 11 (she went to a different ballet school) was skeptical of me waiting until I was 14, so I looked up the right age. Thank you for this hub. I enjoy reading your hubs :)
Intriguing. I haves taught dance fors many years, and my 12 and 13 years olds are so anxious to gets on pointes. I trys to tell thems that there is absolutelys no rush, that you cans still be successful in your dances before you goes on pointes. I dances in France fors many years and the parents trusts me. My dancers are nots so sure. I haves class tomorrow. Perhaps I shoulds shows thems this web Site. Thank you. I believes that girls should wait untils they is at least 13. 12 is the earliests ones should starts. 11 and 10 is to early. Their muscle has not fully develops yets. I encourage each young dancers to wait for this excitinglys awaiting moments.
@Brenna,unfortunately pointe shoes are expensive! They range from $40 to $80 a pair. This article gives information on where you can buy discount pointe shoes:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Discount-Pointe-Shoes
and you'll find pointe shoes for sale here:
However, I wouldn't advise your sister to buy her first shoes online. It's very important they are properly fitted by a trained fitter - badly fitting shoes can be dangerous.
@Katydid - I like the fact your teacher plays it safe, although for a dancer who's aiming to become professional, waiting beyond 14 years old is leaving things a bit late!
That is what everyone thinks. Sometimes I agree, too. I think maybe it should be 13, but 14 is good too, just to play it safe, you know? They let the ones who are looking for a career go when they're 14, and the ones like me who aren't exactly looking for a career just success, 14-15-16. Thanks. Lots of people think 14 is way too late, but I think that the word "Way" is pushing it. Older than 16 would be really too late, even for dancers who are just looking for success, but I personally think 14 is the best age to start pointework.
Hi, I posted earlier, like a few months ago I think, and I said that I hadn't gone on pointe and I was almost 15. Well, I am 15 now, and I still haven't gone on pointe. My teacher says that "I am not ready yet" but all of the other girls have gone on pointe! They even let an 9 year old go on pointe, and I am 6 years older than that girl! I am really confused. She said that my turnout wasn't good enough and my legs weren't strong enough, but I have been studying dance for a while now, like 10 years I think, and I can't understand why she won't let me go on pointe.
Hi. I am 11 1/2 years old and have been taking ballet lessons for 9 years. I really enjoy them. I studied at a ballet school in my town for 6 of the 9 years and the last 3 years I have been working with a 19-year-old girl who is going to be a ballerina after she graduates from college. She is leaving high school (where I live) next year, and I am hoping to find a new teacher. She says that I can get my first pointe shoes when I turn 12, in early October. Is this reasonable? We are working on pas de chat, attitude, waltzes, balances, and lots of releves now. She says that my turnout is getting better and my feet and ankles stronger. My point is strong and do excersizes to make our feet stronger. Do you think that I am ready to go on pointes? Btw I LOVED your hub.
Anna Lawrence, age 11 1/2
It must be very fun to be a dancer. How old were you when you started? I am too old now to start I think-- 18-- but I think it would have been awesome to be a ballet dancer. I saw your hub on too late to start ballet and I suppose it is too late for me. But how old were you when you started? jw :)
@Katydid, I wouldn't say 14 is "way" too late, but it is borderline if you want to turn professional. I agree, though, that if you're just dancing for pleasure it doesn't really matter how long you delay.
@Sylvie, there are two possibilities here.
One is that you're not training hard enough. How many classes a week are you doing? If it's only one or two, then you need to be doing extra daily exercises - work your feet with a theraband, and do slow, very high releves.
The other possibility - though I hate to say it - is that you're one of those rare people who will never be strong enough for pointe. It does happen.
In that case should i quit ballet? :( Oh and I am doing 3 classes a week
What about me? LOL
@Sylvie, only you can answer that.
If you're hoping for a professional career, you need to have a serious talk with your teacher and ask her to tell you, honestly, what your prospects are.
If you're just doing it for pleasure, it really doesn't matter whether you get on pointe or not. But if it bugs you, why not try another dance style, like lyrical jazz or contemporary, that don't use pointe?
@Anna, sorry I missed you! You sound like you're on track to get on pointe, good luck.
Thank you. I talked to my teacher and she says that I can go on pointe after this year. Also I am going to a jazz class this afternoon just to try it out so wish me luck. i hope it works out :)
Thank you, I didn't think so because right now I'm in a class with mostly high school age girls and I'm just as strong as most of them and stronger than some but I wasn't sure.
Thanks for the information. My daughter has been selected to begin pre-pointe/basic pointe classes. She is 11 years and 4 months. She has been in ballet for 5 years and has gradually increased her class load. She is now in 4 ballet classes per week. I am still concerned about the dangers of starting too early.
Sally, sounds like she's doing the right things. If you're still worried, you could enquire about sending her to a medical specialist who could reassure you - bu that is expensive.
My best friend is 11, but she's been dancing since she was 4 and is an amazing dancer! She's really strong, so she is also in intermediate foundation. But, she is really underdeveloped and I'm worrying about her. My teacher has been teaching for 30 years and only lets one person from each grade EVER go into pointe. I'm turning 11 soon, and I hope when I'm 12 I'll be on Pointe!
@Jade, I don't think you need worry about your friend going on pointe, if your teacher is so careful. However, I do worry if she's "underdeveloped". That may mean she's working too hard and not getting enough nutrition to fuel her growing muscles.
It's quite common for young dancers to worry too much about getting fat, and cut back on the good foods as well as the bad ones.
Also, I am finishing grade 3 and going straight into grade 5, but i'm staying in grade 5 for two years (because of the hours you have to put in for an Rad exam). Is there any way to help flexibility and strength (I'm 11 at the beginning of August, so my bones are really stiff!) Also, I'm afraid to ask my teacher if I'm ready for pointe, 'cos i only started in 2008. My teacher is ultra strict, and no student of hers has ever gotten an injury on pointe. She doesn't particularly care about the age of the student (Some girls in Grade 8 don't have soft pointe shoes yet :() I'm hoping that you can help me NOT sickle, 'cos I do that accidentally in battments tendus sometimes, and the teacher is always saying that. Thanx 4 the help!
Sorry, but one more thing. Does it matter if you are overweight for your age (But not for my height-I'm average weight for my height)
@Jade, if you can afford the Perfect Pointe Book, buy it - it has a lot of good exercises for strength and will give you the best possible preparation. The same author has a book on flexibility, too.
It doesn't matter if you're overweight for your age, if you're also tall for your age.
As for the sickle - strengthening will help solve that, because it's caused by one side of your ankle being stronger than the other side. Practice pointing NOT sickled with a theraband and it will gradually even up.
My dance teacher says that I need stronger ankles but someone has started before me has started pointe but she's told me that she knows her ankles aren't strong enough. Shes told the teacher but the teacher doesn't seem to be listening as she told her she'd be fine. She knows her ankles aren't strong enough and mone are stronger than hers !! Wat should we do coz we're really confused thanks !! X
Danni, there's probably no point in arguing with the teacher! I strongly recommend the other girl starts working on her ankles at home, you'll find exercises here:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Pointe-Exercises
That will help protect her from injury.
You should do ankle-strengthening exercises too, every day, so you can prove to your teacher that they're strong enough!
Hello.
I started on pointe when I was 9 O.O
but the teachers I had were TERRIBLE
I was 2 years on pointe and then rested another 2 years
I started on pointe again when I was 13
I dont have any injuries and I have never cut my feet while dancing on pointe.
Do you think it's ok what i did?????
@dancelover, you may have started pointe too early, but it sounds like you've escaped any damage, so don't worry.
this article was very helpful! i begun pointe at 12 and started with simple things. I agree that starting young can really damage your feet! im really glad i have a good dance teacher, and i hope that my feet are alright, are there excersizes i could do to make sure though?
@Izzy, I've just started a series on pointe exercises on my blog,
http://pointeshoesonline.com/category/pointe-exerc
so you could subscribe to that. I also strongly recommend the Perfect Pointe book
http://pointeshoesonline.com/the-perfect-pointe-bo
which is full of amazing exercises for pointe work.
Hi, I was just wondering what you think of these 7 year old Russian girls on pointe?
Ooh, Chouette, that looks scary! She has nice technique but it worries me that her legs aren't quite straight - you should always be very pulled up when on pointe and I'm not sure she is. I also hope she was approved to do pointe by a doctor, not just her teacher!
Hi, Again! I'm eleven now, and next year going on to ballet 4!!! YAY! We might have pre-pointe incorporated or pre-pointe the year after. I finished my recital, i did March of The Siamese Children!
Hi my name is Cammie and I'm 11 years old. I'm turning 12 in October. My ballet teacher says to take it easy this summer and don't do too much dancing. The only problem with this is that I'm hoping to go on pointe this fall. I don't know if I should be dancing practically every day this summer if I want to go on pointe this fall or if I can just take it easy and inch back in in September and get my pointe shoes around the time of my birthday. Do I have to dance this summer, or should i lay off for a little bit?
Sincerely,
Cammie Morgan
PS Great hub! I liked it a lot. I was worried that 12 was too early to start, but now I'm assured that it's the perfect age!! :)
Cammie, I would lay off the dancing over summer, like your teacher says. Instead, spend your time doing prepointe exercises.
Here are some to get you started:
http://pointeshoesonline.com/category/pointe-exerc
This would be a great time to buy the Perfect Pointe Book as it's full of exactly the right exercises:
Wow, that girl is doing serious damage to herself. It was painful to watch... But I've been doing pointe since I was 8 (I'm a lot bigger than that midget lol - jk haha I call anyone under 5'7" a midget). And don't try to say my teacher is under qualified; she was one of George Balanchine's favorite students. Unlike that teacher in the video, who doesn't look professional at all and doesn't seem to know what she's talking about. And if there's only ONE kid in her class, why doesn't she notice those sickled feet???
Hi again Marisa, thanks for replying so soon last time I asked a Q and sorry I didn't reply. I'm now 27 and still doing ballet 1 x per week-- I did 3x per week for a while but started getting way too perfectionistic and stressed out about it and kind of arguing with my teachers. So I decided to chill out for a while and work on my lousy posture and cardio fitness at the gym instead, but I would still like to get on pointe before age 30 if possible.
Regards my bunions, I don't think it is the bunions that are hurting but rather the osteoarthritis. I hardly ever wore/ wear high heels, and my grandma has terrible bunions, so I'd say it's a genetic problem. My feet are quite long and narrow with very long toes, low arches, a tendency to pronate and not much flexibility (mostly due to the arthritis I think, but also a lack of dedicated training). Do you think I should go to a dance physio such as Lisa Howell for analysis before I start serious pre-pointe training? I do live in Sydney so Lisa is a possibility. Do you think there is hope for me getting on pointe before I get too old? My podiatrist has warned me against it but he is very anti-pointe, he's told his perfectly healthy daughter she is never allowed to even consider it. Perhaps that is a little extreme...?!
Thanks so much!
Holly, yes that is extreme! Lisa is in North Sydney so if I were you, I would get along to her quick-smart.
http://perfectformphysio.com.au/
She is one of the most knowledgeable about dancers' physiques that I've ever come across. Good luck!
Hi. I'm Sophia and I'm 10. I have been dancing for about 5 years. I just got the "okay" to go on pointe-- yay!--But I didn't know that 10 was too young to start. My ballet school is really successful and has let many girls as young as 8 or 9 go on pointe. All of them have either been good dancers, or quit ballet just because they didn't have time for it. I don't know how to tell my teacher I think it might be unsafe for me. But I also don't want to second-guess her-- she's a professional, after all..but I am still confused as to what I should do now. I haven't known anyone who got their feet messed up by starting to early, although my teacher says that you're likely to get lots of cuts and bruises on your feet when doing pointe.What should I do?????
That's a tough one, Sophia. Your teacher may be a professional dancer, but many ballet teachers never actually get trained as teachers, they just pass on what their teachers taught them. When she was learning to dance, they often let students go en pointe very early, because they didn't know any better.
I suggest you show your mom this article, and ask her to make the decision, and deal with your teacher if she decides not to let you start pointe yet. That way you don't get the blame!
Thank you! :) I just talked to my mom and she suggested that I wait a year, which I'm going to do. Thanks for helping me make good decisions on this topic.
I am 11 3/4 years old.
I am starting at a new ballet studio this year, but the teacher there doesn't let girls go on pointe unless they've been dancing with her for 3 years.
My old teacher (who is leaving town) said that I can go on pointe when I turn 12 (early October).
What should I do?
@ButterflyKisses, I'm horrified! Sorry, but there is no logical reason for this teacher to make everyone wait three years, no matter how good they are when they join.
Something has to be done, because nearly 15 is too old to start pointe if you're hoping to have a ballet career.
Are you still in touch with your old teacher? Could you talk to her and see if she can help?
Hi again just wanted to thank you for your help and quick reply! I'll go to see Lisa as soon as my schedule gets less hectic. Cheers
Unfortunately, after reading this, I have become pretty scared about ever going en pointe...I just worry if I could go on, and then still somehow be not ready...eek! Any words of wisdom?
Oh no, almostprepointe-er, don't give up!
Although it's said that some dancers will never be ready for pointe, it's pretty unusual. If you're doing well at ballet otherwise, it's more than likely you'll be fine.
I guess my main concern is by the time my teacher says that I'm ready for pointe, that the cartilage in my feet won't have turned into bone and that I'll permanently damage my feet...yikes!
Almostprepointe-er - you have two choices. When your teacher says you're ready, ask your mom to take you to a doctor who specializes in this field. He'll be able to do some tests and confirm you're ready.
However that's expensive. An easier way is just to show your mom this article and tell her you don't want to start pointe till you're 12. Then if your teacher tells you you're ready earlier, your mom will say she wants to wait, and you'll be fine.
One last question! (I know, my list goes on and on!) Do all feet "ossilate" (spelling?) by age twelve? Or does it depend?
Actually, feet go on developing until you're about 21 years old! It's not a question of when your bones have completely hardened, it's a question of when your bones have developed ENOUGH. Some people will be ready as young as eight years old, some at nine, some at ten - waiting till twelve is being on the safe side.
The safe side being where almost everyones feet are ready, even if the family was...one for more slow growth(now I'm just asking questions to get the bigger picture, even if they don't apply to me :) Sorry)?
Also, how can I tell if im "curling my toes" when I point?
"The safe side being where almost everyones feet are ready, even if the family was...one for more slow growth" - yes, that's exactly what I mean.
As for curling toes - sit down and point and flex your feet. Look at your toes - are you curling them over? You'll do the same on pointe unless you break the habit.
Any tips for stopping them from curling?
Tips to stop toes from curling - I'll get back to you. I'm sure I have a video somewhere that will help.
Okay..thanks!
The thing is, if i keep my toes relaxed and point the connection between them and the rest of the foot, they stay straight, but it doesn't feel like I'm completely pointing...I'm not even sure what the line between curling and pointing well is
Think of the toes as reaching, not pointing.
Alright, I'll try that. Thank you for all your help!
Alright, you must be sick and tired of my comments, but when I try to reach, my toes just automatically curl. Have you had any luck in finding any other excercizes I can do? Thanks!!
Don't worry, it's quite a common problem!
There are two exercises to do. One is to practice very slow tendus, using the correct technique. This is a very long post by Lisa but it's worth studying:
http://theballetblog.com/q-a-a/performance/470-how
The other is to practice scrunching up a towel with your foot. Sit down on the floor with one foot flat on the floor in front of you. Put a washcloth or piece of material under your foot and try to scrunch it up using your foot, not your toes (you can put your hand on your toes to stop them bunching). It will be hard at first and make your arch ache, but it will help you get the feeling of curving your arch and your toes separately.
Sorry I haven't responded yet! Thanks for your advice. I talked to my old teacher and she is going to hire a new dance teacher at my old studio, and she told her that I'm ready for pointe so I'm good to go (wishing for pointe shoes for my 12th birthday: YAY) With the new ballet studio, I am just going to take lessons on flat with her twice a week and do pointe at the other studio. Does that sound good to you? Thanks for your advice again!
@ButterflyKisses, I'm so relieved! That sounds great to me, glad you got it sorted out.
Sorry, I have so many questions, and first off, I wanted to thank you for all your useful and kind answers.
Anyways, here's my question:
When I point without curling my toes, it just looks like my toes aren't pointing, but like they are laying limp. Is it supposed to look like that?
Difficult to say without seeing your foot, but the important thing isn't what they look like, it's what they feel like. Do you feel as though you're reaching with those toes? If so, that's fine.
Hi- I have a problem. I just moved this year and started doing ballet at a studio 45 minutes away from where I lived, ( 3 times a week) it was working out great except for the small fact that I was getting home scholed. Next year I am going to go back to a normal school which is also 45 minutes away. Schoolwork is my first priority. And I don't know if having that 45 minute drive to school and that 45 minute drive to ballet will be too much. I know this is more of a personal problem but I am running out of ideas. Please tell me if you think i should quit or continue doing it. Thank you so much. And great hub.
Oh boy, what a dilemma. If you're doing ballet 3 times a week, I assume you've been working seriously at it, so it seems a shame to give it up. Honestly, only you can decide how much ballet matters to you. If you're getting feedback that you have talent and could make a career, a 45 minute drive is a small price to pay. If you know in your heart you'll never be professional, then it probably is too much and you must consider your future.
I have no desire to become a professional, I do it because it is fun. But i will seriously consider your advice. Thank you!
I'm not that good at ballet I'm mover of a jazz dancer but one day I would still like to get on en point but is it posable as I have a sallow hip socked and I am 13 and only been dancing for 3 years and only one of them has been ballet
@Name, have you had advice about your hip sockets? Ballet turnout puts a lot of stress on shallow hip sockets and I know a couple of dancers who ended up needing an operation because of it. So unless you're really set on dancing ballet, I'd recommend you stick to other styles of dance that don't need an extreme turnout.
However, if you've had medical advice that you're OK, I don't see why you can't get en pointe in a year or two.
Thank you so jazz and Conteporary are fine and I will see what my dance teacher says about my hip thanks
I am twelve and am just starting ballet again. I danced when I was little starting when I was three to age ten. Strong ankles run in my family and I have been doing releves and have practiced standing in 'demi pointe' for as long as I could. I can stand for a good while. My point is that how long do you think it will take me to go up on pointe?
My first class is Monday, by the way. And in those years, I ran long distance and did Martial Arts so I am not completely out of shape.
Thank you!
@BalletGirl, everyone is so individual, it's impossible to say. Your ballet training doesn't really count - at that young age, the training just isn't serious enough to have a long-term effect. What is has given you is knowledge of the positions, posture etc which will give you a head start.
Releves are a great exercise to do. Watch the exercises on this article to make sure you're doing them correctly.
Thank you very much!
Well, you guys are half right and half wrong. Should she be on pointe not really. Is it the end of her career, um no. Did the TEACHER make an error by placing her on pointe? Yes.
What you all should know is she only did about 20 minutes per week of pointe work before SWITCHING SCHOOLS a few mos after this video to a Vaganova based school. Did she just show up in her pointe shoes like most kids would? No. She left them at home and waited for the teacher to tell her when she was ready to bring them to class. How many ten year olds have that kind of restraint?
She wanted proper technique not POINTE SHOES so maybe that is lesson little girls need to take from this. Even now that she is almost 13 she does not do much pointe at all and there is no rush and no her feet are not destroyed. Also we know retired dancers that started pointe at 9-11, their feet are NOT destroyed. So saying careers will be ruined is a bit dramatic.
She is progressing nicely and just got back from abt new york si. Her technique is ever improving. But we are full aware she was too young for her pointe shoes in this video. So focus on technique little girls you have plenty of time to torture your feet ;) You need a strong core too, something I haven't really seen mentioned here.
Gina, thank you so much for your comment and I'm relieved the young girl in the video didn't suffer any damage from her teacher's bad advice. If she had persevered at that school the story might've been different, but it sounds like a sensible decision was taken. Good to hear she's doing so well.
Actually, I do know retired dancers who started pointe at 9 to 11 and regretted it. It didn't stop them dancing, but they danced through foot pain throughout their career. Their deformed feet are a sight to see.
Hi Marisa- the 2 dancers in particular that we know have gorgeous, unscathed feet. Couldn't believe it! Bottom line is parents need to be really watching out for their kids and make sure they are progressing at a proper pace, this includes going too slow or being at a recreational program when they want to go pro or moving too fast through the ranks. Everyone is in such a rush to get to a certain level I think they lose the value of slow and consistent training with proper technique. That is what will help prevent injury in the long run and make for a better trained dancer. ;)
"Everyone is in such a rush to get to a certain level" - you're so right, that's the big problem. Plus teachers who don't have proper teacher training, and parents who don't have enough knowledge to realize that. You sound like you've got exactly the right attitude.
i'm 12 and i go to one class a week and i am hoping to start two or three classes but on the one day i was wondering if that is ok? i cannot believe that girl in the video started pointe work so young. my ballet teacher is a professional and started pointe at thirteen so she definetly knows what she is doing. i know of many people starting to go on pointe and i think to myself one day that could be me but as for now i understand i may not be ready. x
It's quite common for students to do two hours of class in one day. Three hours without a good break would be too much, I think - your muscles will be fatigued so you won't get as much value out of the third class.
You could certainly build up to doing three hours in time, but I would start out with two. When you get to the point where you still feel fresh at the end of two hours, you can consider doing the extra class.
I am ccurrently doing one one hour cals a week and i get an hour break then i go to jazz. but there are intermediate classes i would like to do aswell. ive still to speak to my mum and teacher about and extra class or two. x
I just turned 12 and my teacher said i am ready for pointe...but i have only been doing dance for 3 years..i dont know if i am even wanting to dance on pointe
@Dancegirl, who told you 3 years wasn't long enough? The training you do before the age of about 10 isn't really important for pointe, so girls who started at 5 or 6 don't have any advantage over you. But if you don't want to do it, don't feel pressured.
Thank you..and one more questio... I think i am going to get my pointe shoes...i got fitted and i am a size 3 B what brand wuld you recommend getting
@Dancegirl, there's a lot more to pointe shoes than just your shoe size.
Here's an article that explains a bit more:
I think she means like would you reccomend bloch or capenzo pointe shoea...which type is the best
@Dancedance, there is no "best". It's what works best for your particular shape and size of foot.
im nearly thirteen and i want to go en pointe as soon as possible a few of my friends are starting to go en pointe or have been told that they may be able to start pointe work after christmas i take 1 class of ballet a week for an hour but i want to take another class the day after to help me get en pointe quicker. do you have any suggestions?? x x x
Jenna, trust your teacher. Thirteen is old enough to get on pointe, but one class a week isn't enough to develop the strength and technique you need. You definitely need at least one more class, plus get yourself a theraband and practice strengthening exercises at home.
I'm ten years old and I have been asking and begging for my dance teacher to let me wear pointe shoes. But i havent done ballet in five years this is my first year doing ballet again I'm really eager to get them on.
Well Angelina, now you've read this article, I hope you'll stop begging your teacher to get en pointe.
If you haven't done ballet for five years then you're a long, long way from being ready to do pointe work. If you go on pointe now, you'll ruin your feet and your chance of being a ballerina!
It's going to take a year of solid training, and probably two, before you're ready to pull on your pointe shoes.
I'm in my 20s and have never been en pointe though I have over 8 years of ballet training, I'm pretty sure my dancing school required you to be at least 13 and you had to have permission/be offered the chance from the teachers. I didn't overcome my natural sickle until I was older and I still struggle with it. However, 10 is WAAAAAYYYYY tooo young! What was her mother thinking?!
My daugher, who just turned 10, was given the "okay" by her teacher to get her first pair of pointe shoes. She has been dancing many years, at least 2-3 times/week for the last two years. After reading your article, I told her she would have to wait. Now, I'm being told that she would only be "on pointe" for 15 min/week and that it would be alright. I'm still skeptical. Any advice?
@concerned, this is a tough one. My immediate reaction is to say no, but if she's been doing ballet (not other dance styles) at least 3 times a week for the last two years, she may be strong enough and have the technique to start.
I would still be erring on the safe side and asking her to wait a year, but I understand it's tough to go against the teacher and an eager daughter! You might like to read my article on how to test if you're ready for pointe. It may give you some idea whether you think she's ready:
hi i just turned 12 and i think im going to be getting my pointe shoes soon. ive been doing dance since i was 5 so im really excited. thanks for this article!!
hi im 12 (13 in feb)and my teacher said that most of us in our ballet class (except the people who have just moved up) will be ready to start pointework around easter time - unless they already have started . I am very excited to be (maybe) starting pointe work. Is there any thing that will stop me from starting around Easter?? I am about to start 2 extra Intermediate Foundation classes aswell as the Grade 5 Ballet and a Jazz class i already go to. However all of my friends who have started pointe work all say its painful until you break your shoes in. How long does it take and how painful will it be???
Hi. I'm an adult beginner I started at 18. after two years, my teacher the ok to go on pointe. do you think this is acceptable?
@Katelyn, that sounds about right. Good luck!
@POINTe sHOES, I am SO sorry because your comment got caught in my spam folder. If your teacher says you're ready for pointe I'm sure you will be fine.
Yes, pointe work can hurt! How much it hurts depends on how well your shoes suit your feet (the better they suit, the less it will hurt). Some of the newer shoes have extra features like heat-sensitive paste that lets your shoe mold to your foot without breaking down, which makes them less painful.
I've got my pointe shoes at the start of this year and I'm only 11. At this moment, I can do pirouettes en pointe and I'm confident with dancing en pointe!! I do 12 hour of dancing a week, 7 hours of ballet, 2 hours of jazz, 1 hour of character and 2 hours of contemporary dance.
Hello! Thank you for such an informative article! :) I am 31 years old and have danced on and off since I was 8 years old. I have always dreamed of going on pointe my entire life and somehow, something always happened in my life that just kept me too busy to continue on to pointe. I would really love to get back to ballet and finally reach my dream. I am not talking professional dancing or anything-this is just for exercise and personal enjoyment. I did shatter my left ankle when I was 16 and stretched the ligament. I have 4 pins in my ankle. What do I need to do to reach my goal? Is it even atainable? Thank you for your help!! :)
@Amanda, I know several women who've been able to go on pointe at your age, so it's perfectly possible. The ankle may be an issue but if you can balance on it on demi-pointe, you can balance on it en pointe.
It may seem like a big investment but I honestly recommend you buy the Perfect Pointe Book (there's a link just above the last video). It includes a wealth of information including several at-home exercises which will enable you to fast-track your progress, so for a late starter it's simply indispensable.
I'm 11 and my teacher says my class might be able to start pointe next year. My only dream is to go en pointe and I have been working really hard on pointe stretches to make my legs, ankles, and feet stronger. The only problem is I have a bad turn out. Will this limit me to ever going en pointe? Can I fix my bad turn out?
@Balletgirl, it depends what kind of "bad turnout" you mean.
If your legs can turn out when you're lying down but you can't hold them turned out standing up, then yes, that means you're not ready for pointe. You need to build strength in your turnout muscles.
If your hips are very tight so you simply can't turn out much, but you can hold the turnout you've got, that's not so much of a problem for pointe - but it is a problem for ballet generally. There are so many possible reasons for tight hips, I can't say whether you can fix it: some people simply don't have much rotation, others just have muscle tightness and need to improve their range of movement. Have you asked your teacher?
What I mean by my bad turn out is, for example, when I'm in first postition I can't make my feet turn out very far without them rolling in. If that makes sense (I didn't explain it very well). I will ask my dance teacher about it next time I see her, which won't be until Tuesday, so if you have any other advice, I would love to here it. :)
First thing to think about - when you turn out, NEVER think of turning out your feet, always think of turning out your thighs (your feet just come along for the ride). If you try to turn out your feet, you'll use the wrong technique and damage your knees.
You MUST be able to hold your legs turned out from the thighs before you can go on pointe. That doesn't mean they have to be turned out very far, but you have to be able to hold them as far as you can get, and not let them sneak in again when you start dancing.
Thanks so much for your help and time!
Hiya, I'm 13 , started ballet at 3, and I've been doing pointe for a year, thing is, I'm fine on pointe, but when i echappe to second my turnout totally goes, my teacher told me to practice and I have, but it's still rubbish... Could my high arches be part of the problem or is it just a matter of practice makes perfect? Oh and my pointe shoes that I use in class and to practice at home are very soft I'm getting fitted for new ones soon?
I don't think your high arch would affect anything.
When you echappe, you have to activate the right leg muscles to get you in the air. I'm guessing that when you activate those muscles, you're losing "grip" on your turnout muscles. It is a case of practice, to learn how to use one without losing the other!
I am 12 and I started on pointe earlier this fall(about a week before I turned 12) my teacher is a professional. I really enjoyed reading this article. I'm having sooo much fun on pointe although my feet sometimes really hurt!! But thanks for this... I'll teLl my friends about it!!
I have noticed that my ballet teacher doesn't pay much attention to me i used to muck about in class and not do any of the work but i was going through a hard time at home. but i recently have been trying very hard to prove i am making an effort but she doesn't pay attention to me. my friend still thinks i want to muck about but i really don't and she distracts me. i am afraid she won't let ne take extra classes. what can i do to prove i am willing to do well in the class???? x
@confuddled, it's always hard to get a teacher's attention once she's decided you're not serious. And it definitely doesn't help if your friend is still mucking about.
Talk to your friend, and ask her to stop distracting you. Tell her how it makes you feel and why it's important to you.
Keep working hard in class. You might think about questions you could ask your teacher after class, like asking for advice on home exercises to strengthen your ankles or improve your balance. The fact that you're asking for extra work will show you're serious. Good luck!
My mum doesn't take my passion for ballet seriously and whenever i talk to her about points she doesn't listen or makes put she doesn't have time to talk right now. I want to take shorts class or two but she say I'm doing fine with whatI'm doing the now (one ballet class a week which i know isn't enough to get on pointe
@confuddled, I'm so sorry to hear that. Bear in mind, ballet classes are very expensive. You could try asking her to buy you the Perfect Pointe Book (you'll find a link in the article above). It will give you four DVD's full of pre-pointe exercises you can safely do at home.
It's not cheap, but it's a lot cheaper than paying for extra classes. You could tell her that if she buys you the book, you'll stop hassling her about extra classes.
Hi again, I'm on pointe (I'm almost 12 and a half) and I've been having some trouble with blisters and bruises on my feet. I'm very strong within my legs and feet, and I was definitely ready to go on pointe, I was just wondering how to treat these. All girls except one are on pointe in my class too and when I asked them if they got any bruises or blisters they said a bit but I just can't get through one pointe class without my feet starting to bleed or get more bruises or blisters. Any advice? thanks.
Annabelle, I can't do better than this advice from Lisa Howells on this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O6WU8z2-kk
The problem might be badly fitting shoes, or the wrong brand - if you have a choice, try getting them from a different shop next time!
Thanks so much, it really helped! and yeah i was thinking about trying a different brand for my second pair, I have Capezio now but I'm thinking of trying Bloch, I have really wide feet
@Annabelle, do you know what foot shape you are?
http://marisawright.hubpages.com/hub/What-is-your-
Also measure the height of your foot at the big toe joint while you're standing with your foot flat on the floor. It will only be an inch or so, maybe less or more, but it's important.
sorry about my spelling in that comment. :s
on monday i started a contempory class which i really ejoyed i am going to start taking it weekly. i realised earlier that i take 5 dance classes a week
1 on a monday morning at school another on a monday night 1 on a wednesday night and 2 on a thursday night but only one is a ballet class and 2 i go to are free.
i do hope my mum will let me take another ballet class or two. i will speak to my teacher on thursday and ask about the extra class - what times etc.
i am not totally desperate to go en pointe but my teacher advised some of us to get demi-pointe shoes to stregnthen our feet and ankles. do these need to be fitted professionally or can they be ordered online?
sorry if that was quite a long comment :)
I'm wondering why you would take a contemporary class. If it's free, that's fine - it's extra movement and widening your repertoire. If it's paid, then it's money that would be better spent on a ballet class!
Personally I don't believe demi-pointe shoes do a thing to strengthen your feet and ankles - you can do that just as well in soft ballet slippers. But they don't need to be specially fitted because you don't stand on your toes in them.
yay my mum has let me start another ballet class but only if i stopped the contempory (blackmail right????)
my ballet teacher said that she would love to have me in the new class
is there any exercise i could do to stregnthen my ankles calf muscles and feet
when i was doing splits the other night i had pain down the outside of my right knee and i have no idea what ive done
sorry for bothering you so much!!!!
@confuddled, it's not blackmail - mums do not have unlimited money! Great to hear you're joining the new class.
Exercises to strengthen your ankles - releves. Lots and lots and lots, every time you remember. Do them slowly, really working through the foot, and make sure you rise as high as you can go. On both feet and on one leg.
Pain on the outside of your knee - on the back leg or the front leg in the split?
It is the front leg
OK. There are a few possibilities. Make sure you're not forcing your turnout in class, because that can put strain on your knees - you may not feel it in class, but you'll feel it later. You must turn out all the way from your hips, not from your knees or feet.
You may just have tightness down the outside of the thigh. This stretch might help:
This is so interesting. In the US, martial arts are the craze. My son began karate when he was 10. His sensei teaches the real thing, he trained with a Master in Okinawa, and promotions take years in this style. Now parents are joining up their kids as young as 4. I'm shocked the teacher is taking them, many are not developmentally ready to follow instructions. It's only because my son is a certified elementary school teacher he has patience with them. But the parents get angry when the children don't advance quickly, even when it's not safe or in their best interests. In these cases, the child just stays stagnant until they are ready, and if they are not patient, they leave. I think the Sensei should raise the age level, but I guess people will do what they want to do regardless. At 4, you aren't even ready for basic self defense. It's sad when the parents are pushing for their kids to do something they really aren't mature enough to learn.
How interesting to hear of the same phenomenon happening in other fields. I guess it is the modern obsession with achievement!
Either the obsession with achievement, or in the case of martial arts, parents who are lazy and don't want to discipline their kids. You wouldn't believe the stories and some the things these kids do. But I suppose some parents do live vicariously throught the achievements. When I read about the little girls imagining their tutu and ballet shoes, it was the same as the karate white belts looking forward to their color belts!
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Lissie Level 1 Commenter 2 years ago
I never got en pointe - doubt my feet are the right shapes (bunions are bad right)- but I must admit when I finally got to adult ballet class I went out and bought myself some pink flat ballet slippers - with ribbons - I'd always wanted the ribbons LOL! Its nice to see a ballet dancer actually dancing in pointe shoes on the US version of 'So you think you can dance' - it seems like its suddenly acceptable to real dance in prime time!