Ballet

Question: Pointe ballet questions!?

(Posted by: Laylay on 2008-11-28 22:55:34)

Heyy!! My dance teacher says I can go on pointe next year. Shes going to test me at the end of the year to make sure I'm ready for it. I've been taking flat ballet for 3 years. Questions!: #1 How long did you take flat ballet before you went on pointe? #2 Is it your ankle that needs to be strong for you take pointe? #3 Do you know any ankle strengthening exercises? #4 What is she going to do to "test " me? Yayy! Answer my questions!

Posted by: iloveafi13 on 2008-11-28, 23:40:46

Haha i know this answer is weird coming from a guy but i will answer your questions! 1: it took me two years of demi-pointe to get approval from my teacher to go en pointe. 2: your ankles , calves, thighs, abs...... well basically ALL of your legs and your abdominals have to be strong to properly distribute your weight to be correctly en pointe. 3: honestly the best ankle/ calve exersise that i do is just a crapload of releves. releves are good to practice en poine with because they strengthen the muscles needed for pointe-work 4: Chances are she'll ask you to do some bar work and an across the floor combination. but be extra aware of your turn-out and body alignment because thats what she'll be watching for to determine if your ready for pointe or not. hope this helps!!!!!!! ^0^ p.s. it's spelled "EN POINTE " not "on pointe " the word is french so it has an e

Posted by: Candace S on 2008-11-28, 23:36:12

1. i only took flat ballet for two years before i went on pointe actually 2. yes your ankle really needs to be strong if you want to go on pointe. but other things have to be strong as well such as your calves and thights 3. just do a lot of releves with ankle weights 4. she is going to see if you roll in your positions, if you can balance in passe for a long time, and to see how strong your ankles are right now

Posted by: passion8 on 2008-11-28, 23:38:41

Good for you! I stayed on flat for about 9 years though i started when i was very little and my teacher was very strict in not letting anyone go onto pointe until they were about 12. But I know lots of people who have been in the same situation as you and have only been on flats for about 2 years before starting pointe work. To strengthen I suggest doing lots of rises before you start, aim to be able to do at least 25 in the center (on each foot) without it hurting. (though i would assume you can already do this since you are starting pointe.)

Posted by: xxboysdiggness on 2008-11-28, 23:43:36

1 How long did you take flat ballet before you went on pointe? from age 2 1/ 2 to my current age(but i started pointe when i was in 3rd yes a little early i know) #2 Is it your ankle that needs to be strong for you take pointe? YES! without a strong ankle..you will break them and it will hurt. haha. #3 Do you know any ankle strengthening exercises? Yes, go to your stairs, on the edge make sure the ball of your feet are on the edge and the rest is hanging off..do a ton of releves' and do some in posse too! #4 What is she going to do to "test " me? maybe make you turn some? simple combos

Posted by: Hailey k on 2008-11-29, 06:29:45

I did flat ballet for about 9 years your ankles have to be extremely strong but also your calves and thighs and abdonominals but one thing is your feet there are 26 bones in your feet You have seven tarsal bones: talus, calcaneus, cuniforms I, II, & III, cuboid, and navicular. Then there are five metatarsals I-IV, The great toe has two phalanges, and the other four toes have three each. So that's 7+ 5+ 2+ 12= 26 total bones in the foot. There is also a tiny sesamoid bone in the great toe, but this is usually not counted. your toes also have to be taken cared of blisters are major problems on pointe tape your toes to help prevent blisters BUT NOT CALUSUS dancers can spend their whole career trying to build strong calusus because they keep your toes strong and give you support an ankle strengthening exercise is the stretchy bands they help your ankles gain muscle another is get a tennis ball and roll your foot over it for 15 min. then change feet this helps gain an arch in your feet she will probably test you on jumps and foot rises good luck and remember never give up no matter how much it hurts! ballet = love

Posted by: seeme0nth3runway on 2008-11-29, 08:32:05

1. i went on point when i was 10 and i had been dancing since i was 3 2. yes, if u hav weak ankles point will hurt and be bad 3. releves 4. i hav no idea have fun!

Posted by: dance rules!:) on 2008-11-29, 11:19:16

1) 9 years. srry but i think u might need 1 more year before yur ready? 2) definitely! but thats not all that needs to be strong...don't forget it! 3) put one foot in coupe and just do alot of relevees and eleeves. 4) see #3 and also she will want to make sure you don't sickle(VERY IMPORTANT!!)and that you balance mainly on yur 1st and 2nd toes! Lots of Luck to you!

Posted by: Buggy on 2008-11-29, 14:26:29

1. 6 years. #2. Yes, also your arch #3. No #4. Most likely look at your foot strength, and your ability to dance.