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ARE YOU READY FOR POINTE?
Typical age to begin Pointe Work – usually around 12 years old,
sometimes later depending on physical readiness and sufficient
preparation standard reached.
Sufficient number of years formal Ballet training. (guideline is 4 years at least)
Usually attending at least 2 classes in Classical Ballet each week.
Have sufficient maturity and commitment.
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Sufficient ankle joint mobility, stability and strength.
In good health and have sufficient stamina and core strength.
Ideally be of ‘normal’ weight range in proportion to height.
Must have your Dance Teacher’s approval !
TAKE THE READY FOR POINTE CHALLENGE ?
In class practice, can you ......?
HOLD YOUR TURN-OUT WHILST DANCING?
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HAVE A STRONG, STRAIGHT BACK AND MAINTAIN A LEVEL NEUTRAL PELVIS?
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KEEP THE HEELS FORWARD IN LINE WITH THE 1ST AND 2ND TOES IN SECOND POSITION ON DEMI-POINTE? (NO SICKLING)
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MAXIMISE THE USE OF PLIE WHILE DANCING TO ENABLE RELEVE ONTO POINTE EASILY?
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MAINTAIN KNEES IN LINE WITH TOES IN PLIE WITH THE HEELS DOWN AND ALSO DURING MULTIPLE SAUTES?
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MAINTAIN STRONG POINTED FEET WHILST DANCING?
BE ABLE TO DO 20 SINGLE LEG RISES ONTO DEMI-POINTE WITH THE SUPPORTING LEG KNEE PULLED UP AND STRAIGHT?
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HOLD A RELEVE PASSE BALANCE (PIROUETTE POSITION) ON DEMI-POINTE WITHOUT LOSING TURN-OUT OR UPPER BODY CONTROL?
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HAVE SUFFICIENT FLEXIBILITY TO FORWARDS BEND WHEN STANDING AND TOUCH THE FLOOR?
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ACTIVATE AND HOLD YOUR ABDOMINALS OR TUMMY MUSCLES IN WHILST BREATHING NORMALLY?
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HAVE SUFFICIENT POINTE RANGE IN THE ANKLE AND FOOT TO BE ABLE TO GO ON POINTE AND AVOID THE TOES FROM CURLING?
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PERFORM A GRAND PLIE IN THE CENTRE?
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DO 12 – 16 RELEVES IN THE CENTRE WITH CORRECT FOOT, LEG FUNCTIONAL CONTROL AND UPPER BODY CORE CONTROL?
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SINGLE PIROUETTE EN-DEHORS FROM 4TH POSITION WITH FULL RETIRE AND FULL RELEVE AND A STRAIGHT KNEE OF THE SUPPORTING LEG?
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