Ballet Pointe

Fitting Ballet Pointe Shoes - Some Extra Tips

It is exciting when your dance teacher tells you that it's time to start dancing ballet in pointe shoes. New, shiny, pink satin pointe shoes are beautiful. Every student has to have an idea of what they should look for in getting exactly the right fit. Hopefully the ballet store will have an area of floor for fitting ballet pointe shoes, and a ballet barre (bar) or chair back to use for support.

Here are a few points for every dance student to review. Do you have
*** narrow feet/wide feet
*** narrow heels/wide across metatarsal are
*** long toes/short toes
*** even length toes/varying lengths of toes (especially longer second toe)
*** flat arch and less deep toes/high domed arch and deeper toes/ankle bone higher above floor

All these elements determine the kind of pointe shoe you will work best in.

Pointe shoes must be snug enough to support the foot, yet not too tight. Cramped toe joints will not be able to work properly. Pain at the end of the toes from compression does not serve the dance student who needs to concentrate on accurate technique in order to build strength and avoid ballet injuries.

The boxes, or supportive area of pointe shoes around the toes, come in different widths and shapes. Therefore the platform, or part you actually stand up on, may be narrower or wider.

The vamp, or cloth extending from the box up over the metatarsal joints, also is made in different lengths to accommodate different foot shapes.

You will try on each shoe standing flat, in demi plie in second position (you need a little room for your feet to spread), and on pointe, using a barre or chair back for support (or a person). Of course, you do not want to break a pair of shoes when fitting.

Once you select a pair of shoes, take them to your teacher to review the fit. Keep them absolutely clean by standing on clean white paper or a towel, in case you end up returning them. Do not sew on ribbons and/or elastic before having your teacher see the fit.

You can get many more details about ballet pointe shoes and exercises to prepare for toe shoes, before you start pointe work.

Fitting ballet pointe shoes takes time, so don't be rushed at the ballet store.

About the Author

Ballet toe shoes, or ballet pointe shoes, can be made easier. Pointe shoe sizing, ballet turnout, classical technique and basic ballet positions are all factors to get the best ballet tips on. Dianne Buxton aims to help you dance ballet better in pointe shoes.

Should I start pre-pointe ballet even though I haven't done any ballet for a few years?

I used to do ballet when I was a lot younger, and now I'm 13 and I want to start ballet again. Do you think I should enroll in a pre-pointe class for the fall? Ofcourse, if I did that I would also enroll in a normal ballet class to get the hang of it again.
My friend who is older and has been dancing for a long time says I have strong ankles which are good in pointe, but I know that it takes a lot more than that to do pointe dance.
Do you have any suggestions of how I could practice at home for pointe, without any pointe shoes?

I would recommend you take regular ballet for one semester first. It's important to have good technique before you start pointe. Pointe isn't as glamorous as it seems and if you have bad technique then it won't look good anyway.

Pre-pointe is ok along with your class. They usually focus more on the ankles for strengthening.

You should take ballet class at least 3 days a week to be ready for pointe by the end of the year.

At home you can do your releves in all your positions. Also check out http://www.youtube.com/lisahowell2

Good Luck

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