Ballet Pointe Shoes - Unsure

by Franchezka
(UK)

Ballet Pointe Shoes - Unsure

Hi, I am 10, and I am all exited because me and my mum are going to see if I am ready for pointes! I started ballet aged 5, and went on to quit aged 8 due to house move. I trained 1 lesson a week at Cheshire Theatre School, and was more advanced than the other girls my age. Aged 7 I started to want ballet pointes. Well, since I was 8, I taught myself, an hour per day, and I came on leaps and bounds, leaps literally! I wanted to know if you think I may be able to get pointes, and if not, Demi pointes. Mum said If I can follow strict rules.

Going up at barre supervised, to unsupervised.
Simple barre work
Advanced barre

Going up not at barre supervised, to unsupervised.
Simple center work
Advanced center.

Is that ok? Thats only if I am allowed full pointes. I will need a ouch pouch, as my small toe gets lots of blisters in soft shoes. Thank you for taking your time answering. Franchezka

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Reply by Odette
To:- Ballet Pointe Shoes - Unsure


Remember, just like I did before I went en pointe, ballet students MUST take responsibility for their own strengthening prior to beginning pointe work.
Australian dancer, Lisa Howell has made a video which explains how pre-point strengthening works.
Don't leave it to your teacher!
You can watch this pre-pointe video
yourself here (just wait for the page to load up then the video is on the top right of the page).


Hi Franchezka,
Thanks for contacting me, it's great to hear from you and your excitement!

I am glad you told me about your story and different stages in ballet. Although I am still unsure to if you are currently at a dance school? Or practicing on your own?

Starting pointe is a stage where I was really guided by my ballet teacher. She told me when I was ready and I started around the age of 10 too.

If you want the absolute guidance on starting pointe, then look at Lisa Howell's pointe video above. She is the expert on pointe shoes and knows exactly the advice to give, so it is worth looking into her ebook.

Your plan sounds organised and it is super you have your mum's support. Although you must remember the importance of a ballet teacher and how they are able to guide you through the start of pointe work too.

It is crucial to be taught pointe correctly and by your ballet teacher, because it is at the very beginning where you pick up the exact techniques and learn how to rise up onto pointe the right way.

Please keep me in touch and I would love to hear your thoughts, or whether you still feel unsure.

Best wishes,
Odette