Beginner Pointe Cohort Week 7: Drills for Fast Feet and Fast Ankles

Welcome to Week 7 of the Broche Ballet Beginner Pointe Cohort. This session marks a pivotal transition in your training as we shift our focus toward developing speed and precision through the feet and ankles. While the early weeks of pointe work emphasize stability and slow placement, this class introduces the essential drills needed for "fast feet"—the ability to articulate through the shoe with efficiency and power.

We begin our practice at the barre with foundational exercises designed to warm up the intrinsic muscles of the feet. You will focus on the nuances of foot placement inside your shoes, ensuring your alignment is correct from the moment you step into your plié. Proper alignment isn't just about the toes; it's about the entire kinetic chain.

We emphasize maintaining a strong core and keeping the hips forward and centered over the shoes to ensure maximum balance during more complex movements. Throughout the lesson, we dive into specific techniques such as passé, sous-sus, and tendu. A key focus of this class is the "little groove"—the precise point of balance when executing a relevé.

You will learn to tilt the heel forward to find this sweet spot, holding the balance for eight counts before articulating through the demi-pointe to roll back down. This repetitive strengthening is what builds the "fast ankles" required for more advanced center work. As we move through the 28-minute class, your instructor provides detailed feedback on softening the toes and Achilles to allow for a deeper stretch over the arches.

By the end of the session, we combine these isolated movements into a cohesive routine, testing your ability to maintain turnout and control while moving at a slightly quicker pace. Join us at Broche Ballet as we refine your technique and build the strength necessary for a lifetime of beautiful pointe work.