Ballet Pointe Stretches: Strength Exercises to Get Over the Box

Mastering the transition to pointe work requires more than just foot strength; it requires specific flexibility and the ability to get over the box. In this practice session, Broche Ballet instructor Julie guides you through a series of targeted exercises designed to improve your ankle mobility and alignment. The lesson begins with a focus on tendu and stretching.

To keep your heels high and your lines clean, you must learn to stretch the ankle forward while maintaining a perfectly straight leg. This foundational movement ensures that your foot is prepared for the demands of dancing en pointe. Julie emphasizes the importance of body awareness, ensuring that you are not compromising your knee alignment in pursuit of a higher arch.

A key component of this tutorial is the wing stretch. By performing a tendu to the back and rotating the heel towards the ground while keeping the foot pointed in the shoe, you can target the deep muscles of the ankle. This exercise is essential for dancers who feel they are stuck behind their shoes and want to find that effortless vertical line over the platform.

Throughout the video, you will also explore relevé and plié variations. Julie explains how to use rotation, both en dehors and en dedans, to press the heel down and lift back up through the toes. Focusing on weight placement, specifically through the big toe, is crucial for stability and prevents sickling.

By integrating these stretches and strength drills into your regular practice, you will develop the necessary range of motion to get over the box consistently. Whether you are a student looking to improve your foot line or an advanced dancer refining your technique, these insights from Broche Ballet will help you achieve more secure and beautiful pointe work.