What You'll Learn
- The specific ankle shape required for piqué front and back versus piqué side.
- How to engage calf muscles to stabilize the foot and correctly pull the pinky toe back.
- The technical transition from tendu through chassé to achieve a solid piqué.
- Improving stability and muscle memory in sur le cou-de-pied and sous-sus positions.
About This Video
Developing a strong foundation en pointe is a journey of precision and muscle memory. In this Broche Ballet Just Barre session, we dive deep into the mechanics of piqué front and back, focusing specifically on the ankle shape required to move with grace and stability. Many dancers struggle with the transition from a tendu into a weight-bearing piqué, often finding their ankles feel unstable or wobbly.
The key to a secure transition lies in the preparation and the specific engagement of the foot muscles. Throughout this 21-minute class, you will learn how to activate the muscles in the back of the calf to shape the foot correctly. By pulling the pinky toe back and maintaining a strong, intentional line, you create a pathway that allows your ankle to straighten out naturally once weight is transferred to the big toe.
This technique is vital for avoiding sickling and ensuring you land securely en pointe. We explore these concepts through a series of foundational exercises, including pas de cheval and movements through sur le cou-de-pied. You will practice the tendu, lean, push, close sequence, which breaks down the momentum needed for a successful piqué.
The class also highlights the subtle technical differences between piqué front and piqué side, ensuring you understand when to apply this specific ankle shape and when a more standard alignment is required. Proper alignment is not just about aesthetics; it is about safety and efficiency in movement. When you master the ankle shape for piqué, you reduce the strain on your joints and allow the shoes to support you as intended.
This class is an excellent resource for adult dancers looking to solidify their pointe technique and transition away from the barre with greater assurance. Embrace the details of your footwork and watch your overall performance improve as you gain the confidence to tackle more complex combinations like pas de bourrée, chassé, and soutenu with ease.
