What You'll Learn
- How to maintain the heel over the second toe for a stable and safe demi-pointe.
- Techniques for creating a winged foot shape in tendu by leading with the pinky toe.
- Correct placement and mechanics for coup-de-pied to improve attitude front.
- Specific drills to improve arch engagement and ankle alignment during pas de cheval.
- How to develop sensory awareness under the foot to ensure proper alignment.
About This Video
In this specialized pre-pointe session from Broche Ballet, we dive deep into the intricate mechanics of foot placement and articulation. Preparing for pointe work requires more than just strength; it demands a sophisticated understanding of how the foot shapes itself through every movement. This class focuses on the "winged" foot shape—an essential aesthetic and functional element in classical ballet that creates beautiful lines and ensures proper weight distribution.
The lesson begins with a focused review of the demi-pointe position. You will learn the critical importance of keeping the heel directly over the second toe. This alignment is vital for stability and prevents "sickling" or "rolling," which can lead to injury.
Our instructor guides you through exercises to contract and maintain this shape, ensuring your transitions are deliberate and controlled. We then apply these principles to the tendu and pas de cheval. You will practice sliding the toes back while keeping the heel forward, a movement that builds the necessary arch strength for dancing en pointe.
A major focus is the path of the pinky toe; by keeping the pinky toe back as the foot moves away from the body, you create the sought-after winged line that elongates the leg. The class also covers the coup-de-pied, demonstrating the correct placement where the heel remains forward and the pinky toe draws toward the ankle. This training is foundational for more advanced movements like attitude front.
Throughout the practice, Broche Ballet emphasizes the sensory feedback of the foot, helping you feel the engagement of the arch and the correct tracking of the ankle bone. By the end of this practice, you will have a heightened awareness of your footwork, providing you with the tools to execute your movements with professional precision and grace. Refine your technique and prepare your feet for the demands of pointe work with this focused tutorial.
