What You'll Learn
- How to use toe placement against the shoe pleats to stabilize the foot
- The role of the pinky toe in creating a winged shape in arabesque
- Strategies to counteract and prevent sickling in both soft and pointe shoes
- How to maintain a consistent line from the hip through the tips of the toes
About This Video
Achieving a professional line in an arabesque requires more than just leg height; it demands precise control over the shape of the foot. One of the most common technical flaws dancers face is sickling, where the foot breaks the line by curving inward. In this quick tip from Broche Ballet, we explore how to actively use the muscles of the foot to shape your pointe shoes and maintain a beautiful, winged silhouette.
To counteract the tendency to sickle in an arabesque, you must learn to engage your toes against the internal structure of the shoe. By pushing down with your first four toes to touch the pleats and simultaneously using your pinky toe to lift the side of the box, you create a strong, secure position. While this technique is essential for pointe work to overcome the resistance of the shoe's hard shank and box, the same principles of engagement apply to soft shoes.
Practicing these movements helps build the necessary strength to maintain a clean aesthetic across all ballet movements. Whether you are a student preparing for your first pair of pointe shoes or an advanced dancer looking to polish your technique, understanding the mechanics of foot shaping is vital for a clean, professional appearance en pointe.
