What You'll Learn
- How to use your pinky toe to manipulate the shape of stubborn pointe shoes
- Techniques to prevent sickling when moving the leg to à la seconde
- How to maintain a winged shape in arabesque by leading with the heel
- The difference between simply pointing your foot and actively shaping your shoe
About This Video
Pointe shoes are a beautiful yet challenging aspect of classical ballet training. Unlike soft canvas shoes, a pointe shoe is a stiff, stubborn structure that does not always want to follow the natural line of your foot. To achieve that professional winged look and avoid the dreaded sickling, you must learn to actively shape the shoe rather than just pointing your foot inside it.
In this Quicktip from Broche Ballet, we dive into the subtle mechanics of the pinky toe and how it serves as the steering wheel for your foot alignment. One of the most common issues dancers face en pointe is the foot rolling forward or sickling, especially during transitions between positions. To combat this, focus on the sensation of your pinky toe.
As you move into à la seconde, think about the pinky toe pulling the foot back. This engagement creates an envelope for the foot, ensuring the shoe maintains a clean, winged line rather than collapsing inward. It requires a conscious effort to fight the shoe’s resistance, but the result is a much stronger and more aesthetic line.
The same principle applies to your arabesque. When the leg is extended behind you, it is vital to keep the pinky toe up and touching the back of the shoe while the heel leads the way. This prevents the foot from turning in and losing its turnout.
When returning from arabesque, continue to keep that pinky back to ensure the heel stays forward. By mastering these small adjustments, you transform your pointe work from a struggle against the shoe into a harmonious display of strength and grace. Achieving a beautiful line en pointe is about more than just strength; it is about intentionality.
Many dancers find that even with strong arches, their pointe shoes appear boxy because the shoe isn't being manipulated correctly. By focusing on the pinky toe as a point of control, you gain the ability to wrap the shoe around your foot’s movement. At Broche Ballet, we believe that understanding these micro-movements is the key to unlocking your full potential as a dancer.
