What You'll Learn
- How to use toe movement to bend and shape the shoe shank
- Techniques for controlling the pointe shoe box with your toes
- The importance of toe mobility for a controlled demi-pointe
- How to ensure you are controlling the shoe rather than the shoe controlling you
About This Video
In this insightful Quick Tidbit from Broche Ballet, we delve into a transformative metaphor that will change the way you approach your footwork: your toes are the puppeteers of your pointe shoes. Many dancers mistakenly view their pointe shoes as rigid containers that they simply balance upon. However, to achieve a professional aesthetic and fluid movement, the shoe must become a dynamic extension of the foot.
This requires active, strong, and exceptionally mobile toes that can manipulate the shoe's materials from the inside out. The core of this lesson focuses on how to activate and bend the shank of the shoe. By pointing your toes deeply and intentionally making contact with the bottom of the shoe, you learn to shape the shank to perfectly mirror the curve of your arch.
This is not just about looks; it is about structural support and functional control. Conversely, by pointing your toes and allowing your toenails to brush the top of the box, you can control the shoe’s movement in the opposing direction. This dual-direction control is what allows for the subtle nuances found in elite-level pointe work.
Mastering this puppeteer approach is also vital for achieving a stable and controlled demi-pointe position while wearing pointe shoes. If your toes remain static or dead inside the box, you lose the ability to transition smoothly through the foot during a relevé or piqué. Your toes should maintain the ability to wiggle and move, providing the necessary sensory feedback to the brain.
At Broche Ballet, we believe the dancer must always be the master of the shoe. By focusing on the intrinsic muscles of the feet, you unlock a new level of stability. This 2-minute video provides a concentrated look at the mechanics of toe control, helping you ensure that every movement en pointe is executed with maximum precision and artistry.
