Pointe Shoes

Getting Your Pointe Shoes

It's very important to buy your pointe shoes at a ballet shop where the staff know how to fit the shoes. Each pair is slightly different because they are handmade, so even within a particular style there could be variations.
Always have the type of toe padding you will be using with you because some are thicker than others and it can affect the fit. Don’t always assume you will need the gel toe pads available. Lambs wool is a good option as you can feel your feet more and they allow your feet to breathe.
A shoe should not be baggy when standing flat. A good way to know if the length is right is to stand in second position (flat) and grande plie. Your toes should just touch the front of the bloche. A shoe that is too big is bad, because when you go on Pointe, your foot slides down into the bloche , which can cause a lot of foot problems. The heel also slips off when you dance.
Always come and show me first your pointe shoes so I can double check the fit. Bring a small hand towel with you so we can do the fitting on the towel, this is so we don't mark the shoes and you can take them back if necessary.

Preparing The Shoe

To begin you will need ribbon, elastic, thread (wax coated dental floss is good as it is extra strong), and a needle. First you will cut the ribbon into four even pieces. The ribbon is rough on one side and smooth on the other. The rough side is placed toward your leg to reduce slipping.
To prevent the ribbons from fraying, the ends can be run very quickly through a match flame to melt the nylon fibers together.

Fold the back of the shoe down toward the insole and sew the ribbons on in the angle created by the fold (pin them first to make sure they are in the correct position).
To prepare the ribbon, fold the end over ¼ of an inch twice. This makes the ribbon-to-shoe connection stronger and hides the end of the ribbon, which prevents the ribbon from fraying. The ribbon should be attached at the previously specified location with small, close whip stitches, starting at the seam of the casing, down one side, across the bottom, and up the other side, using a double strand of thread.

Make sure you go through all thickness of the ribbon, but only the white canvas lining of the shoe. Also be sure to start your stitches at or below the seam in the casing so as to avoid catching the drawstring.

Not all students will need elastic on their point shoes. I suggest you try them first with just ribbons and see if it is necessary to have a elastic as well. Sewing the elastic neatly on the outside of the shoe is best. This will help to prevent blisters caused by rubbing and helps to protect your Achilles tendon.

Cut the elastic that you were given in half and sew it on the back of the shoe, ½ of an inch away from either side of the back casing. Again, be careful not to catch the drawstring. This should create a snug fitting loop around the ankle. The elastic should be attached with small, close whip stitches around the outer edge, just as you did with the ribbon.

Tying Your Pointe Shoes

Before you tie the ribbons around your ankle, you should tie the drawstring. The drawstring should be pulled by both ends until there are no gaps in your shoe. Then, tie a knot and tuck the ends into your shoe. Anything in excess of two or three inches should be trimmed off.
To tie the shoe on, first slip your foot through the elastic. Then, cross the ribbons across your instep; wrap them around the back to cross at your ankle, and again across the instep.
The ribbon on the outside of your foot is then wrapped around the back again to meet the ribbon on the inside of your foot. They should meet behind your ankle bone and in front of your Achilles tendon, on the inside of your leg. Here the two ribbons are tied into a knot. Any ribbon in excess of about three inches is trimmed off.
Next tuck one end toward the front of your shoe and the other end toward the back of your shoe. Lastly, pull a flat ribbon out and over to cover the knot.
Always tie the knot on the inside of your ankle, not at the back. It won't be putting pressure on your tendon this way.
Keep your feet flat when doing your ribbons so that the ribbon doesn’t cut off circulation.

Breaking In Your Shoes

Every time you wear your shoes they break down a little, especially if your feet are hot or sweaty. It is a good idea to break them in a little at home so your first class in them isn't as painful. Warm up before you even think about putting on your pointe shoes, otherwise you are destined for injury. You want to have warm, slightly sweaty feet. Do a few releves in first position taking extra time to slowly roll through them, pausing at demi-pointe and going over the arch after reaching full pointe. The key here is the slowly part. When you take them off, bend the shank with your hands as much gently, this will also help with breaking them in.

Preparing for Pointe

To be successful en pointe, it is important to have strong ankles. You should have been doing many years of ballet before you get your pointe shoes to ensure your ankles are strong enough. Standing in first position, do 16 relevés (begin and end in plie) and then 16 elevés (begin and end with straight legs). Next, standing on your right foot, coupe you left foot in back. Keeping this position do 8 relevés and then 8 elevés. Repeat on the left foot. Do all of these exercises holding onto the back of a chair for extra support. Try not to do them too fast, or else you will start to build endurance, not strength. It may be hard at first to get through, but after a while it gets easier and soon you will be able to do the whole thing twice through! This has really strengthened my feet and ankles this year, improving not only my pointe work, but also my arabesques and turns.

Being en Pointe

Always remember, that your toes are not made to support your weight in the pointe position. You need to support this weight by pulling up and out of your shoes with the rest of your body. Always keep your knees straight and pulled up. Keep your back straight and pulled up also. Your chest should be lifted and slightly forward (remember...shoulders down) Your lower back does a lot of the supporting. By holding the muscles in your legs, butt, and back, you can make pointe a whole lot easier on yourself. When you are on going up onto pointe push at where the ribbons cross. This helps to keep your feet from rolling in or out on pointe, which is very dangerous! It also helps you achieve a better pointe.

Some Reasons Teachers Don't Let Students Start Pointe

• Improper placement
• Too young
• Not pulled up in body or feet
• Feet not arched enough
• Lack of strength in torso
• Weak knees
• Weak ankles
• Basic stance on demi-pointe not strong and correct
• Taking too few classes per week