The Misconception of “Pointing your Toes”

“Dancing is the poetry of the foot.”

-John Dryden

The sport of dance requires an immense amount of ballet technique to the feet. One of the single most important ballet techniques to apply while dancing is the pointe of the ankle and stretch of the feet. A common name misconception for the act of stretching ones feet is “pointing your toes.” Pointing your toes is not technically the correct phrase when training to stretch and extend through the ankle. Although commonly used by the dance world it is a serious no no in your simple, basic ballet technique.

The reason “pointing your toes” is not an acceptable term when correcting, is its literal definition. In translation it is the pointe of your toes, and only your toes. If you are just “pointing your toes” you may be teaching your feet incorrectly. The saying of pointing your toes is just the act of curling the toes, which may transform into a sickled foot and a bad arch. While in reality to demonstrate a correctly executed pointe one must; engage the leg, pointe with the ankle, extend through the arch, bringing the ankle forward to wing out the foot, making the toes face downward.

 

It’s important that you are executing your pointe correctly through the ankle and not your toes. If that means changing the phrase of words from, “pointe your toe” to “stretch the arch,” or “pointe through the ankle,” it is highly suggested you do so. Although the expression of pointing your toe is commonly used, accepted and known, it could be transformed into a more ballet technical translation. The changing of the phrase could dramatically improve the understanding of the term and bring more awareness to the importance of getting a stretched arch to pointe the ankle.

Always remember the significance of a properly performed pointed ankle as it will considerably transform the way you look, think and complete all ballet techniques and skills.

~Julia Brewer