Editing Pointe technique (section)

{{Short description|Ballet technique for dancing on the tips of toes}}
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[[File:EnPointeFoot.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6|''En pointe'' foot in a [[pointe shoe]]]]

'''Pointe technique''' ({{IPAc-en|p|w|ae|n|t}} {{respell|pwant}}<ref>{{cite book |last=Wells |first=John |author-link=John C. Wells |title=Longman Pronunciation Dictionary |publisher=Pearson Longman |edition=3rd |date=3 April 2008 |isbn=978-1-4058-8118-0}}</ref>) is part of [[classical ballet]] involving a [[ballet technique|technique]] that concerns ''pointe work'', in which a [[ballet]] dancer supports all body weight on the tips of fully extended feet when wearing [[pointe shoe]]s. A dancer is said to be ''en pointe'' ({{IPAc-en|ɒ̃|-|,_|ɒ|n|-|,_|ɑ:|n|_|'|p|w|ae|n|t}}) when the body is supported in this manner, and a fully extended vertical foot is said to be ''en pointe'' when touching the floor, even when not bearing weight.

Pointe technique resulted from a desire for female dancers to appear weightless and [[sylph]]-like. Although both men and women are capable of pointe work, it is most often performed by women. Extensive training and practice are required to develop the strength and technique needed for pointe work.<ref name="Understanding Pointe">{{cite web |last1=Yang |first1=Raissa |title=Understanding Pointe |url=http://understandingpointe.weebly.com/ |website=Understanding Pointe |publisher=Weebly.com |access-date=11 April 2016}}</ref> Typically, dance teachers consider factors such as age, experience, strength and alignment when deciding whether to allow a dancer to begin pointe work.<ref name="Brandt">{{cite web |last1=Brandt |first1=Amy |title=Am I Ready for Pointe? |url=http://www.dancespirit.com/how-to/ballet/am-i-ready-for-pointe/ |website=DanceSpirit Magazine |publisher=Dance Media, LLC |access-date=9 April 2016}}</ref>