Editing Pointe technique (section)

==Training==
[[File:Ballet barre.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Ballet dancer performing [[Barre (ballet)|barre]] exercises]]

===Prerequisites===
Although age is not necessarily a prerequisite, many ballet students do not begin to dance en pointe earlier than approximately 12–14 years of age because bones in the feet are often too soft prior to that age and in such cases serious and permanent foot injuries could result from starting pointe work too early. While some students start pointe work at the age of ten or eleven, this should only be practised by highly accomplished and experienced students.<ref name="Understanding Pointe" /><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.iadms.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=185 |title=When Can I Start Pointe Work? Guidelines for Initiating Pointe Training |author=David S. Weiss |author2=Rachel Anne Rist |author3=Gayanne Grossman |journal=[[Journal of Dance Medicine & Science]] |volume=13 |number=3 |year=2009 |pages=90–92 |doi=10.1177/1089313X0901300304 |archive-date=11 October 2013 |access-date=17 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011032429/http://www.iadms.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=185 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bedinghaus |first=Treva |title=Are You Ready for Pointe? |url=http://dance.about.com/od/adultdancers/a/Begin_Pointe.htm |publisher=About.com |access-date=26 April 2011 |archive-date=14 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814071545/http://dance.about.com/od/adultdancers/a/Begin_Pointe.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The long bones in feet begin to harden between the ages of 8 and 14; dancing en pointe before one's bones have hardened can lead to trauma and growth-plate fractures that create deformed feet.<ref name="Brandt" />

Exceptions may be made if a [[physician]] has determined that a dancer's feet have sufficiently [[ossification|ossified]],<ref name="Understanding Pointe" /><ref name="Prina">[[Scuola di Ballo del Teatro alla Scala]]: Testo programmatico per lo studio della danza classica – Teatro alla Scala, A. M. Prina</ref><ref>Fit feet – ballet dancers and pointe work, ''Dance Magazine'', September 1997, Marian Horosko</ref> and it is not uncommon for dancers to begin pointe work as early as age nine.<ref>About.com – http://dance.about.com/od/adultdancers/a/Begin_Pointe.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814071545/http://dance.about.com/od/adultdancers/a/Begin_Pointe.htm |date=14 August 2011 }}</ref> Oftentimes dance studios require their dancers to have their feet x-rays and get their physician to verify whether the dancer's feet are ready for pointe work.<ref name="Understanding Pointe" />

Another key determining factor is strength in the legs, feet, ankles and core.<ref name="Understanding Pointe" /> Without strong ankles, feet and legs dancers are likely to hurt themselves once en pointe or be too weak to remain en pointe for the duration of a routine.<ref name="Understanding Pointe" /><ref name="Brandt" /> Strong core strength ensures the dancer maintains their center and prevents them from rolling their feet when dancing en pointe.<ref name="Understanding Pointe" /><ref name="Brandt" />

Otherwise ballet students are generally ready to begin pointe work after achieving competency in fundamental ballet technique and have been dancing for a number of years.<ref name="Understanding Pointe" /> For example, before learning pointe work, a dancer must be able to maintain [[turnout (ballet)|turnout]] while performing center combinations, hold a proper ballet position with straight back and good turnout, pull up properly in the legs, and balance securely in a relevé that is perpendicular to the floor.

===Preparation (pre-pointe classes)===
Preparation for pointe work is a gradual process that begins with [[Barre (ballet)|barre]] exercises to develop the requisite strength in ankles, feet, legs and core often known as pre-pointe classes.<ref name="Understanding Pointe" /><ref name="Pre-Point" /> These exercises may vary in accordance with a teacher's preferences and if applicable, the training method's [[syllabus]]. The first exercises at the barre are usually ''relevés'' and ''échappés''.<ref name="Prina" /> When the student is comfortable executing these steps on both feet and sufficiently strong, steps ending on one en pointe foot are introduced such as ''pas de bourrée'' and ''retiré.''

During each class session, a student will move on to centre exercises after completing the barre work. These exercises emphasize various aspects of ballet technique such as: [[turnout (ballet)|turnout]], pointing of the toes, and the use of ballet technique while en pointe.

Dancers typically take pre-pointe lessons for a year before they are allowed to get pointe shoes.<ref name="Understanding Pointe" /><ref name="Pre-Point">{{cite web |last1=Bedinghaus |first1=Treva |title=What are pre-point classes? |url=http://dance.about.com/od/Pointe_Ballet/f/What-Are-Pre-pointe-Classes.htm |website=About Home |publisher=About.com |access-date=11 April 2016 |archive-date=25 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425122827/http://dance.about.com/od/Pointe_Ballet/f/What-Are-Pre-pointe-Classes.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, it is at the discretion of the dance instructor to determine if one year of pre-pointe is sufficient or if the dancer needs more time to prepare. Hence, it is quite common for students to take two or even three years of pre-pointe in order to properly assimilate all the material required for pointe.<ref name="Pre-Point" />