When are you ready for pointe?-Bloch

Dancing en pointe is the pinnacle of every ballet dancer’s journey. This classical technique is renowned as the most iconic and elegant element of ballet, enabling a dancer to appear light as a feather, and completely fluid and graceful. 

But how can you tell when you’re ready to start practicing? What age should you be for pointe shoes? And what are the requirements for pointe work? Pointe work can be dangerous and damaging to the feet if attempted incorrectly — or if a dancer is not quite strong enough to take that step up — so it’s hugely important to be well prepared and practice caution to limit any potential damage.

Here's what you need to know to get ready for dancing en pointe.