The 3 Biggest Mistakes Dancers Make on Pointe—And How to Avoid Them
- yamanalu
- Feb 25
- 2 min read
Updated: May 7
Dancing on pointe is a significant milestone for ballet dancers, offering the opportunity to perform with grace and precision. However, certain common mistakes can hinder progress and increase the risk of injury. By identifying and addressing these pitfalls, dancers can enhance their technique and enjoy a safer pointe experience.
1. Curling the Toes Inside the Shoe
Many dancers inadvertently curl their toes while en pointe, often due to the sensation of the feet feeling trapped in the pointe, particularly in the beginning, this can become a habit if the dancer uses improperly fitted shoes or has insufficient foot strength. With time, this habit can lead to decreased stability and increased discomfort.
Solution: If I am working with beginners, I will usually ask the dancers to walk in space as soon as they put their pointe shoes on, and to do this very aware of the rolling of the foot inside the shoe and feeling the length of the toes. Another tip is while the teacher is speaking, you can focus on keeping the toes extended and flat within the shoe.
2. Rolling Ankles (Sickling)
Allowing the ankles to roll inward or outward, known as sickling, compromises balance and places undue stress on the joints, increasing the risk of sprains or fractures.
Solution: Maintain proper alignment by ensuring the ankle, knee, and hip are stacked vertically. Regularly practice ankle-strengthening exercises and be mindful of foot positioning during training.
3. Overturning Out (Forcing Turnout)
Forcing turnout beyond natural hip range can lead to rolling in of the feet and misalignment, causing strain on the knees and ankles.
Solution: Work within your natural turnout range. Strengthen the hip rotator muscles to gradually improve turnout without compromising alignment.
If you found the content of this article helpful, and you are ready to level up your pointe technique so that you can focus on the artistry and expression while dancing, I invite you to book a 30-minute free consultation with me. Let's talk about your goals, challenges and asspirations:
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