A pre-pointe assessment is designed to assess a dancer’s readiness for pointe in order to prepare a dancer for a successful transition onto pointe, as well as prevent pain and lifelong injury.Learning to dance en pointe is one of the most exciting times in a ballet dancer’s life. However, it is important to remember that dancing en pointe is not a typical function of the human foot. If a dancer does not have adequate strength and stability, it can place excessive stress on the feet and ankles, legs, pelvic girdle, and trunk.
What is a Pre-Point Assessment?
It is important to be assessed by a qualified therapist who has experience working with ballet dancers. I have worked for over 15 years conducting detailed pre-pointe assessments, creating training programs to correct and optimize individual biomechanics and technical elements to safely and effectively prepare dancers to go onto pointe.
In the initial Pre Pointe Assessment, I will assess the dancer in detail to determine their readiness for pointe. This includes assessing pointe range, foot control, turnout range and pelvic stability, core control and the application of all of these in basic ballet steps. After the assessment, the dancer (and their teacher, if desired) will receive a report, outlining the results of the assessment and the outcome. The dancer will be given a set of exercises to work on until their next appointment.
All our Pre Pointe and Dance Assessment consultations are an hour long, allowing me to spend quality time with the dancer and enable a thorough assessment and tailored exercise program development.
What happens after the Pre-Pointe Assessment?
After working on their prescribed exercises at home for 3-6 weeks the dancer is usually reassessed to determine their progress. Anywhere from 1-5 appointments may be required before a dancer is achieves all of the components required to safely progress onto pointe. This is obviously dependent on their current level of training, and also their diligence with their home program.
I am passionate about helping dancers train effectively and safely. Whether you hope to dance professionally or aim to get onto pointe just for fun and passion, I can help you achieve your goals. While dancing en pointe can be extremely rewarding, it does come with substantial injury risks. Investing in proper preparation and training in invaluable for both success on pointe and long term dance longevity.
Contact Me now for more information or to book your Pre-pointe assessment.