Pre Pointe Assessments
"Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world"
-Marilyn Monroe
Being considered to go en pointe is a very exciting time for a young dancer.
However, pointe work requires a great deal of strength, control and technique and while the years of prior training and technical development are crucial to a dancer's preparation for this transition, a dancer's readiness to go en pointe also relies in their physical readiness. With the increase in research into dance medicine, pre-pointe assessments have been developed to look at young dancers from an objective standpoint.
A pre-pointe assessment generally takes 1 hour to complete and all dancers are provided with an exercise program at the end of their appointment. Portside Physiotherapy recommends that young dancers start their pre-pointe journey 6-12 months prior to getting their pointe shoes. Many students will require follow-up appointments to work on the findings from their initial pre-pointe assessment; this is to ensure they are technically sound and strong enough to embark on the next stage of their pointe journey.
Dancer: Jasmin Branford
Portside Physiotherapy offers pre-pointe assessments to ballet students aged 10* and above. Please wear non-restrictive clothing that allows the physio to see your body move - e.g. crop top and bike shorts. Ballet tights and shoes are not required, bare feet are preferred. Parents are welcome to attend and the physiotherapist will answer any questions or concerns they may have. Portside Physiotherapy strongly recommends that young ballerinas participate in at least 3 hours of ballet technique training per week and be in their 4th year of ballet training as recommended by the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science.
Portside Physiotherapy believes that a pre-pointe assessment is only part of the process of transitioning en pointe. Even if a dancer is physically ready to transition en pointe, Portside Physiotherapy believes the final decision should be in collaboration with the ballet teacher, parent and dancer.
*an assessment at age 10 allows for a minimum of 12 months of pre-pointe exercise progression before looking to commence pointe work.
To book your pre-pointe assessment at either our Portarlington or Newtown clinic click the link below: