Pirouette Placement

[DanaD]

I have heard many things about the placement of your rising foot (the one that stays on the floor) during a pirouette on pointe.

some say its a releve, while others say it is a spring where your toe is where your heel was.

any clarification?

 

Post and title edited for spelling of pirouette.

[vrsfanatic]

DanaD this is more of a technique question than a pointe shoe question therefore I have moved your question to the appropriate YDs Forum.

 

...some say its a releve, while others say it is a spring where your toe is where your heel was.

 

Both the spring and the rise to pointe without the spring are correct, with a bit of modification of your above statement. When springing up to pointe, the adjustment is approximately 1 inch, the length of your toes, as the heel springs upward under the calf, not the heel replacing the toes or the toes replacing the heel. The toes spring under themselves, aligning the heel and the toes directly under the dancer's hipsocket. Basically the torso goes straight up and the foot changes according to the dancer's foot and leg needs. The ankle remains in the same place whether on flat, or in a jump. To spring up really does mean "only go up" I would always laugh when a teacher would talk about that, but in the end, when springing up correctly, the statement is so very true.

 

You need to check with your teacher to see which way is being advised. Just make sure your teacher is able to tell you how to achieve what is advised.

Edited June 16, 2008 by vrsfanatic

[Victoria Leigh]

Dana, just a reminder, as this is the second post in a couple of days that was about technique, not pointe shoes. The YD forums are for questions about anything related to technique, classes, rehearsals, and performances. The Pointe Shoe forum is only for things related to the shoes, not what you do in them!

 

I would also like to suggest that you pick up a copy of Gail Grant's Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet. It is a small, very inexpensive book, and usually available at the large book stores like Barnes and Noble and Borders. You can also click on the link at the top of all of our pages and go directly to Amazon and order it there.

[DanaD]

Sorry about that!

 

And I'll see if I can find that book today