A step by step exercise plan for coming down off the pointe shoes by the Artistic Associate from the Queensland Ballet.

Dancers tend to think of pointe work in terms of “getting up’ onto their toes. Far more difficult though, is the actual coming down. When it’s well-executed, the descent from pointe, just like the descent from jumps, is what gives the impression of control, articulation and co-ordination between one step and another.

A step by step guide to help you master this step by Artistic Associate of The Qld Ballet Robyn White.

Saut de basque is a difficult step to execute correctly.
There is a preparatory exercise which I find very helpful.
 Here it is, with the counts underneath:

‘and’  Demi-plié in 5th éffacé (ouvert), weight well
centred on two legs. 

‘a’ Extend the leg devant, weight still firmly on
the back leg.  Make sure that your shoulders stay back over the toes of the back leg, don’t let them come forward and drag your weight off the back leg.

Robyn White Artistic Associate Queensland Ballet gives some fantastic advice about the importance of taking in air and expelling it out!

The glissade belongs to the family of linking steps and is one of the most important, but also one of the most difficult to execute correctly. by Robyn White Artistic Associate Queensland Ballet

Here is a glissade derrière as used in allegro, taken in slow motion.