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How to Tie Pointe Shoes

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Hold Both Ribbons

Hold ribbons

Tracy Wicklund
Although some ballet dancers prefer to dance without them, ribbons add extra support to your ankles. Pointe shoe ribbons should be tied tightly, but never so tight that they restrict movement of your ankles.

Note: Most ballet instructors teach their students to tie their pointe shoes with their feet flat on the floor, slightly flexed, to avoid cutting off circulation upon standing. In the illustrations that follow, however, the foot is held in an upright position for viewing purposes only.

  • Begin by holding both ribbons about halfway along their lengths and out to the sides.
  • Ideally, one ribbon should be slightly longer than the other.
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