The Foot

Arch: The curve of the sole of the foot.

Instep: The curve of the top of the foot.

Metatarsals: Five long bones connecting the forefoot to the heel area. The metatarsal area usually refers to the ball of the foot: the end of the metatarsals nearest the toes.

Bunion: Deformity and inflammation of the big toe joint, often very painful. Proper pointe fitting and training help dancers avoid or delay bunion development.

Achilles tendon: The largest tendon in the body, running from the heel bone into the calf. Ribbons should always be tied, and elastics sewn, slightly to the side, never directly on the Achilles.

The Shoe

Toe box: The part of the shoe that holds the toes. The toe box is stiffened to keep the toes straight and provide support on pointe. The sides are often called wings. The toe box softens with use; when it gets too soft to be supportive, the shoes must be replaced.

Platform: The flat area at the tip of the toe box. This is the surface on which the dancer balances on pointe.

Shank: The firm but flexible supportive layer in the sole of the shoe.

Vamp: The part of the shoe that covers the top, or front, of the toes. Dancers choose a high (long) or low (short) vamp based on their toe length and their strength. The curved opening of the vamp is often called the throat. The vamp may open in a V-cut or a U-cut shape.

Crown: The height of the toe box, from the sole to the vamp. Dancers choose a high or low crown based on the fullness of their feet at the metatarsals and instep.

Taper: The narrowing of the toe box from the metatarsal area to the platform. In order to dance safely and comfortably, dancers need the degree of taper that best matches their foot shape.

Drawstring: A string, often elastic, that runs around the binding of some pointe shoes and is used for refining the fit.

Pointe Work

On pointe: On the tips of the toes. Also referred to as en pointe.

On flat: Standing with the entire sole of the foot or shoe on the floor.

Demi-pointe: Raising the heels but keeping the toes flat on the floor, so that the foot is bent at the metatarsal area.

Relevé: Rising from flat to demi-pointe or pointe.

Rolling to pointe: Passing through demi-pointe on the way from flat to pointe. Also called rolling through.

Springing to pointe: Rising to pointe with minimal roll-through, almost as if jumping onto the toes.