What Ballet Terms are in Pointe Shoes
Want to know what ballet terms are done en pointe?
Great! Here’s a list of common ballet terms that are usually performed on pointe:
Positions & Poses
- Piqué – stepping directly onto pointe or demi-pointe.
- Relevé sur pointe – rising onto full pointe from flat or demi-pointe.
- Tendu en pointe – extending the leg with the foot pointed and supporting on the tip.
- Dégagé en pointe – similar to tendu but the foot slightly leaves the floor, done on pointe.
- Arabesque en pointe – one leg extended behind while balancing on the supporting leg en pointe.
- Attitude en pointe – leg lifted in front, side, or back while balancing on pointe.
- Échappé en pointe – feet slide from a closed position to an open one while rising onto pointe.
- Fondu en pointe – lowering and raising on one leg while on pointe.
Turns & Pirouettes
- Pirouette en pointe – turning on the tip of the supporting foot.
- Chassé en pointe – sliding step that can be done onto pointe.
- Sauté en pointe – small jump or hop performed fully on pointe.
Other Steps
- Pas de bourrée en pointe – small connecting step done en pointe.
- Grand jeté en pointe – large leap landing or launching on pointe.
- Ballonné en pointe – bouncing step done on pointe, usually light and airy.
💡 Tip: Not every dancer does all these steps on pointe, but these are the ones most commonly associated with pointe work in classical ballet. Pointe is generally reserved for intermediate or advanced levels, since it requires strength and training.
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