Technique Tip: Your feet are part of the skill!
If you’ve ever been in class focused on a skill while your teacher repeatedly calls out, “Point your feet!” you may have had the thought:
I KNOW. 😂 And then felt a little annoyed.
I get it.
And yes, if we’re choosing between the correct wrap and pointed feet, PLEASE choose the correct wrap.
Still, pointing your feet does more than make a skill prettier.
It helps you recruit more of the muscles throughout your legs. And when your legs are more engaged, it can be easier to keep track of where your body is in space, which can improve body awareness, connection and control while you’re in the air.
That added awareness can support safer movement too. It doesn’t replace correct wraps, technique, or spotting, of course, but the more connected you are to what your body is doing mid-air, the better.
See below for a video breakdown, plus a few simple tips you can start using in your training right away.
Try This ...
Stand tall and extend one leg straight in front of you. First, completely relax your foot. Let it be a floppy little fish. 🐟 Then try to fully engage the rest of your leg at the same time.
It’s harder than you’d think, right?
Now point your foot like you mean it, or flex it strongly and notice how different the entire leg feels. That’s the goal: intentional activation all the way through the leg and into the foot.
Pointed Isn't the Only Way!
Of course, choreography-wise your feet can have personality! Pointed isn’t the only way.
Your feet can:
Point
Flex
Change shape
Move through different positions
Become part of the choreography itself
A strong flexed foot or a little intentional foot-ography can be beautiful.
The key word is intentional. If your feet are just flopping around because you forgot they existed, there may be a little room for improvement. 😉
Add This to Your Warm-Up
Before you get in the air, spend a few minutes actively engaging your feet.
Stand tall and extend one leg forward with a strongly pointed foot. Then:
Bend and fully straighten your leg 5 times, keeping your foot actively pointed.
Hold the leg fully straight with a pointed foot for 5 counts.
Lower and lift the leg 5 times while maintaining that same activation.
Repeat the sequence with your leg extended to front, side and back, on both sides.
Too easy? Make it 10 extensions, a 10-count hold and 10 lifts.
The goal is to maintain that activation through your entire leg while it’s moving. You can also practice this between turns in the air. Those little moments of focused activation can add up and make a real difference in how controlled and aware you feel.
A Small Detail That Can Make a Big Difference
With the holidays coming up, there are usually even more opportunities for performances and student showcases. Giving your feet a little more attention might be one of those small details that helps your movement feel more polished, confident and intentional onstage.
Sometimes improving isn’t about learning one more trick. It’s about refining the movement you already have so you can really shine.
So the next time your teacher reminds you to point your feet for what feels like the thousandth time, try not to be too annoyed. 😂
They may have a point.
And once that wrap is correct?
Point. Your. Dang. Feet. 👣✨
Want to Work on It?
Enjoy complimentary access to a 9-minute foot warm-up from APTV, through November 30th, 2026. Add it to your training repertoire whenever you want a little extra focus on those feet. TRY THE FOOT WARM-UP HERE 👣
