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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare the body for pointe work
   • Prepare feet and pointe shoes for pointe work
   • Warm up and warm down the body for pointe using the entire body for support, including the legs, back and abdominal muscles
   • Identify and minimise risk factors associated with pointe work
   • Seek assistance and advice when injuries from pointe work occur
2. Perfect pointe technique
   • Demonstrate thorough understanding of pointe technique in each section of dance work
   • Perfect technical requirements in pointe work sequences
   • Demonstrate complex performance attributes and quality of movement in sequences of extended difficulty sur les pointes
   • Execute complex variations of ballet repertoire with accuracy and precision sur les pointes across ballet styles and genres
   • Work towards executing advanced enchaînements with precision, speed and clarity
   • Demonstrate accurate spatial arrangements, individual artistic quality, and correct musical and rhythmic interpretation en pointe
3. Review own progress in perfecting pointe work techniques
   • Demonstrate through ongoing technical strength, diversity and refinement, evidence of advanced self-correction and concentrated response to feedback
   • Evaluate pointe work and respond appropriately to feedback from others
   • Regularly view performances by industry practitioners as a way of sourcing new ideas, identifying trends, maintaining motivation, and improving own technique
   • Incorporate ballet terminology and history into discussions, and practice and performance activities

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

perfect pointe technique through practice, feedback and refinement

demonstrate technical ability when executing sequences sur les pointes

add individual artistry and expressive interpretation to the performance of ballet sequences

execute advanced enchaînements with speed and precision

use pointe work terminology correctly.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided for each of the above points at least once.

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Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements the individual must:

explain how the following principles relate to pointe work techniques:

balance

control of movement

muscular strength and flexibility

rotation

spatial awareness

successional movement

transference of weight

use of breath

explain how the following apply in the context of safe dance practice and injury prevention:

articulation of the spine

engagement of the feet

bases of support, including feet, legs, hands, arms and torso

range of motion of the joints

differentiation of the legs and pelvis

describe:

health and wellbeing issues relevant to classical ballet artists

risk factors in ballet for the body, especially in relation to pointe work

explain the relationship between musical rhythms and pointe work

describe key periods in the history of ballet and pointe and the principles of classical ballet.

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