How do you get better at pirrouettes? (on pointe and flat)?

Question

I can't do more than about 1 1/2 of a pirrouette on flat, and not even one on pointe. I've only been on pointe for a couple of months so turns aren't the best things for me yet... Any advice?

Answer 1

ok practice releve passe a lot and watch urself in the mirror

Answer 2

practice - stay focused

in pirouettes a strong relevé is essential  - as well as core strength - so get a really good plié with your heels on the floor - without that you are never going to be able to make double

practice on flat first - only when you feel confident enough move onto point  and before you turn , prepare, relevé and hold it.

good luck!

Answer 3

well when you first start pointe, dont expect to be able to do tons of pirouettes. Your feet have to strengthen up and get used to having more than 100 pounds all on your toes. but once your feet to strengthen, make sure you pull up like crazy, spot, and in passe, you should be aiming the pointed fot towards your crotch. and the most important thing is to GO FOR IT. even if you do 3 turns but then fall on your butt, you still did three turns and if you keep going for it eventually you will be able to get a clean triple (or more) =]

Answer 4

Practice and more practice.

Answer 5

I would suggest you to practice on flats first.

Work on your balance (doing arabesques can help you to balance on one leg while helping you stretch =)) on  both legs. Then found some surface to hold onto and slowly do pirrouettes while holding on to maintain your balance. DO this until you're comfortable enough.

Also, when you do them, get your toe at the back of your knee area and jerk your head around to the direction you want to end facing. Your head should turn first then your body basically.

For pointe, do the slow turning and eventually build up again.

Don't arch your back. Pretend you have a string attached to your head and you're held up by it. Keep your shoulders down, chin up, and elbows up at the right place =)

Answer 6

Stay firm and stay on your box on pointe. But dont look so firm as a robot, look firm but hide it with flowiness.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Most often, you work your arms more than you do your legs. There is a tendency to pull the arms in faster than you can complete your preparatory plié. When your arms move faster and stronger than your legs, that energy you are using becomes the weight that pulls you off balance. A rule to remember: ARMS NEVER MOVE FASTER THAN LEGS. In other words, your arms don't pull your legs up from the plié to your passé. Your arms also don't turn your head. Your arms should reflect the coiling of your spine and help your legs to complete the plié. I hope this helps!

Answer 8

Spotting and pulling up through the spine, abs, and ribcage are key here. No big wind up, no throwing the shouldars to increase your rotation...which actually throws most of us off balance anyway!

Answer 9

on pointe, keep your ankles firm but not stiff.  point your feet enough so that you get over the box (but not too much over).  pull up your spine; imagine a string holding you up by the back of your neck.  when you pull yourself up, you will hardly tilt back, front, side, etc.  if you do, correct your posture.  your arms should not be hanging out nor hugged too tight. make sure that you let your arms guide you, because they can make you do more pirouettes.  and always remember to spot.

Answer 10

practice practice practice!!

Answer 11

always always spot your head :)

whip your head around, pull up, do a good

preparation. bend as much as you need to -

i always think i look stupid doing my prep but

i can do about 3.5 pirouettes now!

on pointe, don't make your ankles too stiff.

Answer 12

practice on flat first and get that down first and when you first start ur rotations make sure to 'spring off' with a lot of energy

Answer 13

Practice. shoulders down. body up and make sure there is just enough energy for you to work with.. keep practicing...