How to Cross Ballet Shoe Straps

Properly tied ballet shoes will help avoid injury on the dance floor.

Just as athletes must take care to ensure that their shoes are tied correctly in order to avoid a serious fall, it is vitally important for dancers to tie their ballet shoes properly so that they may perform flawlessly and not injure themselves. A ballet dancers’ feet must enjoy freedom of movement, while at the same time being securely wrapped in their shoes. There is a tricky balance between lacing the shoes too tight and too loose.

Instructions

1. Put on your left ballet shoe.

2. Point your left toes forward, arching your feet.

3. Pull the inner strap over the inner ankle bone and across the top of your foot.

4. Bring the strap down over the outer ankle bone and around the back of your ankle. The crease behind your ankle, just above the heel, is where is where the strap crossing needs to be positioned. Don't position the strap too high.

5. Cross the outer strap over the outer ankle bone and across the top of your foot.

6. Bring the strap down over the inner ankle bone and around the back of the ankle.

7. Pull both straps over the top of the foot where they can meet each other in the center.

8. Tie a double knot while you point your foot away from you to find the most comfortable fit with the tautness of the knot.

9. Tuck the ends of the strap behind the knot for a neat finish.

10. Repeat the same process with the right ballet shoe on the right foot.

Tips & Warnings

• Each dancer will have a different comfort level with her knot. The tightness and positioning of the knot with the straps is highly personal to each ballet dancer.

• If the shoes feel too tight or too loose, untie them and begin all over again in order to avoid a fall or twisted ankle due to improperly tied shoes.

References

• MB Dancers: How To Tie Ballet-Shoe Ribbons