I. BALLET AND PHYSIQUE

Chapter 8. Examples of Feet

The illustrations which follow show the feet of six student dancers, between 17-19 years of age, none of whom have had any foot trouble during their training, averaging 9 years, with the exception of E, who for a short time was off work with pain around the ankle joint. This was probably due to the inherent tightness of the joint and the effort to loosen it as pointe work increased. Other than this, the illustrations demonstrate the diffi­culty of making categorical statements as to which type of foot will withstand the training and what kind of execution can be expected of it. For instance, in general a very high arch does not make for good elevation, yet both B and F have exceptionally high springs; but as would be expected, they are only slowly getting that quick footwork for which strong muscles in the sole of the foot are necessary and which arc rarely found combined with a high arch. C on the other hand conforms to type in having little elevation and A in lacking speed. Both D and E are strong in action but E, with little arch and tight ankle joint which will not loosen further is a demi-caractère dancer in the making and wisely accepts the fact.

It will be seen that both A and I) have a slight degree of hallux valgus. This began only in their late teens, by which time the foot is fully grown and well trained, when some deviation in the joint seems then to give no trouble.

The only factors which appear to be common to all six arc the large big toe, broad front and the rounded pattern which the toes make on the floor. In none of them is there a sharp decrease in the length of the toes from 1st to 5th and this may well be of greater importance in the wearing quality of the foot than has yet been recognised.

A	B	C

A	B	C

Figure 17.  A. B And C.  The  Feet Of Three Student Dancers

D	E	F

D	E	F

Figure 18. D. E And F. The  Feet Of Three Other Student Dancers

A	B	C
A	B	C

D	E	F
D	E	F

Figures 19 And 20. Feet

N.B. The silhouette drawings, being; made from the photographs above, are designed to show the shape of the forefoot and toes. The arch therefore is not indicated, as would he the case in footprints.