This exercise is a key component of pre-pointe training, designed to strengthen the ankles and improve foot alignment. This exercise specifically targets sickle foot alignment, which is not only aesthetically undesirable in ballet but also presents a risk during pointe work and landings from jumps. Incorporating this exercise into your teaching will significantly benefit your students' ankle stability and overall ballet technique.Preparation: Equip each student with a 3m (10ft) resistance band. Instruct them to wrap the band around one foot, positioning it underneath the opposite foot. Their feet should be in parallel.Steps:1. Ensure both feet are in dorsiflexion.2. Guide students to use the resistance by pulling on the band.3. Keep the foot in parallel and instruct them to open the left foot to the side and then return it.4. Repeat this 10 times slowly on each foot.Focus: Emphasise maintaining a parallel foot alignment throughout the exercise. Monitor students to ensure they are not over-straining their ankles.