If you have ribbons on your ballet shoes, it is important to learn how to tie them correctly! Having ribbons on your shoes gives more support than elastic, but is not recommended for younger dancers as they can be fiddly.

Here is a guide of how to tie your ribbons - remember you can always ask in class, but please watch as you are shown so you can learn to tie them yourself!

	Put your foot into the shoe (left foot shown). Place the foot flat on the floor or pointe the foot slightly (not fully) to help get the tension right.
	Take the inside ribbon, and pull it diagonally across the ankle towards the outside of the foot.
	Wrap the ribbon firmly round the back of the ankle - do not allow the ribbon to wind high up the leg, keep it low down.
	Wrap the ribbon right round the ankle again, stopping at the inside of the ankle.
	Holding the inside ribbon firmly at the inside of the ankle, take the outside ribbon and pull it diagonally across the ankle so that it crosses the first ribbon neatly at the front
	Wrap the outside ribbon right round the ankle, stopping again at the inside of the ankle (note this is half a turn less than the inside of the foot, so this ribbon does not need to be as long as the inside ribbon - it is important to label shoes left and right as the ribbon lengths are different!)
	Tie the two ribbons together in a double knot at the inside of the ankle. Flex the foot gently to check you haven't tied them too tightly.
	Tuck the ends of the ribbon under the knot to finish tidily.

The small bow at the front of the ballet shoes adjusts the tension around the shoe - this does not need to be re-tied each time you put on your shoes. Make sure the ends of this bow are tucked neatly inside the shoe.

Now you are ready to dance!