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Ballet VocabularyThis section will introduce 8 exercises regularly found in a ballet class. Pictures show the movement and the written explanations aim to help you find a way to commit the practical action to memory. Some of you may recognise yourselves, and equally the photos may or may not always be the best way to do a movement but merely to help you remember movements you may have done.

Use the arrows to move between exercises and home if you wish to change styles from ballet to contemporary or move on to the test.

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Enjoy!

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Positions of the feet

First position: stand with heels together and toes turned out, with arms held in front as if holding a barrel.

5 positions.

Different syllabi have different arm positions but the feet remain the same.

Second position: stand with feet apart and toes pointing outwards, arms stretched out to the sides.

Third position: stand with toes turned out but with one foot in front of the other so that one heel rests against the arch of the other foot. Raise one arm above your head with the other arm curved in front, like first position.

Fourth position: like third position but with the front foot stepped a little way in front of the back foot, rather than touching it.

Fifth position: like third position but with the front heel resting against the toe of the back foot instead of against the arch. Both arms are raised above your head.

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Demi Plié Literally translates as half bend.

Here, the heels stay on the floor and the length of the Achilles tendon will dictate how far the knees can bend, over toes (the plie in diamond shape).

This position helps with the landing of jumps, preparation for pirouettes and with alignment.

Can you see a difference in the two pictures?

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Grand Plié Literally translates as big bend.

Here, the instructions are to go through the demi plie with knees over toes, and return to standing in the position started. In the 1st, 3rd and 5th positions, the heels comes off the floor. This is the not the case in 2nd and 4th open positions.

The picture on the left shows the plie in first position and the picture on the right shows the side alignment. Ideally, you shouldn’t collapse at the bottom of a grand plie.

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Battement TenduLiterally translates as beated stretch.

Here, you should slide your foot along the floor until fully stretched. It should remain in turnout at all times, and not over or under cross. The leg stays in a straight line and the foot stays on the floor.

It can be taken in front (devant), to the side (à la seconde) or behind the supporting leg (derrière).

Devant Derrière

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Battement GlisséLiterally translates as beated glide.

Here, you should slide your foot along the floor until fully stretched. It still stays in a straight line but stretches so much that it raises an inch off the floor.

It can also be taken in front (devant), to the side (à la seconde) or behind the supporting leg (derrière).

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Battement Fondu Literally translates as beated melt (fondu – to melt).

To start, both legs should bend, with the working leg starting in a cou-de-pied position. The final position to reach is both legs straightening in a stretch about 45 degrees off the floor.

This is a strengthening exercise and it is good to keep the image of an elastic band, reaching its full potential on the extension.

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Rond de Jambe (a terre)

Literally translates as round of the leg, on the floor.

The exercise can start from 1st or 5th position but often takes a tendu to a la seconde (second position, stretched). The direction you then take depends on whether you have been asked for en dedans or en dehors. Whichever direction you take, the foot should always pass through 1st position.

En Dehors – out the door, or away from the supporting leg.

En Dedans – inwards, or towards the working leg. Can you see the difference in the photos?

En Dehors En Dedans

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Développé Literally translates as developing movement.

A développé is a movement in which the working leg is drawn up to the knee of the supporting leg in retiré and slowly extended to an open position en l'air and held there with perfect control. The heel and ankle should be able to hold a teacup level as it unfolds!

The hips are kept level and square to the direction in which the dancer is facing. Unless specified choreographically the supporting leg should be straight.

Retiré

Taken a la seconde

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Grand Battement Literally translates as large beats.

Your leg is “thrown” from the starting position, generally 5th position to 4th or 2nd and re-turned to the start. The working leg passes through a battement tendu both on the way up and the way down.

Click the box to see this movement in action. (If online, move to the next slide). Note the professional dancer is taking the leg above 90⁰ – this is not recommended for beginners!

Well done!

You are now ready for the ballet section of the quiz. You can also proceed to upload your own ballet photos, of these movements, or other movements you have studied in class.