Ballet Final

Croisé devant

Position where the dancer faces diagonally, extending one leg to the front which crosses in front of the body.

Croisé derrière

Position where the dancer faces diagonally, extending one leg to the back which crosses behind the body.

Écarté devant

Position where the dancer faces diagonally, extending one leg to the side, closer to the audience.

Écarté derrière

Position where the dancer faces diagonally, extending one leg to the side, farther from the audience.

Épaulé

Position where the dancer faces diagonally with one leg extended back and the opposite shoulder forward, creating a twisted appearance.

Effacé devant

Position where the dancer faces diagonally, extending one leg to the front without crossing the body, creating an open line.

à la quatrième devant

Position where the dancer faces front with one leg extended forward.

à la quatrième derrière

Position where the dancer faces front with one leg extended backward.

à la seconde

Position where the dancer faces front, extending one leg to the side.

First arabesque

Position where the dancer stands on one leg with the other extended straight behind and opposite arm extended forward.

Second arabesque

Similar to the first arabesque, but opposite arm to the standing leg extends forward.

Third arabesque

Position where both arms extend forward, one higher than the other, balancing on one leg with the other extended behind.

Fourth arabesque

Position with a bent supporting leg and working leg extended behind, arms in opposite directions.

Demi plié

A half-bend of the knees while keeping the heels on the ground.

Grand plié

A full bend of the knees, lowering the body while the heels lift.

Relevé

Action of rising onto the balls of the feet from a flat position.

Sous-sus

A tight relevé in fifth position where the feet draw closely together.

Battement Dégagé

Action where the foot brushes off the floor and extends a few inches above the ground.

Rond de jambe en dehors

A circular motion of the leg outward from front to back.

Rond de jambe en dedans

A circular motion of the leg inward from back to front.

Battement fondu

Action where both legs bend and stretch simultaneously with the working foot pointed.

Battement frappé

Action where the foot strikes the floor and extends outward.

Grand Battement

A powerful kick of the leg to its maximum height.

Sur le cou-de-pied

Position where the working foot is wrapped around the ankle of the standing leg.

Cou-de-pied

Position where the working foot is placed just above the ankle, either in front or behind.

Retiré

Position where the working foot is drawn up to touch the supporting knee.

Passé

Action where the working leg moves from front to back (or vice versa) while passing the knee.

Balancé de côté

Action involving a rocking step to the side with weight shifting.

Pas de bourrée

A three-step movement transferring weight from one foot to the other.

Tombé

Action of falling onto one foot with the other extended.

Chassé

A gliding step where one foot chases the other.

Piqué turn

Action of turning by stepping on the ball of the foot with the other leg in retiré.

Soutenu

A smooth turn in relevé from one side to the other.

Chaînés

A series of rapid turns on two feet in relevé.

Pirouette en dehors

A turn on one leg, moving outward from the standing leg.

Sauté

A simple jump where both feet leave and return to the floor.

Changement

A jump that changes the position of the feet in the air.

Échappé

A jump where the feet escape from fifth position to an open position.

Sauté arabesque

A jump performed in an arabesque position.

Glissade de côté

A sliding step to the side.

Jeté

A leap from one foot to the other, landing with the working leg extended.

Pas de chat

A "cat-like" leap where both knees bend and pass through retiré.

Saut de chat

A grand leap where the leading leg develops into an extended position.

Tour jeté

A turning jump where the working leg brushes forward and switches to the other leg in the air.