What You'll Learn
- The mechanical breakdown of the fouetté turn, focusing on the plié and relevé cycle.
- How to use shoulder blade engagement and arm placement to generate controlled rotational force.
- Drills for maintaining a vertical axe and improving balance during rapid transitions.
- Coordination techniques for synchronized leg and arm movements à la seconde.
About This Video
Welcome back to our advanced turning series at Broche Ballet. In this second installment of our four-part masterclass, we dive deep into the intricate mechanics of the fouetté turn. If you are already consistently landing single pirouettes and are looking to increase your technical vocabulary, you are ready to take on the challenge of this iconic and demanding ballet movement.
A successful fouetté is much more than just raw momentum; it is a sophisticated study in coordination, timing, and structural integrity. This class focuses heavily on the essential foundation of the turn: the rhythmic plié and relevé action. We begin with targeted drills to stabilize your axe and ensure your spine remains perfectly vertical throughout every rotation.
You will learn how to specifically engage your shoulder blades to generate rotational force efficiently without sacrificing your upper body alignment or breaking at the waist. We explore various specialized drills, including plié passé balance exercises and movements à la seconde to build the necessary stamina in the standing leg. This strength is vital for sustaining the specific whip action of the working leg that characterizes the fouetté.
The instructor provides detailed guidance on the precise timing of the turn, helping you synchronize the opening of the leg to the side with the demi-plié and the closing of the leg to retiré during the relevé. Throughout this 23-minute session, we also emphasize the importance of core engagement and spotting corners to maintain balance across multiple rotations. By practicing these isolated drills, you will challenge your equilibrium and improve your control over your center of gravity.
Whether you are working on mastering your first clean double or looking to refine a long sequence for center work, these drills provide the technical breakdown needed to turn with professional confidence and grace. Join us at Broche Ballet as we demystify one of the most celebrated turns in the classical repertoire.
