What You'll Learn
- Precise glissade technique focusing on the initial brush and flick of the foot.
- Drills to improve weight transfer and balance during lateral movements.
- How to use the working leg for a powerful push-off into a sauté.
- Techniques for identifying and correcting body leaning during jumps.
- Strategies for increasing movement speed without sacrificing technical form.
About This Video
Welcome to Class #5 of the Broche Ballet Beginner Jump Series. In this session, we dive deep into the mechanics of the glissade, a fundamental gliding step that serves as the foundation for much of the allegro vocabulary. While the ultimate goal is to take flight, we begin this practice with essential no-jump speed drills. These exercises are designed to build the coordination and muscle memory required for safe, efficient transitions from the floor into the air.
The class focuses heavily on proper glissade technique and execution. You will learn to initiate the movement with a sharp dégagé, emphasizing the brush and flick of the foot against the floor. A common challenge for adult beginners is the weight transfer; our instructor guides you through the process of balancing on the leading foot before adding the powerful push-off that transforms a simple glide into a sauté. We place a high priority on body awareness, helping you identify if you have a personal tendency to lean or lose alignment during lateral movements. Correcting these tendencies early is vital for maintaining control as you increase the speed of your combinations.
Throughout this 24-minute practice, you will work on integrating technical precision with speed. By starting without the jump and focusing on the action of the powerful working leg, you build the specific strength needed to push off the floor effectively. As the class progresses, we gradually introduce a small jumping action, focusing on landing with a controlled, soft plié.
Safety is paramount in any jump series. We recommend performing these exercises on a sprung wood floor. If you are practicing on wood, consider wearing jazz sneakers for additional impact protection. We strongly advise against practicing these jumping movements on ceramic tile or concrete surfaces. Join us at Broche Ballet to refine your footwork and master the art of the glissade.
