What You'll Learn
- The fundamental coordination required for glissade and assemblé combinations
- Proper port de bras and arm placement to maintain balance during jumps
- The mechanics of the jeté, focusing on the brushing action and foot articulation
- How to use a deep plié to improve jump height and ensure safe landings
- Developing muscle memory through repetitive sauté and échappé drills
About This Video
Mastering the art of petite allegro is a cornerstone of ballet training, bringing together speed, precision, and lightness. In this focused 10-minute session from Broche Ballet, we dive into the foundational movements that make jumping both graceful and powerful. Whether you are just starting your journey or looking to refine your footwork, this class provides the repetitive practice necessary to build lasting muscle memory.
The session begins with a dynamic sauté warm-up. We focus heavily on the articulation of the foot, ensuring you feel the point through the toes the moment they leave the floor. This initial phase also introduces a ballet variation of jumping jacks—the échappé—where we contrast standard athletic movements with specific balletic port de bras.
You will learn the importance of maintaining a strong core and a deep plié to cushion your landings and provide the spring for your next jump. As we transition into the main combinations, we break down the mechanics of the glissade, assemblé, and jeté. A common challenge for beginners is the coordination of the arms and legs.
We emphasize a clean port de bras, teaching you to move the arms through first position rather than simply swinging them out to the side. This subtle detail is what separates a student from a true dancer. For the jeté, we focus on the brushing action of the leg and the precise timing required to land with stability.
Consistency is key in petite allegro. By repeating these glissade and assemblé combinations, you will start to feel the rhythm and syncopation that define allegro work. Join us at Broche Ballet as we work to improve your jumping technique, focusing on the small details that lead to big improvements in your overall dance quality.
By the end of this practice, you will have a better understanding of how to use your floor pressure to achieve height and clarity in every jump.