Pointe Work Barre: Mastering Fondu, Tombé, and Petit Battement

Welcome to a focused 28-minute pointe work session at Broche Ballet, designed to elevate your technical precision at the barre. In this class, we dive deep into the mechanics of the fondu, tombé, and petit battement while wearing pointe shoes. Transitioning your classical technique to pointe shoes requires a heightened sense of awareness, and this practice is specifically structured to help you find the necessary balance between strength and fluidity.

We begin by focusing on the fondu, the 'melting' movement that serves as the foundation for all jumps and stable landings. Executing a fondu en pointe demands immense control in the supporting leg and a smooth coordination of the working leg as it extends. You will learn how to maintain tension where it is needed—in the core and the turnout of the hips—while allowing for the necessary relaxation in the joints to achieve a truly fluid motion.

Moving into petit battement, we address the challenge of speed and precision. In pointe shoes, the added weight and the stiffness of the shank change the sensation of the movement. Our instructor guides you through the correct coordination of the toes, hips, and knees, ensuring that each beat is crisp and clear.

We emphasize the technique of straightening the leg fully before the foot makes contact with the floor, a critical detail for advanced pointe work. The class also covers tombé and développé, where we focus on proper weight transfer and alignment. Mastering the en dehors (outward) movement is key to professional-looking transitions.

You will practice lifting the leg with intention and controlling the descent, particularly after a cambré, to maintain your center of gravity. Whether you are looking to improve your foot strength or refine your coordination, this barre session provides the technical breakdown necessary for growth. Join Broche Ballet as we refine these essential movements and build the confidence required for center work.