What You'll Learn
- How to prevent the leading foot from turning in during a glissade devant
- The secret to using your back foot to push the front heel forward upon landing
- Techniques for swiveling through demi-pointe to maintain maximum rotation
- The mechanical differences between executing front and back glissades
About This Video
The glissade is a fundamental connecting step in the ballet vocabulary, yet it remains one of the most challenging to execute with perfect form. At Broche Ballet, we believe that mastering the details of transition steps is what truly elevates a dancer's performance. In this quick technique tidbit, we focus on a common struggle for many adult dancers: maintaining consistent turnout while traveling through a glissade, both devant (front) and derrière (back).
Maintaining your rotation is not just about the starting position; it is about the active engagement of the muscles throughout the entire flight and landing of the step. Many dancers find that the front glissade is significantly harder to keep turned out than the back. This is primarily due to the tendency of the leading foot to turn inward as it slides across the floor.
To fix this, you must focus on your heel placement. This video demonstrates how to keep the heel driving forward, ensuring that your rotation remains initiated from the hip rather than just the ankle. A key takeaway from this lesson is the role of the trailing leg.
You will learn how to use your back foot as a motor to push the leading heel forward as you land. This coordinated effort between both legs creates a seamless, professional look. Additionally, we discuss the importance of moving through demi-pointe before swiveling the heel into its final position.
By focusing on these mechanics, you will find more stability in your plié and a cleaner line in your petit allegro. Whether you are practicing at the barre or in the center, these tips will help you maintain the integrity of your turnout in every direction.
