What You'll Learn
- Techniques for pushing the knees back to maintain turnout during the transition in second position.
- How to swivel the heels on the floor like a promenade when grounding in fifth position.
- Ways to engage the back of the hip by pushing the heel forward as it leaves the floor.
- Maintaining consistent rotation throughout the entire descent and ascent of the grande plié.
About This Video
The grande plié is one of the most demanding exercises at the barre, requiring a delicate balance of strength, flexibility, and rotational control. While many dancers focus simply on the depth of the bend, the true secret to a professional-looking plié lies in how you maintain and even increase your turnout throughout the entire movement. In this Broche Ballet quick tidbit, we dive deep into specific mechanics that will transform your execution and help you find deeper rotation.
One of the most common pitfalls in ballet occurs during the transition at the bottom of the movement. In second position, as you prepare to return to a standing position, there is a natural tendency for the knees to roll forward. To counteract this, you must think about actively pushing the legs and knees back exactly as you change directions.
This engagement ensures that your rotation remains active from the hips down through the heels, providing a stable and turned-out base for the ascent. When working in fifth position, the transition of the heels is even more critical for stability and line. As the heels leave the floor, they should push forward immediately to engage the back of the hip and maintain the integrity of your turnout.
Conversely, as you return to the floor, visualize your heels swiveling on the floor like a promenade. This heel swivel action allows you to ground your feet firmly without losing the rotational tension required for a clean fifth position. By focusing on these subtle shifts—the forward heel placement and the active knee press—you move beyond just bending your knees and start dancing from your core rotation.
These tips are designed to help you find more space in the hip joint and create a more fluid, controlled grande plié. Join us at Broche Ballet as we break down these complex movements into actionable steps for the dedicated dancer looking to refine their technique.
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