What You'll Learn
- Identify and eliminate the kickstand reflex by keeping the foot connected to the knee during turns.
- Find your vertical axis by correctly aligning the body over the supporting leg in relevé.
- Refine spotting mechanics by mastering the delayed head whip to improve rotation speed.
- Practice controlled descents from passé to ensure a stable and graceful finish to every turn.
- Utilize shuffle drills to build coordination and maintain leg placement during movement.
About This Video
Mastering the ballet pirouette requires more than just momentum; it requires precise alignment, refined mechanics, and mental focus. In this specialized 16-minute class from Broche Ballet, we dive deep into the technical nuances of turning to help you stop falling out of your pirouettes prematurely. One of the most common hurdles for intermediate dancers is the 'kickstand reflex'—the instinctive urge to drop the working leg the moment balance feels even slightly unstable.
This session is designed to retrain your nervous system to keep the foot firmly attached in a high retiré, even when your center of gravity shifts, ensuring you complete your rotation with poise. A key focus of this class is finding your vertical axis. Many dancers struggle with weight distribution when transitioning from a fourth position preparation into the turn.
We will explore how to find the 'up and over' feeling, ensuring your weight is perfectly centered over the supporting leg in relevé. By practicing specific drills that challenge your stability, such as our unique shuffle drill, you will learn to maintain your passé placement regardless of lateral movement. Spotting is another essential component of a successful turn.
We will break down the mechanics of the head whip, teaching you how to delay the rotation until you feel a natural stretch in the neck. This technique ensures your head is the last thing to leave and the first thing to arrive, which is vital for maintaining orientation and preventing dizziness. Finally, we focus on the finish.
A pirouette is only as good as its landing. We will practice controlled descents, where you lower the standing heel slowly while maintaining the working leg’s height. This builds the eccentric strength necessary for a graceful and stable conclusion to every turn.
Whether you are working on consistent singles or preparing for more advanced combinations, these drills provide the technical foundation you need to turn with confidence.
