What You'll Learn
- The secret to leading with the inside of the heel when closing back
- How to maintain turnout and rotation through the transition
- Why heel contact is essential for a clean cross in ballet
- Tips for avoiding common alignment mistakes in side tendus
About This Video
In this concise instructional video from Broche Ballet, we dive into a specific technical detail that often trips up dancers: closing in the back from a tendu side. While the tendu side seems straightforward, the transition back to a closed position—whether it is première position or fifth position—requires precise control of the heel and inner thigh. Many dancers mistakenly pull the foot back with the toes, which causes the heel to drop and the turnout to vanish.
To correct this, you must focus on the inside of the heel. As you begin to slide your working foot back toward your supporting leg, consciously press the inside of your heel forward. You want to feel the heel of your moving foot stay in contact with the front foot as long as possible. This pressing forward action helps maintain the rotation in the hip socket and ensures a tight, clean closure. At Broche Ballet, we often call this creating a smile with the heels—where the contact point remains constant and smooth.
Developing this habit is crucial for more than just simple barre exercises. It sets the foundation for more complex footwork, such as frappé and glissade, where the speed of the closure requires instinctive heel leading. By slowing down and focusing on the path of the heel during your tendu practice, you build the muscle memory needed for effortless movement in center work. Practice this at the barre, paying close attention to the sensation of the floor against the sole of your foot and the constant contact between your heels to achieve that professional, polished look.
