What You'll Learn
- The direct relationship between grand plié knee alignment and retiré position.
- How to use third position as a guide for correct foot and heel placement.
- The anatomical differences and tracking for retiré front versus retiré back.
- Techniques to maximize hip engagement to prevent your foot from sickling.
About This Video
In this expert QuickTip from Broche Ballet, we explore the essential mechanics of finding the correct knee position in retiré and passé. These positions are foundational to ballet technique, serving as the starting point for everything from développés to pirouettes. However, many dancers find it challenging to maintain the necessary turnout and alignment while balancing on one leg.
One of the most effective ways to visualize the correct knee placement is by looking at your grand plié. As our instructor explains, the angle and openness of your knees at the deepest point of a grand plié should be exactly the same as when your leg is lifted into retiré. If your knees are tracking over your toes in a demi-plié or grand plié, that same backwards energy must be applied to the working leg in a passé position.
To find this placement with precision, start by standing in third position. As you draw the working foot up the supporting leg, keep the heel aligned within that third position track. This ensures that in a retiré front, the leg remains properly oriented relative to the supporting limb.
Conversely, in a retiré back, the knee must stay pressed open to maintain the integrity of the position. This prevents the common mistake of closing the hip, which leads to a sickled foot and a loss of stability. By focusing on keeping the knees as far back as possible, just as you would in a deep plié, you maximize the engagement of your rotators.
As you grow stronger and your flexibility increases, you will be able to access a deeper grand plié, which directly correlates to a more turned-out and secure retiré. This alignment is vital for avoiding injury and creating the clean, professional lines that define classical ballet. Join the Broche Ballet community today to refine your technique and master the subtle details that make a world of difference in your dancing.
