How to Achieve Perfectly Straight Legs and Alignment in Frappé

Achieving the perfect line in ballet requires a combination of physical strength and mental imagery. In this Broche Ballet quick tip, we dive into one of the most common challenges encountered during barre work: maintaining fully straight legs during frappé. While the frappé is known for its sharpness and speed, the foundation of the movement lies in the precision of the extension. Many dancers accidentally lift their heel or 'hook' the foot at the end of the strike, which breaks the long, elegant line of the leg.

To correct this, we use a specific visualization technique: imagine a flashlight attached to your ankle. Instead of trying to kick the leg out and up toward the sky, focus on the light shining directly down toward the floor as you finish the movement. By stretching your foot toward the floor, you engage the correct muscles to fully straighten the knee and lengthen the leg from the hip. This subtle shift in focus prevents the leg from 'bouncing' and ensures a clean, crisp finish every time.

Another critical element covered in this lesson is pelvic stability. It is common for the pelvis to rock or tilt forward as the leg strikes out, especially when trying to find extra power. This movement not only compromises your balance on the supporting fondu leg but also makes it nearly impossible to keep the working leg truly straight. By keeping your pelvis level and avoiding any forward rocking motion, you create a stable base for the leg to move independently. We recommend practicing these corrections at a slow tempo before adding the traditional speed of a frappé combination. When you move slowly, you can feel the exact moment the knee reaches full extension and ensure your alignment remains vertical. Mastering these small details at the barre will transform your footwork and improve your overall technique.