What You'll Learn
- How to use heel resistance to maintain hip rotation
- The importance of initiating a tendu back with the toes
- Techniques to prevent the leg from rotating inward during extension
- Visual cues for better alignment in first position
About This Video
Maintaining proper turnout is one of the most persistent challenges in ballet, particularly when moving the leg behind the body. Many dancers find that their leg naturally wants to rotate inward as they transition from first position into a tendu back. This quick tip from Broche Ballet addresses the technical mechanics required to keep your hips open and your lines clean during this fundamental movement.
The key to a successful tendu back lies in the relationship between your heel and your toes. Often, dancers make the mistake of letting the heel lead the way or lifting it off the floor too early. When the heel lifts prematurely, the structural support for external rotation is lost, making it nearly impossible to hold the turnout from the hip.
In this lesson, we demonstrate how to keep your heel firmly planted on the floor as you begin the slide. By keeping the heel down as long as possible, you force the rotational muscles of the hip to stay engaged. The movement should be initiated by the toes; imagine your toes reaching for the back corner of the room while your heel resists leaving the floor.
This opposition creates the necessary tension to lock in your turnout. As the leg extends to its full length, the heel will naturally lift into the final pointed position, but the foundation of the turnout remains secure. Focusing on these subtle details at the barre will significantly improve your stability and aesthetic when moving into more complex work like arabesque.
At Broche Ballet, we prioritize these small technical shifts that lead to long-term progress for adult dancers of all levels.
