What You'll Learn
- How to align the back knee behind the hip in fourth position plié
- The concept of 'double attitude' for generating turning power
- How to maintain 'arabesque' energy in the back leg during preparation
- Techniques to prevent falling off-center during the initiation of a pirouette
- Tips for creating a more vertical and stable turning axis
About This Video
Pirouettes are one of the most iconic yet challenging movements in ballet, requiring a delicate balance of strength, timing, and precise alignment. Many dancers find themselves struggling with consistency, often blaming their spotting or their arm placement for a failed turn. However, at Broche Ballet, we believe the secret to a successful turn often lies in the preparation. In this quick tip, we dive deep into the mechanics of the fourth position preparation and why your back knee is the secret ingredient to more powerful, controlled rotations.
When preparing for a pirouette in fourth position, alignment is everything. A common mistake is allowing the back knee to sit directly under the hip or, worse, collapse inward. This lesson explains how to treat the back leg with 'arabesque' energy while the front leg remains in 'devant.' By maintaining this opposition, you create a stable base that prevents your weight from falling too far back behind your center.
The core of this technique involves what we call 'double attitude.' As you descend into your plié, you must actively push your back knee behind your hip. This action creates a spring-like tension in the muscles, providing the necessary torque to initiate the turn without swinging your body out of alignment. When you finally push off the floor to begin the pirouette, focusing on pushing that back knee even further behind the hip ensures that your hips remain square and your center of gravity stays directly over your supporting leg.
By implementing this small adjustment, you will find that your turns feel less like a struggle and more like a controlled ascent. Whether you are working on a clean single or aiming for a triple, mastering the relationship between your hip and back knee in the fourth position plié is essential for any advancing dancer.
