What You'll Learn
- Identify the specific toes that should maintain contact with the floor during a dégagé.
- Understand how foot alignment changes from front and side perspectives.
- Learn the role of the big toe and second toe in maintaining a clean classical line.
- Discover how proper toe placement prevents common technical errors like sickling.
About This Video
In the world of ballet, precision is everything. Even a movement as quick and sharp as a dégagé requires meticulous attention to detail to ensure proper form and safety. At Broche Ballet, we believe that understanding the fine mechanics of your movement is the key to artistic and technical growth.
In this quick tip, we dive deep into one of the most common questions for developing dancers: which part of your foot should actually touch the floor during a dégagé? When you execute a dégagé, the foot disengages from the floor, but the transition through the floor is what defines the quality and strength of the movement. As your foot brushes through the tendu position and lifts slightly, the connection with the floor remains vital until the very last moment of extension.
Ideally, you want to feel the tips of your toes making contact. Specifically, you should focus on the area directly under your big toe and second toe. This alignment ensures that your foot is properly arched and that you are not unintentionally sickling or winging the foot, which can compromise your stability and the classical line.
Depending on your personal anatomy, your third toe may also graze the floor, especially when closing the dégagé in front. However, the primary focus should remain on the first two toes to maintain a strong, centered position. From a side profile, a correct dégagé will show the tip of the big toe as the final point of contact.
If you were to observe the movement from behind, you would see the side of the big toenail touching the floor as it slides. Mastering these subtle nuances in your footwork does not just make your dancing look better; it strengthens the intrinsic muscles of the feet and prepares you for more advanced work, such as jumps and complex petit allégro combinations. By being intentional with your toe placement, you develop a more responsive and accurate foot.
Use this guide to refine your daily barre practice and elevate your overall ballet technique.
