What You'll Learn
- How to correctly align your hips to avoid pushing off to the side.
- Techniques for driving the glute forward to support the standing leg.
- Strategies for closing into fifth position without dropping the hip.
- How to maintain core stability and shoulder alignment when closing to the back.
About This Video
The dégagé à la seconde is a fundamental ballet movement that acts as a litmus test for a dancer’s overall technique. At Broche Ballet, we believe that mastering the "simple" steps is the key to unlocking advanced repertoire. In this Step by Step tutorial, we dive deep into the technical details and common troubleshooting areas of the dégagé side, focusing on alignment, stability, and turnout.
A common pitfall many dancers face is allowing the hip to push out to the side during the extension. This not only breaks the vertical line of the body but also compromises balance. Instead, you will learn how to drive the hip forward onto the foot, engaging the glutes to support the standing leg.
By thinking of the hip moving up and under, you create a solid foundation that allows the working leg to move freely without distorting your posture. The tutorial also addresses the complexities of closing the dégagé into third or fifth position. Maintaining stability as the leg returns to the floor requires significant core engagement.
We specifically look at closing to the back, where dancers often struggle with the hip dropping or the torso twisting. You will learn how to keep the hip forward and the opposite shoulder back, ensuring the leg crosses behind you with precision and grace. Refining these subtle details at the barre translates directly to better balance and stronger turnout in center work.
Whether you are looking to improve your standing leg stability or preparing for more complex combinations, this focused breakdown provides the tools you need to elevate your practice. Join Broche Ballet as we deconstruct the dégagé à la seconde to help you achieve a more professional and technically sound aesthetic.
