Ballet Technique Barre: Mastering Lower Leg Turnout and the Presented Heel

Unlock the secrets of professional-level turnout with this specialized technique barre from Broche Ballet. While many dancers focus solely on the rotation of the hip, true "presenting of the heel" requires a sophisticated understanding of how the lower leg—specifically the calf—interacts with the rest of the kinetic chain. In this 42-minute class, we delve into the advanced concept of calf spiraling, a technique that allows you to maintain and even enhance your turnout during challenging movements like fondu and développé.

The lesson begins with a focused port de bras through first position, setting the stage for a series of fondu exercises. Here, the instructor emphasizes the dual action of the leg: feeling the knees pressing back while the calves rotate forward. This spiraling action is what creates that sought-after look of a fully rotated leg. By learning to detach the sensation of the calf from the rest of the leg, you gain a sense of magic in your movement, allowing for more fluid and technically sound transitions. This is especially vital when moving through positions such as sur le cou-de-pied, where the rotation must be active and constant.

As we progress into développé and doublé patterns, the focus shifts to the presented heel. You will learn how to use the lower leg to drive the foot out, ensuring the calf remains forward throughout the extension. If the calf drops, the turnout is lost—this class teaches you how to prevent that common technical pitfall. We explore the use of the hand as a tactile guide to feel the rotation of the bottom part of the leg driving the movement. This practice is designed to help you understand your unique anatomy and experiment with how your body moves. By the end of the session, you will have a clearer mental and physical map of how to maintain rotation from the hip all the way through the toes, perfecting your classical line.