What You'll Learn
- The precise sequence of executing a tombé from tendu and fondu positions
- How to maintain core stability and proper shoulder alignment during weight shifts
- Techniques for sliding through the floor to achieve a fluid temps lié
- Strategies for transitioning weight smoothly between legs while maintaining turnout
- Correcting common errors in balance and knee placement during falling movements
About This Video
The tombé, or 'falling' movement, is a critical transitional step in ballet that requires a delicate balance of control and momentum. In this 24-minute technique barre from Broche Ballet, we dive deep into the mechanics of the tombé and how it serves as the foundation for rotating steps and fluid center combinations. While the tombé may appear simple, executing it with the correct alignment and turnout is essential for preventing injury and ensuring a graceful transition between poses like arabesque and tendu.
Throughout this session, our instructor guides you through a series of exercises specifically designed to strengthen the supporting leg and core. We begin by reviewing the fundamental mechanics of the weight shift, emphasizing the importance of a deep plié and a strong fondu to cushion the movement. You will practice sliding forward and back while maintaining your vertical axis, learning how to 'fall' onto a bent leg without losing your turnout or collapsing your posture. The lesson breaks down the sequence into manageable components: starting from a sharp tendu, sliding through the floor, and arriving in a stable tombé with a controlled stretch to finish.
Key focuses include maintaining a neutral pelvis, keeping the shoulders back, and ensuring the knee tracks over the toes during the descent. We also explore the connection between the tombé and the temps lié, helping you understand how to transfer weight smoothly across the floor. By practicing these movements at the barre first, you build the muscle memory needed to execute them with confidence in the center without the need for constant counting or external support. This class is an excellent resource for dancers looking to improve their balance, refine their form, and achieve that effortless quality of movement that characterizes professional ballet technique. Consistent practice of these weight-shifting drills will lead to more dynamic across-the-floor combinations and more stable rotations.
