What You'll Learn
- How to use the toes to 'flick' the floor for faster, sharper dégagés.
- Techniques to maintain femur rotation throughout the stretching phase of a plié.
- Using floor friction and downward force to create height in grand battement.
- Articulation through the demi-pointe to prepare for petit allegro and frappé.
- Monitoring rotation and heel placement using flexed-foot rond de jambe exercises.
About This Video
Refining your ballet technique requires a deep understanding of the relationship between your body and the floor. In this 46-minute Technique Barre session at Broche Ballet, we explore how proper foot articulation and turnout mechanics create the effortless look professional dancers achieve. Our focus today centers on the 'toe flick'—a technique that treats the toes like a skipping rock to initiate movements like dégagé and grand battement. By mastering this 'flick' off the floor, you reduce reliance on the hip flexors, leading to cleaner transitions and more efficient energy use.
We begin with demi-plié and grand plié, where the focus is on the active rotation of the femur head within the hip socket. As you rise from a plié, the challenge is to keep the quads pressing back, ensuring the heels drive forward and the turnout is maintained from the top of the hip. We then move into tendu and dégagé, applying downward friction against the floor. This downward force is the secret to achieving height; by pushing into the floor during the initial brush, the leg naturally rebounds upward with lightness and grace.
One unique aspect of this class is the use of the flexed foot during rond de jambe and coup-de-pied exercises. This tactile feedback helps you monitor your rotation and ensures your heel leads the movement. We also break down the fondu and frappé, emphasizing a skimming motion through the demi-pointe. This specific articulation is vital for building the power required for petit allegro steps like jeté. Throughout the session, we maintain a focus on upper body placement and hip alignment. Whether you are finding your balance in a retiré or pulling into a tight sous-sus, these technical drills are designed to build a more articulated, strong, and stable foundation. Join Broche Ballet for this deep dive into the mechanics of movement and take your barre work to the next level.
