Arts >> Dance >> Ballet

How to Make a Ballet Circle With Your Foot

In ballet, making a circle with the foot on the floor is called a rond de jambe à terre. Ronds de jambe are one of the basic barre exercises that usually start a ballet class and form a foundation for the techniques that are used in ballet dancing. Ronds de jambe can also be done en l'air, which means "with the leg lifted," and can be done sauté or relevé (while jumping or on the toe) as dance steps. Rond de jambe à terre helps dance students practice keeping their leg turned out from the hip.

Things You'll Need

  • Ballet barre or something sturdy to hold
  • Smooth floor
Show More

Instructions

  1. Rond de Jambe en Dehors

    • 1

      Face the barre with both hands resting lightly on it and your feet in first position, with your heels together and toes pointed out.

    • 2

      Bring your right heel straight forward and point your toe with your heel turned out and your leg straight, so that your little toe is resting lightly on the floor and your heel is turned toward the ceiling.

    • 3

      Rotate your leg to the side, drawing a large quarter-circle on the floor with your toe, until your right foot is pointing straight to the side. Keep your heel forward and your leg straight.

    • 4

      Rotate your leg around to the back, completing a half-circle, until your foot is pointing straight back with the inside of your big toe on the floor and your heel turned toward the floor. Continue to keep your heel forward and your leg straight.

    • 5

      Pull your heel forward and relax your instep so that your heels come together and you are standing in first position once more.

    Rond de Jambe en Dedans

    • 6

      Point your foot straight back with your leg straight and turned out so that the inside of your big toe is resting lightly on the floor and your heel is turned toward the floor.

    • 7

      Rotate your leg forward and draw a large quarter-circle on the floor with your toe until your toe is pointing straight out to the side. Keep your heel forward and your leg straight.

    • 8

      Rotate your leg forward, completing a half-circle, until your foot is pointing straight forward with your little toe on the floor and your heel turned toward the ceiling. Continue to keep your heel forward and your leg straight.

    • 9

      Draw your toes back and relax your instep so that your heels come together and you are standing in first position once more.

+:
+:

Ballet

Related Categories