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How to Perform a Grand Battement en Cloche in Neoclassical Ballet

Grand battement en cloche may sound technical and impossible to do, but don't let the classical ballet terminology intimidate you. Grand battement is a controlled high kick and en cloche is referring to the shape of a bell. Put all together it's a high kick swinging back and forth like a bell.

Instructions

    • 1

      Hold on to a bar, table top or something sturdy and stand in first position. First position is your legs together with your heels together and toes pointed out.

    • 2

      Raise your free arm to the second position out to the side. Your arm will be rounded and your elbow lifted.

    • 3

      Swing your outside foot in a controlled kick out in front of you. Lift your leg as high as you can without moving the upper body. Keep your toe pointed and leg turned out.

    • 4

      Control the leg down back through first position and back behind you. The basic movements are grand battement to the front and grand battement to the back. This is a fluid movement from front to back. The upper body is held still as the leg swings from front to back.

    • 5

      Turn around and repeat Steps 1 through 4 with the other leg.

Ballet

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