Mastering ballet takes great technique and consistent practice. With the right instructions, you can learn ballet dance steps at home. Whether you plan to dance in private or use the steps in a formal class setting, all you need is discipline and a bit of inspiration to learn and perfect them.
Common Ballet Dance Steps
Some of the most common ballet steps, the ones that you would learn in the first five years of classical ballet training, are the following movements, steps, turns, and jumps:
Arabesque
An arabesque is an extension of the dancer's leg off the floor to the back of the body.
Assemblé
An assemblé begins in fifth position. It is a jump in which the front leg extends out to the side and up off the floor while the supporting leg hops. The extended leg then lands behind the supporting leg in fifth position.
Attitude
Attitude is a pose in which the dancer's leg is lifted and extended to the front or back of the body, knee turned out to the side.
Balancé
The balance is also known as the "waltz." It is a three-step combination in which the dancer steps to the side with one foot, lifts onto the ball of the second foot from behind the ankle, then replaces weight on the ball of the first foot to begin again on the other side.
Battement
Battement is when the dancer's lifted leg is extended away from the supporting leg. There are a variety of types. A few are included here.
- A petite battement involves small movements, or kicks from one side of the ankle to the other.
- In a grand battement, the legs stays completely straight. It lifts to a higher level and moves at a slower pace.
- In a developpe, the knee bends first during the lift, then extends to straight.
Brisé
A brisé is similar to an assemblé in that one foot extends up and out before the jump. There are three main differences.
- The back foot extends and lifts.
- The brisé is a lateral movement, traveling right or left.
- The feet do not switch positions, but rather return to their starting positions upon landing.
Cabriolé
A cabriolé is a jump in which your legs meet in the front or in the back. One leg is extended first, and the other is lifted to meet it quickly before landing on the supporting leg.
Changement
Changement means "change." The dancer begins in fifth position. He or she jumps and switches which foot is in front before landing again in fifth position.
Chassé
The chassé is a small moving jump in which the feet tap together in the air. Each jump lands in fourth position.
Ciseaux
The ciseaux is a split leap with one leg in the front of the body and one in the back.
Coupé
The coupé is a pose in which one foot is pointed behind the ankle of the other leg. You can practice rising up to relevé from coupé.
Echappé
In echappé, the dancer separates his or her legs and lifts onto the toes. It begins and ends in fifth position.
Emboité
In emboité, the supporting leg is on point while the other is externally rotated. In the rotated leg, the dancer's toes point to the inside edge of his or her thigh, just above the knee of the supporting leg.
Glissade
Glissade is a movement in which the dancer slides along the floor, extending one foot out to the side from fifth position, releasing it to the floor, then gliding the other back into fifth position.
Jeté
A jeté is a quick extension and lift of one leg to the front, back, or side. In this move, the leg should be completely straight.
Pas de Basque
Pas de basque is a more advanced set of movements that literally translates to "step of the Basques," part of the national dance of the Basques in Southern France. This tutorial breaks it down.
Pas de Bourrée
A pas de bourrée is a three step lateral movement, dancing on the toes. To begin, lift the back foot into coupé.
Pas de Chat
Pas de chat is a leap in which the knees are bent and the toes lift toward the center of the groin. It begins through a coupé so that one foot lifts and lands before the other.
Pas de Cheval
Pas de cheval is a quick lift and extension of the leg from coupé.
Passé
A passé is the movement of foot up the supporting leg and replacement behind it. You can begin learning how to do a passe from retire.
Penché
A penché looks like an arabesque. However, there are a few differences.
- Your hips are turned out.
- Your lifted leg extends high, toes pointed toward the ceiling.
- Your torso lowers toward the floor.
Petit Jeté
A petite jete is a jump switch from coupé.
Pirouette
A pirouette is simply a turn. The simplest way to start practicing is by beginning in fourth position.
Plié
To perform a plié, you bend your knees, or squat. This can be done with any basic foot position.
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A demi-plié is a small movement. You lower just a bit before returning to the starting position.
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The grand plié is a larger movement in which you lower down completely then return to the starting position.
Port de Bras
Port de bras are arm positions that create a poised and stylized look in the dancer's upper body. They also help with balance and core engagement. There are three basic positions.
- In first position, your hands are in front of your body.
- In second position, hands are out to the sides.
- In fifth position, your hands are above your head.
In each position, the elbows, wrists, and fingertips are slightly bent.
Relevé
A relevé is simply lifting your heels up so that you are on your toes. It can be performed in any position, on one or two feet.
Rond de Jambe
In a ron de jambe, the dancer draws a circle from the front of his or her body to the back, toes pointed, leg long. This can be performed with the toes tracing along the floor or the foot lifted to any height.
Sissonne
A sissonne is a jump which begins with both feet leaving the floor simultaneously. One leg extends out and up, while the other moves to land. The feet then quickly come back together.
Soubresaut
A soubresaut is a jump beginning in fifth position. The dancer jumps straight up and lands in the same position. Beginners can practice in third position.
Sous-sus
Sous-sus are releves in which you bring the toes of your front foot to meet the toes of your back foot as you lift up.
Tendu
A tendu is a simple point of the toe away from your body. It is the foundation of many other moves in ballet.
Resources
There are some great websites where you can find more information about ballet steps and combinations to learn on your own.
- The Ballet Hub - This site contains information on the history of ballet, along with a dictionary of terms, informative articles, a list of dance schools around the world, and a forum where you can connect with other dancers.
- The American Ballet Theatre has an online dictionary with a comprehensive collection of online sources, including complete text instruction and information on all steps, as well as pictures of poses/positions, and videos of steps that involve movement.
Practice Makes Perfect
The old saying that "practice makes perfect" is true. The more time and effort you put in, the faster you will be able to master the new ballet steps you are learning. Begin with the most basic steps then work your way up to more moves and combinations. If you find you enjoy it, consider attending a drop-in class or enroll in a dance school.
