Mastering the eight fundamental positions is essential for any ballet dancer. This guide to eight ballet eight positions will walk you through each of the eight positions of the ballet eight positions, explaining their various positions, key features, and importance in ballet.
Graceful Insights
- The eight ballet positions—such as Croisé Devant and Quatrième Derrière—are fundamental for developing grace and technical skills.
- Each position emphasizes different body alignments, strengthening techniques, and aesthetics vital for ballet performance.
- These positions build the control, strength, and precision necessary for executing complex ballet movements.
| Position Number | Name (French) | Translation | Description | Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Croisé Devant | Crossed in Front | The dancer faces one of the front corners of the stage, with the leg closest to the audience extended to the front in a tendu. The body is angled slightly forward, the arms are in the fourth position (opposite arm to leg extended forward), and the head is turned toward the front foot. | – Body appears “crossed” from the audience’s perspective – Front leg extended – Arms in opposition |
| 2 | À la Quatrième Devant | To the Fourth Front | The dancer faces directly forward and extends the working leg to the front in tendu. The arms are held in the second position, and the head faces forward. | – Leg extended directly to the front – Arms in second position – Upright posture |
| 3 | Écarté Devant | Spread Front | The dancer faces one of the corners, extending the working leg to the side (à la seconde) closest to the audience. The torso tilts slightly away from the extended leg, the arms are in the third position (same arm as the leg up), and the head is raised, gazing at the lifted hand. | – Leg extended to the side – Body tilted away – Same arm as leg raised |
| 4 | Effacé Devant | Shaded Front | Faced with a front corner, the dancer extends the leg from the audience to the front in tendu. The body leans slightly back, the arms are in the fourth position (the same arm as the extended leg forward), and the head turns slightly away from the audience. | – Open (uncrossed) position – Front leg extended – Slight backward inclination |
| 5 | À la Seconde | To the Second | The dancer faces directly forward, with the working leg extended directly to the side in tendu. The arms are held in the second position, and the head can face forward or turn toward the extended leg. | – Leg extended to the side – Arms in second position – Even weight distribution |
| 6 | Épaulé | Shouldered | Facing a corner, the dancer extends the leg closest to the audience to the back in tendu. The shoulders twist so the back shoulder comes forward, the arms are in an arabesque position (front arm extended), and the head inclines over the front shoulder, eyes looking over the front arm. | – Shoulders twisted – Back leg extended – Arms in arabesque |
| 7 | À la Quatrième Derrière | To the Fourth Back | The dancer faces directly forward and extends the working leg to the back in tendu. The arms are in second position, and the head faces forward. | – Leg extended directly back – Arms in second position – Upright posture |
| 8 | Croisé Derrière | Crossed in Back | The dancer faces the front corner with the leg furthest from the audience extended to the back in tendu. The body leans slightly forward, the arms are in the fourth position (opposite arm forward to extended leg), and the head turns toward the front arm. | – Body appears “crossed” – Back leg extended – Arms in opposition |
Croisé Devant
In Croisé à la Devant, the dancer faces a corner, creating an oblique angle with the head facing the audience, with the right leg extending to the front, partially hidden from view, producing an oblique angle and a visually striking effect.
Known for its crossed alignment, the worker’s right leg extends to the front, partially hidden from view, producing an oblique angle and a visually striking effect. ‘crois’ à la buté’ means ‘crossed alignment,’ emphasizing this position’s distinctive body orientation.
The arms in Croisé Devant are in the fourth position, with the lower arm aligned with the extended leg’s same side, enhancing the overall aesthetic and creating a harmonious line from fingers on the other leg and lower arm to toes on the same side. The head turns slightly towards the highest and lower arm side, adding elegance and poise.
Achieving a perfect Croisé Devant needs practice and attention to detail. This position, crucial for its grace and refinement, sets the stage for more complex ballet positions and transitions in ballet routines.
Quatrième Devant
Quatrième Devant features the working leg with an extended leg, forward in the fourth position, while the other with an extended leg is crossed alignment, facing the audience and emphasizing balance and symmetry. The dancer maintains a straight posture with arms in the second position, enhancing visual harmony.
In Quatrième Devant, the left leg can be on the ground (à terre) or raised (en l’air), showcasing strength and control of body parts. Core muscles provide stability, while the head and body align with the legs, body, and spine positions, promoting an elegant and body-confident look.
This position is essential for developing balance and alignment when extending the leg forward. The second position often adds fluidity and dynamism to ballet sequences. Practicing Quatrième à la Devant builds the legs with the strength and precision needed for advanced techniques.
Effacé Devant
In French, Effacé Devant, meaning ‘shaded,’ contrasts Croisé Devant with its open stance and diagonal orientation. The working leg extends in the fourth position to the front, not directly facing the audience, creating movement and flow. This diagonal alignment partially hides the body, adding depth and intrigue.
The arms in Effacé Devant are in the fourth position, enhancing the visual line of the body and complementing the extended right leg with its extension. This open stance, often used in choreography, conveys openness and fluidity of body parts, making it ideal for dynamic and expressive movements.
Effacé Devant is a beautiful and expressive position requiring a balance between openness and control. It showcases the elegance and fluidity of ballet, making it essential for any dancer to master.
à la Seconde
À la Seconde involves extending the foot to the side at a 90-degree angle, creating a wide stance that enhances the dancer’s profile. It showcases leg strength and control, with the body aligned with the head facing the audience.
The arms are held in the second position, complementing the body positions. The dancer stands in a wide stance, creating a balanced visual effect. The head is facing forward, maintaining a strong presence and emphasizing the dancer’s confidence and poise.
This position is essential in ballet positions for developing strength and balance and executing various ballet movements. Practicing à la Seconde builds the control and precision needed for complex routines, making it foundational in ballet training.
Croisé Derrière
In Croisé à la Derrière, the dancer faces a corner and extends the working leg to the back, creating a crossed appearance from the same side as the other working leg and the fourth position from the audience’s perspective. This position emphasizes maintaining alignment and balance while extending the working leg backward, showcasing strength and control.
The arms and raised arm complement the extended leg that’s extension, enhancing the overall aesthetic. The head turns slightly towards the highest arm and raised arm, adding elegance and poise. This position and raised arm convey grace and refinement, setting the stage for complex movements and transitions.
Croisé Derrière requires practice and attention to detail to achieve the desired effect. Mastering this position builds the strength and precision needed for advanced ballet techniques.
Écarté
Écarté, meaning ‘thrown wide’ in French, involves facing a corner and extending the working leg to the side, creating a dramatic visual effect. Characterized by flexibility, the working leg can be thrown wide, straight, or bent, depending on the choreography.
The arms are held in the fourth position, enhancing the body’s line and adding to the dramatic effect. The head turns towards the highest arm, maintaining a strong presence on the face and body positions, emphasizing confidence and poise.
Écarté is versatile, allowing dancers to showcase flexibility and control, making it essential for any ballet routine. This position builds the strength and precision needed for complex movements and transitions.
Épaulé
Épaulé involves positioning the working leg towards the back in the fourth position while one arm extends forward in the face, enhancing the visual aspect. This position emphasizes creating a strong visual connection through head positioning en face and body positions en face. The head turns towards the front and faces part of the audience, adding drama and building engagement and presence.
The arms and legs complement the body’s line, enhancing the aesthetic. This position often conveys drama and intensity in ballet routines, making it essential for dancers to master.
Practicing Épaulé builds the strength and precision needed for complex movements and transitions. It showcases the elegance and fluidity of ballet, making it foundational in ballet training.
Quatrième Derrière
In Quatrième Derrière, the dancer faces the same side as the head facing the audience, extending the working leg backward into the fourth position. This highlights the dancer’s ability to maintain balance and alignment while showcasing strength and control.
The arms are held in the second position, promoting balance and aesthetics while enhancing the dancer’s line and body positions. The head aligns with the body in the second position, with the gaze directed forward, adding poise and confidence.
Quatrième Derrière is essential for developing strength and control in backward leg extensions. Often used in various ballet sequences, it adds fluidity and dynamism. Practicing this position builds the strength and precision needed for advanced techniques.
Resume
Mastering the eight fundamental ballet positions is essential for any dancer looking to excel in this elegant art form. Each position, from Croisé Devant to Quatrième Derrière, requires a delicate balance of strength, control, and grace. Understanding these eight ballet positions will enhance your ballet routine and bring a new depth to your performances.
As you practice and refine these eight ballet positions, remember that ballet is as much about discipline as it is about expression. Keep pushing your boundaries, and let the beauty of ballet inspire you to reach new heights in your dance journey.
