Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 2/7/2008

Question
I would like to know how to break down the steps and teach the steps of a foutte of adage.

Answer
Hi Cherlin. If you've read any of my articles at http://www.theballetstore.com you'll see a lot of movement analysis.

In breaking down the fouette in adage, emphasize the en dehors (turning away from the working leg) movement of the supporting leg, turning out to change the position of the foot on the floor, and the rest of the body following into the next position.

En dedans, turning toward the supporting leg, the supporting leg again leads the change, and the working side adjusts to the next position.

The assumption is that that each position, front, side and back, is already strong and stable. For example, if your students can do a developpe en croix, and lift the heel and lower easily, in each fully extended position, that is the first movement to starting the fouette - an easy tranfer of weight to move the leg and body.

You can also analyse the movement for your students with the leg in tendu position, or just off the floor, until they get a smooth transition of the supporting leg/torso muscles, for correct hip placement.

A class exercise could be: developpe or slow leg raise to whichever height is appropriate for the level, devant, slow fouette, one quarter turn, to a la seconde, and close. Developpe or  slow leg raise to a la seconde, and slow fouette one quarter turn, to arabesque, and close. You can now turn back the same way, using the same leg, developpe arabesque and fouette en dedans to a la seconde, and then from al la seconde to devant, or you could change legs and keep going the same way, with a developpe to arabesque and quarter turn toward the leg to a la seconde, and again, developpe a la seconde and one quarter turn to devant, you are now facing front again.

You can also start this movement at the barre, putting the change to the other side into the exercise, by tendu derriere, of the inside leg, fouette en dedans to face the barre, and fouette again to face the other side and close, and you are ready to start the exercise on the second side. (you can stop to shake the legs out and stretch a little, or just keep going, depending on the length of the exercise.)

I hope this helps, Dianne.