Expert: Lisa - 12/19/2007

Question
QUESTION: Our eleven year old granddaughter has difficulty extending her legs horizontally when she leaps.  We have tried working with her by using parallel bars to get the "feel" of extending her legs when in the air.  She gets adequate elevation but can't seem to get the "feel" of the leg elevation/extension.  Do you have any suggestions we can try?

ANSWER: Hello Phillip,
Can your grand daughter do all of her splits?  If she cannot do her splits completely, she will not be able to get the extension she is looking for in the air.  Have her work on and master her splits (which, by the way, could take months. . . . be patient!!)  In addition to that, have her make sure that she is powerfully brushing the leading leg going into the leap (if we are talking about grand jete, that is).  It should begin with a brush and powerful kick to the front, and she must also think of kicking the 2nd leg as well.  The leap itself should take the shape of an arch or rainbow, with the split reaching it's peak right at the top.  Sometimes students find it helpful to think of jumping over something, such as a barrel or a basket.  And how about practicing on a trampoline?  Students can often get the hang of the required push off the ground by jumping on a trampoline and applying it to their leaps.  Have her practice her splits daily!  And there must be tremendous power and energy in the "take off".  Good luck to you and your grand daughter.  Please let me know if I can be of further help.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Lisa,
Yes she does have all three of her splits. Thanks for the insight.  This information provides us with some ideas to use to help her.  She has the power but she just hasn't gotten the feel of jumping for height rather than jumping just for distance.

Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Phil Sampley

Answer
Hi again Phil,
it's good that she has all her splits; that is certainly the first  hurdle to get over!  It is correct that the jump must go both OUT for distance and UP for height.  If she is jumping only for distance right now, have her drop that idea completely and jump ONLY for height.  (once she gets better at it, add the distance portion back in)  It may have a little to do with her age; sometimes some students need for their legs and muscular strength to develop a bit before really finding their jump.  I will often have my younger students stand in first position and hold my hand over their head, telling them to jump (off 2 feet, beginning and ending in first position. . . saute in first) and hit their head on my hand.  I raise my hand higher and higher to challenge them, and this might be a good exercise for her as well.  Also, she should start building the power for her leap right at the beginning of her preparation step. . . not wait until the leap itself.  I tell my students that the leap actually begins at the preparation, whether it be tombe, pas de bourree, or chasse, or whatever it may be.  I hope you find this helpful.  Good luck again!