From the White Board: Ballet in Motion

Assemblé Battu

Assemblé battu dessus (over), and assemblé dessous (under) are beaten jumps. Whenever performing assemblé battu, the crossing or beating of the legs occurs side to side and underneath you. When jumping and beating the legs, always work to cross the thighs to show “sous-sus” in the air and always perform the action of beating on the “up” of the jump.

• To perform assemblé battu dessus (over), brush the back leg à la seconde for the assemblé, sauté off of the supporting leg and beat back from where you began to then beat front to finish the jump in 5th position.
• To perform assemblé battu dessous (under), brush the front leg à la seconde for the assemblé, sauté off of the supporting leg and beat front from where you began to then beat back to finish the jump in 5th position.

It is important to use your demi-plié at the beginning and ending of all jumps, and to maintain a long lengthened torso. It is also important to avoid leaning forward or backward when jumping as it can stress the body and makes jumping difficult.