From the White Board: Ballet in Motion

Ballonné Battu

Ballonné battu dessous (under) is a beaten jump. Whenever performing ballonné battu, the crossing or beating of the legs (thighs) 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.

Ballonné battu dessous (under) is similar to assemblé battu dessous (under) as the beginning of the jump is the same. The end of the jump is different because you land in cou-de-pied.

• When performing ballonné battu dessous (under), brush the front leg à la seconde for the ballonné and beat front from where you began to then beat back to finish the jump cou-de-pied derrière. The leg that began front finishes cou-de-pied derrière.
• When performing ballonné battu dessus (over), brush the back leg à la seconde for the ballonné and beat back from where you began to then beat back to finish the jump cou-de-pied devant. The leg that began back finishes cou-de-pied devant.

Ballonné battu can also be performed devant and derrière.

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.