From the White Board: Ballet in Motion

Changement De Pieds

When performing changement de pieds you change the legs in the air to land with the other leg in front. Meaning, if you begin with the right leg front, the left leg will finish front.

When jumping upward from 5th position, immediately work to cross the back leg in front on the “up” of the jump. The legs pass through a quick and small 1st position when crossing to sous-sus in the “up” of the jump. When jumping upward work to cross the thighs to show a “sous-sus” in the air.

To perform changement de pieds:

• Begin in 5th position with the right leg front.
• Demi-plié in 5th position and jump upward.
• While jumping up, immediately cross the left thigh in front of the right thigh by passing through a small 1st position in the air.
• When landing the changement de pieds be sure to land in a demi-plié.

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.