From the White Board: Ballet in Motion

Royale

Royale is a beaten jump. Whenever performing royale, 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.

When performing royale, think of performing a beaten changement de pieds. When jumping upward 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.

To perform royale:

• Begin in 5th position with the right leg front.
• Demi-plié in 5th position and jump upward.
• While jumping upward from 5th position, immediately open the legs to a small 1st position, then cross (beat) the legs from where they began (right leg crossing front) to then change the legs to cross the other leg (left leg) front on the “up” of the jump. The legs pass through a very small and fast 1st position when crossing to sous-sus after the beat in the “up” of the jump.
• When landing the royale 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.