Ballet

Ballet Feet Positioning

Ballet is a very pretty form of dancing.  It is considered as one of the most sophisticated kind, but is not an easy form to consider obviously for the fact that it involves a number of footwork, mostly are highly difficult to execute.  

Well, don’t you know that ballerinas have ugly feet?  Yes, that’s true and that’s their primary secret, hidden under their satin shoes.  Ballet is no doubt beautiful, but to some point, it’s brutal.

In ballet dancing, the brutality happens when the dancers perform a series of pirouettes and pointe work.  The feet are the most affected part, and unfortunate as it may seem, dancers of ballet are no exception to that.  They are encouraged, if not forced, to learn the basic ballet feet positioning and later on the most exciting but difficult part of the training, the en pointe.

Speaking of the basic ballet feet positioning, it is very necessary to note in the first place that there are a number of positions that each and every ballet dancer is entitled to note and understand.  The standard for ballet feet positioning actually involves five main positions to consider.  Each is presented in French terms, perhaps for the reason that ballet was first introduced in France by King Louis XIV.  Well, let’s take a look at these standards for ballet feet positioning.

Premiere or First Ballet Feet Position

In premiere, the feet of the dancer are positioned in a V-shape.  But to start doing it, you need to position your heels and knees together, with your legs turned out from the hips.  The toes should be pointed out and it is this position that allows our feet to forma V-shape.    In this ballet feet position, it is normal for your feet to form a straight line, or perhaps a 180-degree angle.   But, you arms should be out and placed in front of your torso to form a soft curve.  Straight your spine and align your back, head and pelvis.

Second or Second Ballet Feet Position

It is important to note that when performing this ballet feet position, the legs are still turned out from the hips.  However, the feet must be separated for about shoulder length apart, still in a V-shape.  By doing this, you will just notice eventually that your feet may form a straight line, but the arms must be positioned out to the sides and slightly rounded.

Troisieme or Third Ballet Feet Position

In this position, the legs are still turned out from the hips.  However, the front heel will be crossed for about halfway in front of the other foot.  It is important to touch the foot at the middle to perfect this position.   You can use either of your foot, but if it is the right foot which is placed in front, your right arm must be raised overhead in a semicircle.  The left arm, on the other hand, must be extended out to the side.

Quatrieme or Fourth Ballet Feet Position

In this position, the legs are still turned out from the hips.  One foot is placed directly in front of the other, with the heel forwarded directly in front of the toe of the other foot.  A distance of about 12 inches must be maintained between the feet.

Cinquieme or Fifth Ballet Feet Position

This is the final ballet feet position to consider.  The legs here are still turned out from the hips, but the front of the foot is placed against the first joint of the other big toe.  This feet position must be performed with the arms lifted and extended overhead, forming a circular shape.

It is important to note all of these basic ballet feet positioning as all of the steps and techniques performed in ballet highly depend on these basics.