26 Ballet Moves for Dancers of All Skill Levels

Ballet, which originated in Italy, is an approximately 500-year-old art form that relies on highly stylized and graceful movements. Though ballet dancers are trained to look delicate, the dance requires strength, balance, technical skill, and flexibility. Traditionally, ballerinas perform en pointe, or on the points of their tiptoes.

Many of these moves require pointe shoes, but dancers can also execute them flat-footed. New ballet dancers should also become well-versed in basic ballet positions and fundamental terms.

1. 1. À la seconde: Meaning “to the second,” this ballet move refers to the placement of the foot in second position or moving one’s body to second position in the air. This may be combined with other moves, such as plié à la seconde or grand battement à la seconde.
2. 2. Arabesque: A pose in which the dancer is supported on one leg, either straight or demi-plié (slight bend in the knee), while the other leg is extended straight behind and at a right angle. The shoulders are square and the arms are held in various positions to create a long line from fingertips to toes. This can be done either flat-footed or en pointe.
3. 3. Changement: The changing of the foot position mid-jump en l'air, or "in the air."
4. 4. Écarté: “Separated.” A position in which the dancer faces one of the two front corners of the room. The leg nearer the audience is pointed or raised to the second position in the air. The arm on the same side as the extended leg is raised, with the head turned up toward it and looking into the palm of the hand, while the other arm is in a demi-second position.
5. 5. Échappé: "Escaped." When the feet move from a closed position (first, third, or fifth position) to an opening position (second or fourth position).
6. 6. Elevé. “Elevated.” Rising up on the balls of the foot (demi-pointe) or en pointe; a relevé without a demi-plié
7. 7. En seconde: “In second.” A movement in the second position.
8. 8. Fondu: “Sinking down.” A one-legged version of a plié. Resting one arm at the barre, the dancer stands/bends the supporting leg while extending the working leg.
9. 9. Grand battement: Lifting one leg in the air from the hip, with the knee straight and standing leg straight, and bringing the working leg down again without bending the knee.
10. 10. Grand jeté: “Large throw.” A high jump in which the legs are extended to ninety degrees. It is preceded by a preliminary movement, like a glissade (a gliding step).
11. 11. Pas de cheval: The leg extends from first position to fifth position, then to a cou-de-pied, an auxiliary position for the working foot. The step ends with the foot pointing to a tendu.
12. 12. Pas de deux: A dance for two, or duet, in classical ballet.
13. 13. Penché/penchée: Leaning or inclining, as in arabesque penchée, in which the dancer’s body leans far forward, with the forward arm and head low and the foot of the raised leg behind high in the air.
14. 14. Petit saut: A small jump.
15. 15. Piqué en arabesque: A movement in which the right foot is in front in fifth position, then the dancer demi- pliés and dégagés the right leg to step onto the point of the right foot, extending the left leg in arabesque.
16. 16. Piqué turn: A pirouette where the dancer steps onto pointe or demi-pointe and raises the other leg in any position. Also known as piqué tour.
17. 17. Pirouette: A complete turn of the body on one foot, either turning inward or outward, with the body centered over the supporting leg. The arms are propelling the turn but remain stationary during the turn, and the eyes are “spotting” a fixed point while the head quickly turns.
18. 18. Plié: Pronounced "plee-ay." Bending the knees in either a grand plié (full bending of the knees) or a demi-plié (half bending of the knees), with the legs turned out from the hips and the knees open and over the toes.
19. 19. Port de bras: The passage of the arms from one position to another.
20. 20. Relevé: A movement in which the dancer starts in a demi-plié and then rises up to pointe or demi-pointe, on one foot or both feet. Each ballet method/school of thought uses a different technique to bring the dancer to this raised position.
21. 21. Renversé: The bending of the body during a turn, such as a pirouette, which shifts the dancer’s normal balance but not their equilibrium. The body bends from the waist, sideways and backward, with the head following the movement of the body.
22. 22. Rond de jambe: A circular movement of the leg, either clockwise or counterclockwise and with the working leg either in the air or with a foot touching the floor.
23. 23. Sauté: "Jump." Any step in which a jump is executed.
24. 24. Temps lié: “Connected movement.” A combination of steps and arm placement based on the fourth, fifth, and second positions. It prepares the dancer to maintain balance and control while shifting their weight from one position to another.
25. 25. Tendu: “Stretched,” as in battement tendu. One foot slides across the floor with the toes not lifting from the floor, both legs are straight, and then the extended leg returns to the position from which it was extended.
26. 26. Variation: A solo in classical ballet.

Practice ballet with Misty Copeland, the principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre. Get the MasterClass Annual Membership and learn how to put individual barre techniques together to create powerful performances and introduce artistry to your choreography.