“Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.” –Martha Graham
Introduction
Grand battements are done at the end of barre, and mark the climax of the class warm up. Basically, this step is the highest degree of the general “battement,” following the battement tendu and battement dégagé done earlier. In this case, the working leg moves the same way as it does in tendu or dégagé, but the leg continues above ninety degrees, and has more of a “throwing” motion. Some things to consider in grand battement include:
· Using a “throwing” action to initiate movement
· Avoid using the quads to lift the leg
· Avoid buckling the standing leg
· Using a “throwing” action to initiate movement
· Avoid using the quads to lift the leg
· Avoid buckling the standing leg
Lifting Your Leg in Grand Battement
Like most things in ballet, you should use the backs of your legs and inner thighs to lift your leg in grand battement. The ballet aesthetic prefers women to have lean thighs with the quads undeveloped, so it is important to use your turn out, as this will help to identify the proper muscles to use during the battement. In addition, using your hamstrings and inner thighs in the supporting leg makes for a more stable foundation because the leg is supported from multiple sides, instead of just one, as would occur if you use your quads.
In addition, it is easy to use your hip flexors to lift the leg—try to avoid this! When your hip flexors are tight, it limits the maximum height that your leg can reach. Be sure to stretch out your hip flexors, especially after class when you are warm! Check out the links below for stretching exercises!
Don’t forget that your grand battement is an extension of your tendu and dégagé. As you go into grand battement, and as you lower your leg (with control!) be sure to pass through your tendu and dégagé.
In addition, it is easy to use your hip flexors to lift the leg—try to avoid this! When your hip flexors are tight, it limits the maximum height that your leg can reach. Be sure to stretch out your hip flexors, especially after class when you are warm! Check out the links below for stretching exercises!
Don’t forget that your grand battement is an extension of your tendu and dégagé. As you go into grand battement, and as you lower your leg (with control!) be sure to pass through your tendu and dégagé.
Put the "Battement" in Grand Battement
The full name for grand battement is “grand battement jeté.” “Jeté” means “to throw,” which points to the “throwing” motion that you want to use to approach the battement. Instead of trying to grip your leg and lift it upwards, picking up dead weight, think of pushing the leg down into the floor, and following a circle down and then up, towards your head, as in the picture below. “Toss” the leg away from you, getting the feeling that you do when you swing your arm in circles. This will give your grand battements height as well as the lightness of a ballerina.
Be sure that when you throw your leg up, you keep driving your standing leg into the ground. It is important to keep our knees straight, your turn out held, and your upper body placed over your hips. Do not sacrifice your placement and supporting leg for height—it is always preferable to have a lower leg but with proper placement and alignment.
Be sure that when you throw your leg up, you keep driving your standing leg into the ground. It is important to keep our knees straight, your turn out held, and your upper body placed over your hips. Do not sacrifice your placement and supporting leg for height—it is always preferable to have a lower leg but with proper placement and alignment.