Teaching Degagé
Tips for Teaching Degagé to Beginning Ballet Students
Most often done during the barre portion of class, degagé is so important for jumps in ballet. It helps to develop the feet and legs for quick footwork, brushing in a turned out position when entering the air, and really pointing the feet and stretching the legs while in the air. In today's post, we cover some tips for getting your beginning ballet students brushing the right way right away!
To help students work through their feet correctly, use the word “slide” out and “slide” in for degagé (just like in tendu).
If telling your students to “straighten” their knees does not obtain results, try telling them to “stretch their legs long” or to “keep their knees stiff”. Sometimes using different language will click better with certain students.
Place your hand or a prop just in front of your students' toes to give them something tangible to reach toward. (But be sure they keep proper alignment in their pelvis/hips!)
To help with the brushing motion of the feet and lengthening of the legs in degagé front or back, place a ball in front or behind the student's working foot and have them brush to kick the ball. You can have them brush slowly and smoothly or very quickly and sharply for a contrast in dynamics. Be sure to place the ball so that the student will be brushing front or back directly in front or behind (and not opening to the side at all).
Happy Dancing!
Ashley Hartford
Founder + Owner, Once Upon a Ballet
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