Who knows how to do fouettes?

Question

I was meaning this from my last question… Keep in mind that I don't have much a background as a dancer, and I don't know a lot of dance terminology (ie: à la seconde and passé)

Answer 1

Fouette' turns are not easy ones to master, they take a lot of practice!! Many, many dancers have worked for hours and hours before they feel like they can do them.

First, make sure your pirouettes are strong! It really is the basis for your fouettes'. If your doubles and even triples are not strong and consistent it will be that much harder to do your fouettes'. SO, I always have my dancers drill their pirouettes over and over to make sure they are consistent.

Now, I make them do this exercise at the barre until their legs are cramping!! --
With one hand on the barre, lift your (R) leg to the front keeping it straight, the (L) leg is in plie <> then carry your (R) leg around to second and snap it into the passe' while lifting your (L)to releve <>

Of course always keep you rib cage in correct position, pull up tall and straight, and use your arms in the correct preparation and execution positions while you practice.

Do this exercise over and over on the right and on the left legs. It will condition your body and muscles to prepare them for the turn. Most girls just need to work on holding their extensions front at a 90 degree position before executing the turn. Then make sure your leg pulls all the way into the second position extension before snapping to the passe'. This motion is usually the culprit of a weak turn.

After you have mastered this exercise at the barre, then you are ready to take it to center floor. Remember all the pirouette practice you have done and apply that now!
~Keep your prep even and you weight balanced in the center of your plie.
~Execute your pirouette, keeping your core tight and strong.
~As soon as you spot to the front, shoot your leg out and do the motion you have practiced at the barre over and over. Keep your leg straight and toe pointed (of course) as you carry it into your second position before your snap in the passe'.
~The most common problem is sinking or shifting your chest as your working leg is shooting out. Keep your back strong and hold your chest in place as you execute this. Don't let a shoulder fall or shrug.
~Make sure your foot is flat when you plie between the fouettes', many dancers try to plie and stay in releve' at the same time, this is wrong.

This is a more advanced turn and it takes dancers years of conditioning and practice before they can execute them well!! So don't give up and keep practicing!! With some hard work and good effort you will begin to see improvements as you work on them.

Answer 2

i think that the key to executing fouette's is maintaining your "center" (i.e., keeping pulled up and in the correct posture)...by relaxing at all can make your rotation wobbly and cause you to travel, so remember to stay pulled up though your chest and torso area..also maintain your "spot"! i've been a ballet dancer for 18 years and it all goes back to your "center" and your "spot". good luck!

Answer 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_X8AaVLoKk

In the above video, she is doing fouettes and pirouettes. A la seconde i when she bring her leg straight out and passe is when she brings it back in.

Answer 4

This is a great site for people with little experience. Has great videos too!
http://www.abt.org/education/dictionary/index.html