Grand Battement

Movement Demonstration

Definition

Grand Battement: Large battement; a classical ballet term which means “large battement.” 

A dancer performs a grand battement by throwing the working leg into the air from the hip and bringing it back down to a typically fifth position.  While doing a grand battement, a dancer keeps both legs straight while the rest of the body remains relatively still.

A grand battement is very important for grande allegro, allowing a dancer to jump higher when performed correctly. This must be done with apparent ease, the rest of the body remaining quiet. The function of grands battements is to loosen the hip joints and turn out the legs from the hips. Grands battements can be taken devant, derrière and à la seconde.

To execute a grand battement à la quatrième devant start in the fifth position, R foot in front. In one sweeping movement, slide the R foot to the fourth position front (fourth position croisé), pointe tendue, raise the foot to the fourth position front en l’air, lower the foot to the fourth position pointe tendue and slide the foot back to the fifth position front. Battements à la seconde and à la quatrième derrière are done in the same manner. In the execution of grands battements à la seconde, the working leg closes alternately in the fifth position front and back

Movement Techniques

1. Movement Explanations:
   1. Start in Fifth position.
   2. Hands in Second position.
   3. Raise the leg back, sideways, and backward.
   4. Brush your foot along the floor and lift it up to a kick.
   5. Point your foot throughout the movement.
2. Movement Techniques:
   1. Lift both legs as high as possible in the air.
   2. Legs fully extended.
   3. Kick your foot as high as you can.
   4. Keep your supporting leg fully straightened.