Sus-sous

Movement Demonstration

Definition

Sus-sous:  Over-under, or sous-sus, a term of the French and Russian Schools. 

It is a classical ballet term that translates to “over-under” and describes when a dancer springs onto releve demi-pointe or pointe, quickly placing the back foot more closely behind the front in fifth position with fully stretched legs.  A dancer’s look having finished a sus-sous is a releve in a fifth position with legs tightly together.  Many dancers are taught to imagine hiding their back foot’s toes, so you only see “one set of toes and two heels” when looking from the front.

This step is very common in ballet and is seen in almost every ballet imaginable!  It is taught in beginner ballet classes and again when young dancers begin pointe classes.  The idea of a sus-sous can simply be thought of as releve in fifth position; however, if a dancer does not slide their feet and legs together, there will be a gap between the legs after the releve.

Movement Techniques

1. Movement Explanations:
   1. Start from a Fifth position.
   2. Do a plié, bend your knees.
   3. Scoop up to the sous-sus.
2. Movement Techniques:
   1. Toes aligned.
   2. Feet, inner-thighs, and glutes are squeezed together.
   3. Feet align all the way down your body.