How to Perform a Grand Battement en Cloche in Neoclassical Ballet

Grand battement en cloche may sound technical and impossible to do, but don't let the classical ballet terminology intimidate you. Grand battement is a controlled high kick and en cloche is referring to the shape of a bell. Put all together it's a high kick swinging back and forth like a bell.

Instructions

1. Hold on to a bar, table top or something sturdy and stand in first position. First position is your legs together with your heels together and toes pointed out.

2. Raise your free arm to the second position out to the side. Your arm will be rounded and your elbow lifted.

3. Swing your outside foot in a controlled kick out in front of you. Lift your leg as high as you can without moving the upper body. Keep your toe pointed and leg turned out.

4. Control the leg down back through first position and back behind you. The basic movements are grand battement to the front and grand battement to the back. This is a fluid movement from front to back. The upper body is held still as the leg swings from front to back.

5. Turn around and repeat Steps 1 through 4 with the other leg.

Tips & Warnings

• When starting out, don't worry about the height of the leg; stability and control is more important in this movement.

• Concentrate on keeping your spine straight and erect.

• It's important to stretch before trying to high kick. Without stretching, you risk pulling, straining or possibly tearing a muscle.