Wild Wednesday Control Zone
The position of the leg known as à la seconde is an interesting animal. Although strict classical technique dictates
that the leg should be placed exactly
at the dancer’s side (paper-doll or steam roller style), in reality this is seldom the
case.
It is the dancer’s
degree of turn-out that determines the placement of the leg. If a student with little turn-out tries to
put the leg exactly to the side, the result is a turned-in leg and lifted
hip. If the leg is instead placed in the
student’s “control zone” – where their turn-out allows the position without
sacrificing the rotation of the leg – this placement will actually allow the
student to develop more turn-out and, over time, the leg will be able to be
placed further back.
So I emphasize to my students that they need to be aware of
where their individual “control zone” is, and use that placement to foster the
development of greater turn-out.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Secret #3h:
“In à la seconde, the leg is usually not located at the dancer’s exact
side, but is slightly in front of the side seam. This ‘control zone’ allows for maximum
rotation of the leg.”
Link of the Day:
Quote
of the Day:
“Every accomplishment begins with the
decision to try.”
-
Esther Thomas
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