TURNS

                                                                           PIROUETTES

A pirouette is a type of dance turn on one foot. It is performed with turnout (legs rotated outward at hips) in ballet, and typically without turnout in gymnastics and many other genres of dance, such as jazz and modern. It is often executed by starting with one or both legs plié (knees bent) and rising onto demi pointe (heels raised), or in the case of ballerinas, to en pointe (on toe tips with special shoes called pointe shoes)

                                                                      FOUETTES

A fouetté turn (or fouetté en tournant) begins with the performer standing on one flat foot in plié (with knee bent). The working leg is extended and whipped around to the side and then bent and pulled in. The foot beats behind the knee and then to the front of the knee of the supporting leg before extending back out. At the same time, the supporting foot transitions to relevé (heel raised), in ballet often rising to en pointe (on toe tips).

                                                                                           A LA SECONDES

Starting in a neutral position, place your right leg to the side so that your big toe is in contact with the ground. Take your right foot back into your lunge/plié position. Arms should set out to the side, and then set your right arm forward when setting into the plié position.The first part of the à la seconde turn is the ‘swivel’. From your set position, initiate your turn over your right shoulder, closing your arms as you begin your turn. The supporting leg should be turning in a plié (bent leg) position with the heel almost keeping contact with the ground. From the set position, your ‘swivel’ should complete 7/8ths of the initial turn. Your legs should be turned out at the hips for the duration of the turn. Your extended leg should be held at hip height. Ensure that your spotting coincides with the closing of your arms.Once you have completed 7/8ths of your initial turn, you should relevé on your supporting leg out, locking out your knee and rising up onto the ball of your foot. Your extended leg should open to the front, ensuring that it is turned out at the hip, the leg is locked out and is being held at hip height.

Once you have opened to the front, your supporting leg should plié as you close back to your ‘swivel’ position once you have turned to face the back.

Once swivelled back to the front corner, repeat the technique for the relevé to continue your turn sequence.

When completing the turn sequence, pull your extended leg into a retiré position to complete the final turn as a pirouette

                                       ILLUSION

An illusion turn (or simply illusion) is performed by keeping the working leg aligned with the torso while, simultaneously, a 360 degree spin is executed while the torso pivots down and then back up at the hip. An illusion can be performed by turning toward or away from the working leg; the latter is known as a reverse illusion. Illusions are commonly performed in jazz dance and rhythmic gymnastics.