Dance Terminology

4. to bend the knees
7. “To stretch” Sliding the foot across the floor, ending in a pointed position.
10. Big kick
12. To jump, such as “saute passe” or “saute arabesque”
14. To rise onto the balls of the feet, starting with straight legs
15. “To the second” or to the side
18. “To whip.” This term is used to describe many different dance steps, such as a jump or turns.
19. “To cut.” Foot is connected to the ankle in front or back.
20. Pushing off of one foot and landing on the other
21. Back, side, front

1. To turn on one foot, often with the other foot in passe
2. “Disengage” Like a tendu, but the foot releases from the floor at the end.
3. One leg is bent at a 90 degree angle. Can be to the front, side, or arabesque.
5. To the front
6. To rise onto the balls of the feet, starting with a plie
8. “To chase” Momentum step. Front foot slides forward, back foot meets front foot in the air, front foot slides forward again upon landing.
9. Behind, or to the back
11. Linked turns in first position releve
13. Foot is connected to the knee. Can be rotated or parallel.
16. Jumping off of two feet and landing on one, with the other leg extended to the front, back, or side.
17. Carriage of the arms