Ballet Terms: S

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Saut de Basque – A traveling step where the dancer turns in the air

Jumping originating from the Basque region. A traveling step during which the dancer turns in the air and lands in retiré or cou-de-pied.

Sissonne – A jump from two feet, landing on either two feet or one foot

Sissonnes may be either small (petite) or large (grande). Usually thought to only occur with a split of the legs, but can be executed without a wide position (as in Sissonne Simple).

Sissonne Ouverte – A jump from two feet, landing on one foot with the leg extended in the air

Sissonne Soubresaut – A curved, flying jump in fifth position

A step often called by many different names including Temps de Poisson French School. A jump from two feet, with the back arched and the legs extending backwards and kept together; landing on one foot with one leg extended backwards. Often confused with failli, where the legs open into the jump.

Sissonne Simple – A jump from two feet to one foot landing in coup-de-pied

Soutenu, Battement – A sustained position in fifth or first

From the French Soutenir, meaning to sustain or as used in the French School suspend, a battement soutenu is a movement that is a stretch of the legs into fifth or first position. It is done from an extended position where the working leg is brought in to meet the rising supporting leg from a plié in either fifth or first, on flat, demi-pointe, or pointe. A battement soutenu can also denote a complete movement starting in fifth position with the working leg sliding out to a full point as the supporting leg pliés before bringing the legs together. A battement soutenu can also be done by going through cou-de-pied to 45 degrees or through retiré to 90 degrees.

Spotting – The action of the head and eyes while turning

Spotting is when a dancer maintains focus to one spot in the room while turning. (Developed by Carlo Blasis).