Clarity in Ballet Technique: Frappé Foot Positions and Progressions

Progressive frappé ballet technique requires systematic foot position development. Unless you're the only ballet teacher in your school, clear communication about vocabulary teaching methods and progression is critical. This is the second in a series about vocabulary that can be taught multiple ways.

Do you teach frappé from a flexed foot, wrapped sur le cou-de-pied, or fully pointed cou-de-pied? And do you know why? All these approaches are considered correct in major methodologies, so you can confidently choose whichever one you prefer. What's most important is school-wide consistency.

My curriculum addresses frappé development through systematic progression across multiple divisions. The approach begins with foundational movement patterns in early levels, then builds specific foot positions and technical requirements as students develop the strength and coordination to handle increased complexity.

Each stage serves specific developmental purposes - some focus on ankle mobility and muscle development, others challenge turnout control differently, and advanced variations prepare students for pointe work requirements. The timing of introduction matters significantly for both safety and technical effectiveness. This systematic progression approach represents the kind of intentional development that separates confident technical growth from random lesson choices. When foot position variations are introduced systematically rather than arbitrarily, students build the specific strength and coordination needed for advanced work.

Students cannot develop clear technique if teachers aren't following comprehensive plans that connect today's training to future technical requirements.

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This thoughtful approach to progressive technique development is woven throughout my complete curriculum collection. Each division includes the systematic frameworks that build intentional excellence from foundations through advanced levels.

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