Let’s start the year with frappés! It’s not caffeinated but sure to give you a buzz. 

Frappé translates to “strike” in French, named for the action of the working foot “striking” the floor quickly as if striking a match to light a flame. They bring a bright energy into the barre exercises and are important for developing speed and precision before entering center. 

How to do a frappé?

The working leg starts either in wrapped sur le cou-de-pied, coupé, or a flexed foot (depending on your training style) and moves out directly to a slightly lifted position as in a battement glissé, but the foot strikes or brushes the floor on the way there. This can be done to the front, side or back.

Tips & tricks ––

• Visualise striking a match – make your battements frappés crisp and forceful

• Keep your hips controlled

• Lift your supporting side as you extend the working foot

• Engage your inner thighs – feel the working thigh pressed back gently to maintain turnout

• Keep your torso still and upper-body well lifted throughout

• Play with the dynamics!

Frappés are fast-paced combinations and bound to get faster as you add more beats and variation. Allow yourself to enjoy the different dynamics it has to offer whether you throw your foot out like a sharp-edged knife freezing in mid-air, or if you let the energy travel beyond the foot, focusing on a quick return instead.

The play is never-ending. With practice, you will soon be moving freely and quickly, all ready for petit allegros in the centre!

Train Like A Dancer, By Dancers