Ballet is a beautiful art form that takes years of dedicated practice to perfect. It has its own unique vocabulary of steps and movements that must be mastered in order to become a professional dancer.
One of the most fundamental movements in ballet is the kick, which is used for both leaps and turns. In ballet, there are two types of kicks: the entrechat and the battement.
The Entrechat
The entrechat is a leaping kick in which the feet are crossed one over the other as they swing outward from center point. The dancer must maintain control while their body is in an arched position and their legs tuck underneath them as they reach their maximum height in the air. The entrechat can be performed with a variety of steps including pas de bourrée, sissonne, chassé and more.
The Battement
The battement is a kicking action done while standing on one leg or while gliding across the floor. It requires great control as the dancer swings their leg outward from center point and then quickly snaps it back into place without compromising balance or form. This type of kick can be done with a variety of steps including pas de chat, grand battement and grande jeté.
Conclusion:
A kick in ballet is called either an entrechat or a battement depending on how it is executed—either leaping or standing—and what step it accompanies. Professional dancers must master both types of kicks to become well-rounded performers.