What Is a Leg Extension Called in Ballet?

Ballet

A leg extension in ballet is a movement done with the legs where the dancer stands on one foot and extends the other leg to the side, back, or front. This movement is often used to create an impressive line in the body and help dancers achieve grace and power in their movements. The leg extension can be done either with a full body jump or with a simple lift of the leg.

The Pointe Extension
The pointe extension is a specific type of leg extension done en pointe, which is when a dancer stands on their toes. It requires great strength and balance and often looks quite impressive.

The dancer will usually rise up on their toes before extending one of their legs outwards, creating an impressive line in the body. This movement requires immense strength and control from both the ankle and calf muscles.

The Attitude Extension
The attitude extension is another popular ballet move that involves lifting one leg off the floor while keeping it bent at the knee. This can be done either while standing on two feet or while doing a jump en pointe.

The attitude extension often looks more graceful than other types of leg extensions due to its curved shape. It also helps create an elegant line in the body.

The Grand Extension
The grand extension is one of the most difficult types of leg extensions as it requires great strength, balance, and control from both legs. It involves extending both legs simultaneously as high as possible while keeping them straight. The grand extension is usually done en pointe during jumps, so it requires immense control from both feet.

Conclusion:

Leg extensions are an important part of ballet technique that help create beautiful shapes in the body and increase power in jumps. There are several different types of leg extensions including pointe extensions, attitude extensions, and grand extensions each requiring its own level of skill and strength from dancers.