Battement Battu

A battement battu is a small, repetitive tapping movement performed with the working foot held at sur le cou-de-pied. Instead of extending the leg out, the dancer keeps the pointed foot at the ankle of the supporting leg and lightly taps against it, either in front (devant) or behind (derrière). The word battu means “beaten,” which describes the quick, brushing taps that give the step its name.

How a Battement Battu Is Done

The working foot is placed in a sur le cou-de-pied position, wrapped or pointed at the supporting ankle. From there, the foot makes small, sharp taps against the ankle of the standing leg. The taps come from the lower leg and foot rather than from a big movement of the whole leg, so the knee stays relatively still and the action stays neat and controlled. The taps can be done to the front or to the back of the ankle depending on the exercise.

Where You Practice It

Battement battu is typically done at the barre, where dancers can focus on precision and on keeping the supporting leg strong and stable. It also appears within or alongside a frappé exercise, since both steps train quick, articulate action of the foot and lower leg. Practicing battement battu builds the fast footwork and clean cou-de-pied position that dancers need for allegro and for beaten steps later in their training.