Batterie

Batterie is the group name for all beaten steps, or steps that include beats of the legs, in classical ballet. Instead of naming one specific movement, the word covers a whole category. If a step involves the legs crossing and “beating” against each other in the air, it belongs to the batterie.

What Counts as Batterie

Examples include a jeté battu and a cabriole. In both, the legs beat together while the dancer is in the air, which is what places them in the batterie group. Other beaten steps such as entrechats, brisés, and royales also belong here. The word “battu” attached to a step name (as in “jeté battu”) is a signal that a beat has been added to a step you may already know.

Petite and Grande Batterie

Teachers often split batterie into two sizes. Petite batterie covers the small, quick beaten steps done close to the floor, while grande batterie covers the bigger beaten jumps that travel higher and cover more space. Both need sharp, well pointed feet and fast, precise legs, because the beats have to be clean and clear rather than blurry.

Why It Is Challenging

Beaten steps ask a lot of a dancer: you have to jump, cross the legs quickly and neatly, and land cleanly, all in a short moment in the air. Because of this, batterie is usually introduced only after a dancer has a solid jump and good control. For students, mastering even a simple beaten step is a satisfying sign of growing coordination and strength.