Détourné

A détourné is a turn in which the dancer rotates once completely on both feet, either on pointe, on demi-pointe, or flat. The feet stay together as the body turns, so the dancer finishes facing the opposite direction with the position of the feet reversed. It is a neat, compact turn often used to change facing or link one step to another.

Because both feet stay on the floor and close in fifth position, a détourné feels controlled and grounded compared with a spinning pirouette. You might see it used to smoothly turn a dancer around to face a new direction before the next movement begins. A related step, the demi détourné, turns only halfway. Keeping the legs pulled together, rising evenly onto both feet, and turning through a strong center will make a détourné look clean and effortless.