Ballet Term
Emboîté
Emboîté is a ballet term for a type of jeté where the dancer alternates their legs in a bent position and springing into front attitudes.
An emboîté is a lively little traveling jump in which the legs seem to fit neatly together as they alternate in the air. The word comes from the French for “boxed” or “fitted in,” which is a good picture for the way one leg tucks in as the other springs out.
How the step works
Emboîté is a type of jeté where the dancer alternates the legs in a bent position, springing from one foot to the other. As one leg lifts to the front, often into a small attitude with the knee bent, the dancer springs and switches, bringing the other leg through in the same shape. Done in a series, the legs alternate front and front, or the dancer changes level, creating a quick, bouncing rhythm across the floor.
Because the knees stay bent and the switches happen fast, emboîté trains speed, coordination, and clean footwork. The dancer needs to point the feet sharply and keep the timing even so the series looks crisp rather than rushed.
Where you will see it
Emboîté often travels in a line across the stage or turns in a series, and it appears in allégro combinations that test quick, small jumps. There are variations depending on the school and the choreography, including versions done turning (emboîté en tournant) where the dancer spins while alternating the legs. For young dancers it is a fun step to build once single small jumps feel secure, since it links speed with control.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
What does emboîté mean?
It comes from the French for "fitted in" or "boxed." It describes how one leg tucks in as the other springs out, with the legs alternating in a bent position.
Is emboîté a type of jeté?
Yes. It is a jeté in which the dancer springs from one foot to the other, alternating the legs in a bent position, often into small front attitudes.
Can emboîté be done turning?
Yes. A common version, emboîté en tournant, has the dancer spin while alternating the legs, which adds a turning element to the quick footwork.