Entrechat

An entrechat is a jump in which the dancer springs straight into the air and rapidly beats the legs, crossing and changing the position of the feet before landing. It belongs to the family of beaten steps known as batterie, and it is one of the most dazzling displays of quick footwork in classical ballet. The crisscrossing legs create a shimmering, woven look that gives the step its name, which suggests an interweaving.

How the beats work

The dancer takes off from fifth position with a strong, straight jump. In the air, the legs open slightly and cross, then open and cross again, with the calves brushing past one another. The feet may swap which one is in front, or return to the same order, depending on the specific entrechat. All of this happens in the brief moment of the jump, so the beats must be fast, clean, and precise. A powerful push from a deep plié gives the height needed to fit the beats in before the dancer comes back down.

Counting entrechats

Entrechats are named by number: entrechat quatre, six, huit, and so on. The number counts the total movements of the legs during the jump, so higher numbers mean more beats and demand more air time. Even numbers, like quatre and six, land on two feet, while odd numbers, like trois and cinq, land on one. Entrechat six is an especially celebrated feat of male bravura dancing because it packs several rapid crossings into a single high jump.

Tips for young dancers

Start with a clean changement so the up-and-down of the jump is secure, then add a single beat. Keep the legs turned out and stretched, point the feet hard, and think of brushing the calves past each other rather than kicking. The upper body should stay lifted and quiet while the legs do the fast work below. Patience and strong plié are the keys to building bright, quick entrechats.