Fish Dive

A fish dive is a dramatic partnered pose in which the ballerina is held low to the ground by her partner while her legs are drawn up behind her in a retiré or similar shape. The name comes from the look of the pose: the dancer’s body dips forward and down, head lower than the hips, so she appears to be diving like a fish. It is one of the most recognizable finishing shapes in classical pas de deux.

How the Pose Is Held

In a fish dive the male dancer supports the ballerina as she leans forward and down, holding her securely at the waist or thigh while she keeps one leg bent up behind her. Her back is arched and her upper body reaches toward the floor without touching it. Trust and timing matter enormously here, because the ballerina is committing her weight into her partner’s hands and relying on him to hold the shape steady.

Where You See It

Fish dives often appear at the end of a pas de deux or a series of supported lifts, as a striking final image before a pose or bow. Famous grand pas de deux sometimes include several fish dives in a row, each caught by the partner. Because it needs strong partnering skill and a confident, well placed body, the fish dive is usually learned only after dancers have solid partnering experience.