Ballet Term
Pas de Chat
A pas de chat is a step in ballet that starts in fifth position. The dancer’s right foot will be in back, then the dancer will plie, jump with the right leg to go into retiré, and quickly move the left leg into passé. Following this, the ballet dancer will then place their right foot on the floor first, followed by the left in front to fifth position.
A pas de chat means “step of the cat,” and it is named for the light, springy way a cat leaps sideways. It is a favorite step for young dancers because it looks graceful, feels fun, and shows up in famous ballets, including the dance of the little cygnets in Swan Lake.
How the step works
The pas de chat begins in fifth position, with the right foot in back. From there the dancer pliés and springs up, lifting the back leg first into a retiré so the toe comes to the knee. As the dancer travels sideways through the air, the front leg then lifts into passé too, so for a moment both knees are bent and lifted like a cat springing over something. The dancer lands by placing the right foot down first, then closing the left foot in front into fifth position again.
The key to a pretty pas de chat is that both feet leave the floor and both knees lift high and turned out, creating a diamond shape with the legs at the top of the jump. The movement travels to the side, so the dancer covers a little ground with each one.
What makes it tricky
The timing is what dancers practice most. The legs lift one after the other, not together, and both have to be pointed and turned out even though everything happens quickly. Landing softly through the feet keeps the step quiet and catlike rather than heavy. Once the basic pas de chat feels secure, dancers explore fancier relatives such as the grand pas de chat and the gargouillade, which add height or extra leg circles to the same catlike spring.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
What does pas de chat mean?
It means "step of the cat." The step is named for the light, springy sideways leap of a cat, with both knees lifting into a diamond shape at the top of the jump.
What position does a pas de chat start and finish in?
It begins and ends in fifth position. The dancer starts with one foot in back, springs sideways lifting each leg to retiré in turn, and lands closing back into fifth.
Why is the timing of a pas de chat tricky?
The legs lift one after the other rather than at the same time, and both must stay pointed and turned out even though the jump happens quickly. A soft landing keeps it light and catlike.