Petit Battement

A petit battement is a small, quick beating of the working foot against the ankle of the supporting leg. The word battement means a beating action, and petit means small, so the whole move is a tidy little back and forth at the ankle. It builds speed, control, and clean footwork, which is why it shows up so often at the barre.

How it is performed

The working foot rests at cou-de-pied, meaning wrapped at the ankle of the supporting leg. From there the lower leg opens slightly to the side and closes again, moving quickly from front to back or back to front while the thigh and knee stay still. Only the part of the leg below the knee should move. The supporting leg stays strong and turned out, and the hips stay square and quiet.

Common mistakes

• Letting the whole leg swing instead of moving only below the knee
• Losing the turnout of the working knee so the beats look flat
• Gripping the toes or sickling the foot at the ankle
• Bouncing the hip or shoulder in time with the beats

Tips for beginners

Start slowly and make each beat clear before you try to speed up. Keep the thigh lifted and still, and imagine the knee as a hinge that stays in place while the lower leg does all the work. Practicing petit battement with control now gives you the fast, articulate feet you will need later for beaten jumps and quick allegro.