Petit jeté

A petit jeté is a small jeté. Like any jeté, it is a jump from one foot to the other in which a leg is thrown, but the “petit” tells you it is a small, quick version rather than a big traveling leap. Petit jetés live in petit allegro, the fast, light footwork section of class and performance.

How it is performed

The dancer brushes the working leg out along the floor and springs off the supporting foot, throwing the working leg into a low position in the air. In the air the legs pass or exchange, and the dancer lands on the newly working foot with the other foot often finishing in a small position at the ankle, such as sur le cou-de-pied. The whole thing is quick and low to the ground, with the emphasis on clean, pointed feet and a soft landing rather than height or distance.

Where you will see it

Petit jetés are a staple of petit allegro combinations, often strung together with other small jumps like glissades, assemblés, and pas de bourrée. They train speed, precise footwork, and the light, springy quality called ballon. In performance, quick series of petit jetés give dancing a sparkling, delicate look.

Common mistakes

Because the step is fast, dancers often let the feet get lazy, leaving the toes unpointed or the positions unfinished. Landing heavily instead of rolling softly through the foot is another common issue, as is losing turnout when the legs move quickly. Keeping the plié soft, the feet fully pointed, and the movements small and precise keeps petit jetés crisp and light.