Pirouette en Dehors

A pirouette en dehors is the outward turn, the most common kind of pirouette a dancer learns. En dehors means “outward,” and it tells you which direction the turn spins: toward the side of the lifted, working leg and away from the supporting leg.

Which way it turns

The easiest way to remember it is that the turn goes in the direction of the raised leg. If the right leg lifts to retiré, an en dehors pirouette turns to the right, spinning away from the supporting left leg. This is the opposite of a pirouette en dedans, which turns inward, toward the supporting leg. Both are built on the same balanced retiré position, with the working foot at the knee, but they rotate in opposite directions.

How the turn works

A pirouette en dehors usually starts from a preparation in fourth or second position. The dancer pliés to gather power, then pushes off and pulls up onto a strong supporting leg, snapping the working foot into retiré while the arms close to help drive the rotation. A clean spot, where the head whips around to fix on one point, keeps the dancer from getting dizzy and helps them stay facing front. The turn finishes by lowering the heel and closing the working leg, ideally landing in a controlled position without a wobble.

En dehors pirouettes are a cornerstone of technique. Dancers practice singles first, then work toward doubles and beyond, and the same outward-turning action carries into more advanced turns later on. Mastering the balance, the spot, and the clean finish of a single en dehors turn builds the foundation for nearly all the turning a dancer will do.