Rond de Jambe

Rond de jambe means “circle of the leg,” and it is exactly that: a circular movement of the working leg. It is one of the most common exercises in all of ballet and a staple at the barre, where dancers trace the working foot or leg in a smooth semi-circle to build turnout, control, and mobility in the hip.

How it is performed

In the most basic version, rond de jambe à terre, the working toe stays on the floor and traces a half-circle, brushing from the front, around through the side, to the back, or the reverse. Moving from front to back is called en dehors, and moving from back to front is en dedans. The supporting leg stays pulled up and still, the hips stay square, and the movement comes entirely from the turned-out working leg rotating in the hip socket. The circle should be smooth and even, with the toe or leg keeping to a clean path.

The many variations

Rond de jambe is really a whole family of steps. Beyond the basic rond de jambe à terre, there is double rond de jambe, rond de jambe en l’air where the circle is made in the air, and its releve and sauté versions, plus fouetté rond de jambe en tournant, rond de jambe fermé, and grand rond de jambe jeté. Each takes the same idea, a circling leg, and applies it at different heights, speeds, and levels of difficulty.

Common mistakes

The usual errors are letting the hips shift or open as the leg travels behind, losing turnout so the circle flattens, and rushing the path so it becomes a swing rather than a controlled arc. Keeping the supporting side strong, the hips square, and the working leg fully turned out is what keeps the circle clean and the exercise useful.