Ballet Term
Soubresaut
Soubresaut is a term in ballet that describes a quick jump from two feet and with the dancer landing on two feet in fifth position.
A soubresaut is a quick jump straight up from two feet, landing again on two feet, with the legs held tightly together throughout. The dancer takes off from fifth position and lands back in fifth, keeping the feet closed and pointed in the air so the whole body looks like one clean line rising and falling.
How it is performed
The dancer starts in fifth position with a demi-plié, then springs straight up, pressing through the feet and stretching the legs and feet completely so the two legs stay glued together and the toes point hard. There is no beating and no change of the feet in a basic soubresaut. The body often arches slightly forward at the height of the jump, giving it a bounding, arcing quality, before rolling back down through the feet into a soft plié in fifth. Because the legs stay closed, the emphasis is on a clean, unified shape and a quiet landing.
Where you will see it
Soubresauts appear in allegro and often travel forward slightly, which makes them useful for covering a little ground with a light, springing look. They can be strung into a series to create a bounding phrase across the stage, and they help train the elastic, springy quality called ballon.
Common mistakes
The main problems are letting the feet separate in the air instead of holding fifth, not fully pointing the feet, and landing heavily rather than rolling softly through the foot. Bending the knees in the air also breaks the clean line. Keeping the legs tightly closed, the feet stretched, and the plié soft on the landing is what gives a soubresaut its crisp, buoyant look.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the feet change or beat in a soubresaut?
No. In a basic soubresaut the feet stay closed in fifth position the whole time, with no beating and no change of the front foot, which is what separates it from beaten jumps.
Does a soubresaut travel?
It often travels slightly forward, giving a bounding look, and it can be repeated in a series to move across the floor, though it can also be done in place.