Tour en l'air

A tour en l’air is a turn performed entirely in the air. The name means “turn in the air,” and it describes exactly what happens: the dancer jumps straight up, completes one or more full rotations while off the ground, and then lands. It is one of the most impressive jumps in classical ballet and a signature step for male dancers.

How a Tour en l’Air Is Done

A tour en l’air usually starts from fifth position with a demi-plié. The dancer springs straight upward, pulling the body tall and tight to turn quickly, and rotates once, twice, or even three times in the air. The head spots to help the dancer stay oriented, and the arms pull in to speed the rotation. The dancer then opens to land, most often back in fifth position, absorbing the landing in a soft demi-plié. Keeping the jump straight up rather than traveling is essential so the dancer lands cleanly on the same spot.

Why It Is Challenging

A tour en l’air combines a strong vertical jump with fast, controlled rotation and a precise landing, which makes it demanding. The dancer needs enough height to complete the turns before coming down, a tight body position to rotate quickly, and the timing to open and land without stumbling. Because it is most often done by male dancers and features prominently in male variations, the tour en l’air is a highlight step that dancers build toward after developing strong jumps and reliable spotting.