Which term is a whipping movement of the leg used to accelerate turns?

Which term is a whipping movement of the leg used to accelerate turns?

• A. Epaulement
• B. Attitude
• C. Arabesque
• D. Fouette

Answer: (D)

The movement described is a fouette. In ballet, fouetté refers to a whipping action of the working leg that generates momentum to drive and speed up turns. The leg whips around the hip, often starting from a passé or turned-out position, while the dancer rotates on one supporting leg. This rapid, snapping motion is what keeps the turn going and increases its speed, a hallmark of many turning sequences. Other terms describe positions or alignment rather than the specific whipping action. Epaulement involves turning the head and shoulders to create line and expression; Attitude is a pose with the leg lifted (usually bent) behind the body; Arabesque is a long line with the working leg extended behind. None of these convey the active whipping mechanism used to accelerate a turn.

The movement described is a fouette. In ballet, fouetté refers to a whipping action of the working leg that generates momentum to drive and speed up turns. The leg whips around the hip, often starting from a passé or turned-out position, while the dancer rotates on one supporting leg. This rapid, snapping motion is what keeps the turn going and increases its speed, a hallmark of many turning sequences.

Other terms describe positions or alignment rather than the specific whipping action. Epaulement involves turning the head and shoulders to create line and expression; Attitude is a pose with the leg lifted (usually bent) behind the body; Arabesque is a long line with the working leg extended behind. None of these convey the active whipping mechanism used to accelerate a turn.