This exercise aims to enhance the student’s awareness of pelvis alignment as they extend their leg for développé. It focuses on transferring force from the pelvis through the leg and torso. This is a crucial skill for ballet students, particularly when training without weight-bearing. By grounding young students in proper développé technique, it prepares them for more intense movements in the classroom.

Preparation: Ensure the student can roll the fusion ball up and down their supporting leg while keeping their hips square to the front before progressing to développé. If the student struggles with maintaining demi-pointe on the supporting foot, start with the supporting leg flat on the mat with the foot pointed. If the hips are moving backwards the option is to move the fusion ball in front of the supporting leg.

Steps:

1. Instruct them to breathe in through the nose as they roll the ball up the leg.

2. Then, they exhale through the mouth as the working leg returns to the flexed foot position.

3. When the student becomes stronger in this alignment, on the third execution, they lightly touch the small ball and extend into the développé.

4. The student will enveloppé to return to the original position and repeat.

5. Reset to repeat on the alternate side.

Focus: Emphasise the importance of keeping the hips square and maintaining their turnout. If needed, they can place a hand behind the lumbar spine for additional support.