This exercise is crafted to ensure that students maintain simplicity and focus on engaging the intrinsic muscles of the feet when transitioning away from the ballet barre. The exercise emphasises the importance of correct footwork in échappés and aims to strengthen the muscles of the feet, ensuring students can perform movements with precision and control.

Preparation: Have students start in 5th position en croix, ensuring they are ready to engage their feet and legs correctly.

Steps:

1. Have students begin with an échappé relevé en face into second position, highlighting the need for a clean and controlled opening of the legs.

2. Instruct students to follow with a demi-plié, focusing on the depth and control of the movement.

3. Cue students to relevé back into 5th position en croix, emphasising the precision in closing the feet.

4. Instruct students to perform 3 continuous échappé relevé en face into second position, maintaining the fluidity and strength of the feet.

5. Lead students back into relevé into 5th position en croix, ensuring they maintain balance and alignment.

6. Cue students to repeat from the beginning to reinforce muscle memory and technique.

7. Offer students the choice of port de bras to be decided by the teacher, adapting it to the level and focus of the class.

Focus: Stress the significance of keeping the feet and ankles aligned, avoiding sickling or rolling, to ensure safety and effectiveness in each movement.