This exercise introduces the temps levé, a fundamental ballet movement that's often a challenging concept for young students. It's designed to help young dancers understand and feel the mechanics of the temps levé, while also building the necessary strength and technique to execute it correctly. It focuses on the coordination of a vertical jump with proper foot extension and alignment.

Preparation: Have the students face the barre with their hips square and their hands lightly placed on the barre. Position the working leg in à la seconde on a fusion ball.

Steps:

1. Instruct students to perform a fondu (plié).

2. Guide them to stretch the supporting leg and then fondu again to push into the temps levé, focusing on a vertical jump.

3. Ensure they hold the landing, checking that their knee is over their toes on each landing. If their weight placement is correct the toes will roll towards the centre of the fusion ball as they jump.

4. This movement should be executed four times in total and then repeated on the alternate leg.

Focus: Emphasise the importance of knee alignment over the toes during landing and maintaining a squared hip position throughout.