What are the five positions of the feet in Cecchetti notation and how are they used in Grade 4 barre work?

What are the five positions of the feet in Cecchetti notation and how are they used in Grade 4 barre work?

• A. The five positions are 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th; used only in center work.
• B. The five positions are 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th (extended), 5th (crossed). In Grade 4 barre, exercises are practiced in all positions, with tendus and dégagés and rond de jambe executed in each, maintaining turnout and correct alignment.
• C. The five positions are 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th (extended), 5th (Crossed). They are used in Grade 4 barre with exercises in all positions, but only in front of the mirror.
• D. The five positions are 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th; the fifth is always crossed.

Answer: (B)

Five standard foot positions in Cecchetti provide the framework for how the body lines up at the barre. They are defined by how the feet relate to each other and to the hips: the first position has the heels together with turnout from the hips; the second places the feet about one foot’s length apart in parallel; the third brings the heel of one foot to the middle of the back foot; the fourth extended draws the feet apart on the same straight line with the front foot ahead of the back foot; and the fifth crossed stacks the feet one in front of the other in a tight, turned-out line. In Grade 4 barre, these five positions are used in all exercises. Tendus, dégagés, and rond de jambe are carried out in each position, with a continued focus on maintaining turnout from the hips and correct alignment through every movement. The 4th extended position helps create length and space for the leg to move cleanly, while the 5th crossed position trains precise, close alignment for transitions and more intricate steps. This consistent practice across all five positions builds the strength, control, and line essential for later work.

Five standard foot positions in Cecchetti provide the framework for how the body lines up at the barre. They are defined by how the feet relate to each other and to the hips: the first position has the heels together with turnout from the hips; the second places the feet about one foot’s length apart in parallel; the third brings the heel of one foot to the middle of the back foot; the fourth extended draws the feet apart on the same straight line with the front foot ahead of the back foot; and the fifth crossed stacks the feet one in front of the other in a tight, turned-out line.

In Grade 4 barre, these five positions are used in all exercises. Tendus, dégagés, and rond de jambe are carried out in each position, with a continued focus on maintaining turnout from the hips and correct alignment through every movement. The 4th extended position helps create length and space for the leg to move cleanly, while the 5th crossed position trains precise, close alignment for transitions and more intricate steps. This consistent practice across all five positions builds the strength, control, and line essential for later work.