What is the difference between the Cecchetti terms 'à la seconde' and 'à terre' in Grade 4 barre?

What is the difference between the Cecchetti terms 'à la seconde' and 'à terre' in Grade 4 barre?

• A. À la seconde means moving the working foot in a circular path around the ankle.
• B. À la seconde means moving the working foot to the second position or extending into seconde; à terre means the working foot stays on the floor through the exercise.
• C. À la seconde means parallel alignment; à terre means turnout.
• D. À la seconde indicates a jump; à terre indicates not.

Answer: (B)

The idea behind these terms is how the working leg moves in relation to the body during barre.

À la seconde means the leg is extended out to the side into the second position, or you move the foot into seconde. In other words, the line of the leg reaches the side with turnout, and you may lift or extend the foot into that side position.

À terre means the working foot stays on the floor for the entire movement; there’s no lifting up into the side position.

So the correct understanding is that à la seconde involves moving into or extending to the second position, while à terre keeps the foot on the floor. The other options don’t describe these terms accurately.