Which term means 'Little beats'?

Which term means 'Little beats'?

• A. Petits battements
• B. Petits tours
• C. Arrière
• D. Soubresaut

Answer: (A)

Petits battements means “little beats.” In ballet vocabulary, a battement is the beat or beating action of the working foot, generated from the ankle. Petit indicates a small range and light, rapid beats, usually kept close to the floor in front, to the side, or behind, with the supporting leg still. This contrasts with grands battements, which are large, higher movements. The other terms refer to different actions—small turns, moving backward, or a jump—so they don’t describe the beating motion. Mastering petits battements builds precise ankle control and clean, quick footwork, which are essential building blocks in Cecchetti technique.

Petits battements means “little beats.” In ballet vocabulary, a battement is the beat or beating action of the working foot, generated from the ankle. Petit indicates a small range and light, rapid beats, usually kept close to the floor in front, to the side, or behind, with the supporting leg still. This contrasts with grands battements, which are large, higher movements. The other terms refer to different actions—small turns, moving backward, or a jump—so they don’t describe the beating motion. Mastering petits battements builds precise ankle control and clean, quick footwork, which are essential building blocks in Cecchetti technique.