Rond de Jambe (circle of the leg) is a smooth, continuous and flowing exercise that prepares the leg for all circular movements in the hip socket as well as strengthening the muscles of the back and the abdominals.

Students must take care to maintain the external rotation of the hip joint when passing through first position. The turn out must also be maintained through both the ecarte devant and the ecarte derriere positions of the rond de jambe.

Rond de jambe is an extremely important exercise at the barre to strengthen technique as it works the rotation of the femoral head within the hip socket and increases the mobility of the hip socket, for control of a sustained turn out.

When first teaching demi rond de jamb and full rond de jambe a terre to students, it's a good idea to begin facing the barre in first position so the student can establish a good alignment and posture. A small trick I use is to draw a chalk cross (is easy to rub off later!) on the floor so the students can see the exact position front, side and back that the toes are aiming for. The student commences by standing in the centre of the cross in first position. Starting from the first position slide the working leg forward through a small 4^th position onto the chalk line at the front, (this will bring the toes in line with the supporting heel) keeping the heel well forward. Ensure the foot is fully stretched. Rond de jambe en dehors, opening the leg to the chalk line at the side (toes opposite the supporting heel at the side). Repeat this circle of the leg to the chalk line at the back with the toes opposite the supporting heel. From the fully stretched position derriere the heel is then dropped to a small 4^th position keeping the heels in line. Then slide the working leg back to the starting first position. This can be done very slowly to start and then build up the speed. Working with the cross on the floor helps the student to understand the clean directions required for rends de jambe.

Technique checklist for rond de jambe;

• Keep the heel well forward

- Aim for really good directions front, side and back

- Ensure the toes are fully stretched

• From 1^st position- foot opposite the supporting heel
• - Keep the weight of the body on the supporting leg

- Always maintain a strong posture

- Maintain good alignment of hips, ribs and shoulders

- Correct head alignment used for both en dedans and en dehors

• No sickling of the feet

- Always be aware of the strong supporting side

- Lead with your inner thigh to really work the turnout

- Go through a good first position

- No rolling feet or clenching feet through first

Variations of Rond de Jambe;

• Demi rond de jambe
• Full rond de jambe
• Rond a quart (with toes only)
• Double or triple rond de jambe

- Rond de jambe at 45 degrees and 90 degrees

• Rond de jambe en releve

Students always like to know where a step at the barre is leading to! I like to give them a small list or pictures of examples of steps that they are working towards and where that particular step is leading to. Rond de jambe is a preparation for the correct execution of many other exercises including;

• pas de basque,
• soutenu en tournant
• pas de bouree en tournant
• ronds de jambe en lair
• grand ronds de jambe jetes

Musically the accent of the rond de jambe is as the working leg passes through the first position on the count, and circle is done on the upbeat.

In advanced classes students can do double rond a quart, which is done with the toes only. A small fast double rond with the toes in one or two circles is done at the front or the back tendu before continuing the leg around to complete the full rond de jambe par terre. This is a wonderful training exercise for petit allegro as it strengthens the quick reflex action of the metatarsals.