Insight: Ballet glossary - positions of the feet

Romany Pajdak, Royal Ballet First Artist, demonstrates positions of the feet.

Feet positions: In all schools of ballet, there are five basic foot positions: first, second, third, fourth, fifth. All ballet movements begin or end in one of these five positions. Ballet dancers must have good natural turnout of the leg from their hip to enable them to stand in first position with the feet turned out to the sides.

First position: Heels together, toes pointed outwards to the sides.
Second position: The feet remain pointing outwards, but are moved apart in parallel with each other, by approximately the length of the dancer's foot and a half.
Third position: The feet remain pointing outwards, but one is placed in front of the other, the front foot's heel touches the back foot's instep.
Fourth position opposite third / fourth open: The feet remain pointing outwards, and in the same position as third but the front foot is placed slightly forward (about the length of one of the dancer's feet).
Fourth position opposite fifth / fourth crossed: As above but the feet are crossed further with the front foot placed opposite the toes of the back foot.
Fifth position: The feet point outwards with the legs crossed and the feet touching. The heel of one foot is placed beside the toes of the other.

Read more: http://www.roh.org.uk/discover/ballet/glossary.aspx

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[Sugarlandjackson]

Her ribbons are tied kinda tight..

[TheChaiTeaLatte]

@cheetos482 nope. 3rd position isn't exactly at your arch.. in 3rd position you should cross your elastic (ribbon in this case cause she's wearing pointe shoes) while 5th should be all the way to the toes of the other foot.

[weasledust]

what music is being played in the background?

[webcamfan2569]

@Sugarlandjackson DO NOT PRY!

[lovelivelifexoxox]

3rd was more like fifth!!

[cheetos482]

3rd and 5th are the same?!