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jeté

Jeté is a term in ballet describing a leap from one foot to the other, in which the dancer throws the working leg into the air and lands on the opposite foot. The name comes from the French jeter, meaning “to throw.” In classical usage, jetés emphasize a clean line, controlled elevation, and a smooth transfer of weight.

Technique and common variations: The leap typically begins from a plié or demi-plié on the supporting leg,

Context and technique: Jetés are foundational elements of classical ballet vocabulary and are used across repertoire

with
the
working
leg
brushed
into
an
extended
position
and
then
released
into
the
air.
The
height
and
length
of
the
leap
depend
on
the
variation.
A
grand
jeté
is
a
long,
high
leap
with
the
working
leg
extended
forward
or
to
the
side
and
the
body
stretched
to
an
outstretched
arabesque
or
full
split
in
the
air,
landing
on
the
opposite
foot.
A
petit
jeté
is
a
smaller,
quicker
version
with
less
elevation,
often
used
as
a
connecting
step
in
a
sequence.
Jeté
en
tournant,
or
tour
jeté,
describes
a
jeté
that
includes
a
turn
in
the
air
and
finishes
on
the
opposite
foot.
from
contemporary
to
neoclassical
works.
Proper
execution
requires
turnout,
alignment
of
the
spine
and
hips,
core
control,
and
a
soft,
secure
landing
on
a
fully
pointed
foot
to
protect
the
joints.
Precision
in
the
brush
of
the
working
leg,
the
height
of
the
leap,
and
the
clean
landing
contribute
to
the
overall
effect
of
the
movement.