Ballet Dictionary: Sur le cou-de-pied devant
Photo by Mark Sumaylo • Text by Abigail Oliveiro
Position: Sur le cou-de-pied devant
How: A sur le cou-de-pied devant describes the position of the foot. “Sur le cou-de-pied” means “on the neck of the foot” which describes where the working foot is placed. Although the term “devant” means in front, the foot you see on the dancer is not placed in the front. Instead, her foot is wrapped. In the Vaganova method, sur le cou-de-pied devant describes when the heel is placed in front of the supporting leg, the sole of the working foot is “wrapped” around the leg so the toes are pointed behind the supporting leg.
Tip: This position really gets the deep rotators working as it requires good strength in turnout to maintain the position of the knee facing toward the side. However, don’t forget to also keep the supporting leg rotated.
Dancer: Shaira Comeros, Company Artist
Location: Studio 3, Ballet Manila
