Pas de cheval
PAS DE cheval
Pas de cheval, meaning “step of the horse” in French, describes the specific step that begins in a coupé or sur le cou-de-pied position then takes an arc-shaped path through the air to extend out to a straight leg position. Pas de cheval can be done to the en avant, à la seconde, or derrière directions.
The first important element of a pas de cheval is the way the foot leaves the floor to travel to coupé or cou-de-pied. Pas de cheval often begins in a fifth position, so it should begin by establishing a fifth that is equally rotated and grounded. As the foot travels to sur le cou-de-pied or coupé back, imagine the working foot peeling away from the floor beginning with the pinky toes wrapping towards the back. As the foot comes off the floor to create the coupé position, think of rotating the entire leg and keeping the knee back. Pas de cheval to the back begins with coupé back, requiring the heel to connect with the back of the leg. Pay extra attention that the foot does not sickle at any point during its pathway of a pas de cheval derrière! As always, the standing leg is just as important as the working leg in this step and should remain engaged, supported, and rotated through the pas de cheval. This allows the working leg the freedom to move through the step with support. Even though turning out the working leg through the step is important, the working leg coupé should not become rotated to the extent that it is over-rotated and the hips can’t stay aligned and placed. Rotation should stay equal for both the working and standing leg, and only to the extent you can safely maintain correct placement.
Maintain the feeling of the wrapped cou-de-pied or coupé position of the foot in the air as the working leg leaves the standing leg with the toes pointed and stretched. Pas de cheval uses a lift and circular pathway for the leg to straighten as the toe reaches out. This arc position should stay turned out throughout, keeping the rotation that was established during the coupé or cou-de-pied wrap. Imagine the heel aiming to rotate upward the entire time the leg travels on its pathway to the front, even as the knee straightens. To the side, think of the bottom of the heel rotating toward the front. Maintaining rotation is especially difficult to the back as the foot leaves the coupé. The knee should never drop toward the ground; instead the entire leg should stay rotated out to the side as it straightens. However, make sure the working side hip does not lift incorrectly to make the turnout happen. It can be useful to look at this step from the side occasionally to check if you are maintaining rotation and placement all the way through the end of the step.
Pas de cheval is often found at the barre, and is an important element of many steps in center and choreography. Pas de cheval commonly can be used to begin steps such as tombé pas de bourrée and piqués to various positions. Pas de cheval is well worth the consistent practice and work it takes to develop correct technique and placement throughout this step!
Have a wonderful Technique Thursday!
