During grand battement, which alignment cues are essential to maintain stability?

During grand battement, which alignment cues are essential to maintain stability?

• A. During grand battement, the pelvis remains stable, weight centered over the supporting leg, and core engaged.
• B. Knee hyperextended.
• C. Shoulders shrug and arms flop.
• D. Pitch upper body forward.

Answer: (A)

Stability in grand battement comes from three alignment cues that provide a solid base: the pelvis stays stable and level, the weight is centered over the supporting leg, and the torso remains upright with the core engaged. When the pelvis is level, there’s no tipping that would pull the leg off its axis. Keeping the weight centered over the supporting leg helps the center of gravity stay over the base of support, making balance possible as the working leg lifts. Engaging the core stabilizes the spine and ribcage, allowing the leg to extend with control without the torso wobbling.

Knee hyperextension invites instability and can lead to injury. Shoulders that shrug and arms that flop disrupt upper-body alignment and shift balance, and pitching the upper body forward moves the center of gravity ahead of the supporting foot, making stability harder to maintain.