The Most Difficult Move in Ballet, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the move you think is the most difficult!
Updated on May 7, 2024 06:25
Determining the most challenging ballet move can be quite subjective, varying greatly from one dancer to another. Yet, this type of ranking can be very informative, especially for those new to the world of ballet or for seasoned practitioners looking to challenge themselves further. By seeing which movements hold the title of 'most difficult,' dancers can set personal goals and audience members gain a deeper appreciation of the discipline involved.
Such a ranking system not only highlights the physical complexities and technical requirements of each move but also sparks discussions within the ballet community. This can lead to a richer understanding of the techniques and the physical prowess required. Moreover, by participating in the voting process, users contribute to a broader consensus, helping to shape the evolving conversation about excellence in ballet.
What Is the Most Difficult Move in Ballet?
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169votes
Grand Pas de Deux
August BournonvilleThis is a highly technical and emotionally demanding duet in which the male and female dancers perform intricate lifts, turns, and jumps while maintaining a seamless connection. It requires a great deal of strength, balance, and trust between the two dancers.The 'Grand Pas de Deux' is a spectacular and challenging ballet duet that showcases the skills, artistry, and chemistry of two dancers. It is often performed in the final act of classical ballets, such as 'Swan Lake' and 'The Sleeping Beauty', and is considered one of the most difficult moves in ballet.- Difficulty level: Advanced
- Number of dancers: Two
- Duration: Approximately 10-12 minutes
- Style: Classical ballet
- Technical requirements: Complex partnering, precise footwork, and intricate lifts
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245votes
Otria · CC BY 1.0This is a series of rapid turns on one leg with the other leg extended and whipping around in front of the body. It requires incredible balance, control, and precision.The 'Fouetté en tournant' is a challenging and iconic movement in ballet. It involves a series of rapid turns on one leg while the working leg extends out and performs quick whip-like movements called 'fouetté'. This move requires exceptional balance, control, and technique.- Difficulty Level: Advanced
- Leg Placement: Working leg extended in multiple whip-like movements ('fouetté')
- Execution: Continuous or alternating turns on one leg while the supporting leg maintains stability
- Arm Placement: Usually in various positions from rounded, overhead, or held in a specific balletic pose
- Speed: Quick and precise whipping of the working leg combined with controlled turns
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322votesThis is a turn on one leg while standing on the tip of the toe. It requires a great deal of strength, balance, and control, as well as the ability to maintain a straight, vertical axis.Pirouettes en pointe is a challenging ballet move that involves turning on the toes in pointe shoes. This move requires strength, balance, and control, as well as precision in executing multiple rotations without losing control. The dancer spins around while keeping the upper body lifted and straight, with the supporting leg fully extended and the other leg in attitude or in a passe position.
- Physical demands: Strength and control
- Difficulty level: Advanced
- Level of balance required: High
- Required technique: Pirouettes
- Footwear: Pointe shoes
Pirouettes en pointe in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most difficult ballet move
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417votes
Grande jété
Pierre BeauchampThis is a leap in which the dancer jumps into the air, throws their legs open, and lands on one foot. It requires a great deal of power, momentum, and coordination.The Grande jété is a challenging and impressive ballet move that involves a high, soaring leap through the air. The dancer begins with a grand battement (big kick) and extends one leg forward while pushing off the supporting leg. The other leg lifts to a fully extended position in the air as the dancer increases height and distance. The leap is usually performed in a split position, with legs forming a beautiful line en l'air.- Difficulty Level: Advanced
- Execution: One powerful push-off, extended legs, split position
- Height: High, reaching for maximum elevation
- Distance: Covering a significant horizontal distance
- Synchronization: Swift and synchronous movement of both legs
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511votesThis is a pose in which the dancer stands on one leg with the other leg lifted behind the body and bent at the knee. It requires a great deal of strength, balance, and flexibility.Attitude derrière is a ballet move where the dancer stands on one leg while the other leg is lifted and bent at the knee, with the foot placed behind the body. The working leg is held in a high position, creating a diagonal line. The torso and arms are usually lifted and balanced to maintain stability and grace.
- Difficulty Level: Advanced
- Strength Required: High
- Flexibility Required: High
- Balance Required: High
- Control Required: High
Attitude derrière in other rankings- Position 10 of 10 in Most difficult ballet move
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68votesThis is a pose in which the dancer stands on one leg with the other leg lifted behind the body and straight. It requires a great deal of strength, balance, and flexibility, as well as the ability to maintain a straight, vertical axis.The Arabesque is a challenging and graceful position in ballet that requires the dancer to balance on one leg while extending the other leg behind the body. The extended leg should ideally be straight and lifted as high as possible, creating a long and elegant line. The arms in an Arabesque can vary in position, but they are typically held in various graceful poses, adding to the overall beauty of the movement.
- Difficulty Level: Advanced
- Leg Placement: Extension behind the body
- Balance: Requires strong core stability and control
- Arm Position: Various graceful poses
- Foot Position: Pointed with the heel of the extended leg lifted
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73votesThis is a slow, controlled dance that requires a great deal of grace, fluidity, and control. It often involves lifts, turns, and extensions that require a high degree of strength, balance, and coordination.Adagio is a challenging move in ballet that requires control, balance, and grace. It is a slow and fluid sequence of movements performed by a male dancer partnering with a female dancer. The purpose of the adagio is to showcase the dancers' strength, coordination, and emotional expressiveness.
- Difficulty level: High
- Tempo: Slow
- Partnering: Involves male and female dancers
- Control: Requires precise control of movements
- Balance: Emphasizes maintaining balance and stability
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810votes
Lambtron · CC BY-SA 4.0Pas de deux
August BournonvilleThis is a duet in which the male and female dancers perform a series of complex lifts, turns, and jumps while maintaining a seamless connection. It requires a great deal of strength, balance, and trust between the two dancers.The Pas de deux is a classical ballet duet performed by a male and female dancer. It is considered one of the most difficult and demanding pieces in ballet, requiring exceptional technique, strength, and coordination.- Difficulty Level: High
- Number of Dancers: 2
- Gender: One male and one female dancer
- Length: Approximately 10-20 minutes
- Music: Typically accompanied by classical music
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99votesThis is a step in which the dancer shifts their weight back and forth from one foot to the other, while performing a series of small jumps. It requires a great deal of coordination and control.The Balancé is a ballet move that involves shifting the body's weight from one foot to the other while maintaining a flowing and continuous movement. It is considered one of the most challenging moves due to its complex coordination and balance required.
- Difficulty Level: Advanced
- Execution: Continuous shifting of weight
- Movement Type: Traveling step
- Body Position: Arms in various positions, body slightly tilted
- Footwork: Alternating steps with pointed or flexed feet
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106votesThis is a turn on one leg in which the dancer steps onto the tip of the toe before turning. It requires a great deal of strength, balance, and control, as well as the ability to maintain a straight, vertical axis.Piqué turns are a challenging movement in ballet that involve quickly turning on one leg while the other leg is raised and pointed. They require a combination of strength, balance, and precision.
- Difficulty level: Advanced
- Execution: On relevé (on the balls of the feet)
- Leg position: Working leg is raised and pointed
- Turn direction: Can be performed in various directions (e.g. en dedans or en dehors)
- Entry: Often initiated from a piqué arabesque or piqué passé
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Ranking factors for difficult move
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Technical complexityThe number of steps, positions, and movements involved in the execution of the move should be considered. Moves that require intricate footwork, precise timing, and multiple changes in direction can be more difficult.
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Strength and conditioningEvaluate the level of physical strength, flexibility, and endurance required to perform the move successfully. Some moves may demand greater muscle control or involve movements that put additional strain on the body.
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Balance and stabilityMany ballet moves require maintaining balance in challenging positions or while executing complex turns and leaps. Moves that push the limits of a dancer's balance and stability may be considered more difficult.
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Mastery of techniqueThe level of experience and proficiency required to execute a move with proper form and accuracy should also be considered. Some moves may be more difficult for dancers at certain stages of their training or those who are new to a particular style of ballet.
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Artistic expressionSome moves require not only technical skill but also a high level of artistic interpretation, emotional expression, and musicality. A move that requires the dancer to embody and convey a character or story can be more challenging than one that is purely technical.
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Risk and safetyConsider the potential for injury or mishaps during the execution of the move. Some moves may be more risky or prone to accidents, making them inherently more difficult.
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Partnering and coordinationMoves that involve multiple dancers working together or partnering can also increase the level of difficulty. Dancers must coordinate with each other to perform the move correctly and avoid collisions or other issues.
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Speed and tempoThe speed at which a move is performed can greatly impact its difficulty. Quick or rapid movements that demand fast and accurate footwork can be more challenging than slower, more graceful movements.
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Unique or rare elementsSome ballet moves may be considered more difficult because they are unique to a specific choreographer or style, making them less familiar and harder to master.
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Individual variationLastly, individual dancers may find different moves more difficult based on their body type, strengths, and weaknesses. What may be a challenging move for one dancer might not be as difficult for another, so it's essential to consider the varying abilities and preferences of dancers while ranking ballet moves.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult move in Ballet. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or move is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2277 views
- 196 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each move once every 24 hours. The rank of each move is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
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More information on most difficult move in ballet
Ballet is a highly technical dance form that requires years of training and practice to master. From graceful pirouettes to powerful leaps, ballet dancers are known for their impressive range of movements. However, there are certain moves that are notoriously difficult to perform, even for the most seasoned dancers.
One of the most challenging ballet moves is the fouetté en tournant, which involves a series of rapid turns on one leg while the other leg extends and whips around in a circular motion. Another tricky move is the grand pas de deux, a duet that requires precise synchronization between the male and female dancers. The pas de deux often includes lifts, turns, and intricate footwork, making it a true test of skill and coordination.
Overall, ballet is an art form that demands physical strength, flexibility, and grace. The most difficult moves require a combination of all three, as well as a deep understanding of technique and musicality. Whether you're a seasoned performer or simply a ballet enthusiast, it's easy to appreciate the incredible athleticism and artistry required to master these challenging moves.
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